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Thursday, December 1, 2011

Points to Ponder - On Waking Up, Courage and Happy Vegetables

As we move towards the end of the year, I am finding that I require more effort than usual to get out of the bed and go to work. My mind and body needs a break but work schedule does not allow it. I generally feel disinterested, and even tired, and cannot do the stuff that I would ordinarily do effortless, without some concerted effort. But to keep me going, there are 3 brilliant points to ponder that I have kept in mind. So let me share, you never know who else might need a push as I do at the moment.

Courage is no more than cussed stubbornness, and I have plenty of that. It means getting up each day and doing what you have to, going on when circumstances let you down, pushing ahead when others hold you back... Lamar Dodd

I have always felt that the moment when first you wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the 24 hours. No matter how weary you feel, you possess the certainty that anything may happen. The fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not one jot. The possibility is there. Monica Baldwin in I Leap Over The Wall

People need trouble - a little frustration to sharpen the spirit on, toughen it. Artists do, I don't mean you need to live in a rat hole or gutter, but you have to learn fortitude, endurance. Only vegetables are happy - William Faulkner

I actually think I want to be like this!

Do you have an interesting passage that pushes you on when you don't feel like it? Please share
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17 comments:

  1. AnonymousDecember 1, 2011 at 11:27 PM

    I rather like the Monica Baldwin quote.

    I think winter always makes people feel a little low, coupled with the end of the year and the realistaion that you haven't achieved all you set out to do on 1st January ...

    Thanks for the book tip. I will look out for that one, I checked the write up on-line and it looks good.

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  2. JoyfulDecember 2, 2011 at 1:27 AM

    I think we all go through what you're going through when we need a break from the busyness of life. Sounds like you need a holiday but in the meantime need to forge ahead. Make sure to get some good rest, relax at night after work and eat healthy. If you can, work a little exercise (walk) into your working day. That will all help.

    At times in life when things have been especially hard (not just the day to day stresses), I've let this poem be my inspiration. I had a copy of it printed on a fridge magnet. It helped me before I finished university and wasn't sure how my life would really go forward for better or for worse. I'm glad to say it turned out well enough ;-)

    Don’t Quit (Anonymous)

    When things go wrong,
    as they sometimes will,
    When the road you’re trudging
    seems uphill,
    When the funds are low and
    the debts are high,
    and you want to smile,
    but you have to sigh,
    When care is pressing you down a bit,
    Rest, if you must . . . but don’t you quit.

    Success is failure turned inside out,
    The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.
    And you never can tell
    how close you are,
    It may be near when it seems afar.

    So, stick to the fight
    when you’re hardest hit . . .
    It’s when things go wrong
    that you mustn’t quit.

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  3. untonytoDecember 2, 2011 at 2:08 PM

    This post has proved quite useful to me right now.

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  4. carolkmailDecember 2, 2011 at 2:44 PM

    I know that feeling. That's why I invented 3 things (you'd have to kill me to find out what they are :P) that ground me. Things that I tend to every single day no matter how tired, discouraged or disinterested in everything I am. Once I get these done, then I'm able to move around, happy that at least I have done what matters. It does give me the mental stimulation I need to get through the day's drudgery :)

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  5. MisstariiDecember 4, 2011 at 6:50 AM

    Joyful's 'Don't Quit' poem is one of those encouraging words that i recite every other morning since highschool. I even had it posted on my wall in campus.

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  6. OtienoHongoDecember 5, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    Kenyansista and Joyful, that is one of my favourite inspirational poem, did a post about it sometimes last year

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  7. OtienoHongoDecember 5, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Carol, I will kill you one of these days to find out what you invented

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  8. JoyfulDecember 7, 2011 at 12:59 AM

    Wonderful that so many of us have been encouraged and touched by "Don't Quit". It is a reminder of how powerful words can be to inspire us, motivate us, comfort us....A wonderful Christmas season to you Charles and all your readers :-)

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  9. woolieDecember 11, 2011 at 12:20 PM

    Great comments and I guess this post inspires one to look closer and to understand that real energy comes from within.

    I sometimes read the book of Matthew and I like the verse at the end of chapter 11 which goes...."Come to me all ye who are weary and carrying a heavy burden. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me for I am gentle and humble in spirit and you will find rest for your souls for my yoke is easy and my burden is light..."

    Happy Jamhuri and best wishes for Christmas and the new year

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  10. OtienoHongoDecember 14, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    You are welcome Woolie and thanks for sharing the verse. Enjoy your Christmas!

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  11. Shiko-MsaDecember 20, 2011 at 10:39 AM

    Happy hols Bwana Hongo and all your readers.

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  12. OtienoHongoDecember 22, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Happy hols to you too Shiko!

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  13. JoyfulDecember 27, 2011 at 1:54 AM

    I meant to leave a message before Christmas but time got the better of me. I hope you had a very pleasant day with family and loved ones. I wish the best for you and your household for the rest of this year and the new year to come. May God truly bless you.

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  14. Project 44December 29, 2011 at 9:26 AM

    I like the positive outlook in this post and the comments. 'Don't Quit' is a good one and those vegetables look happy!

    Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant. - Robert Louis Stevenson

    Happy New Year!

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  15. OtienoHongoJanuary 3, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    Hey Joyful and Project 44, thanks for the wishes. I wish you all (and all my readers) a prosperous 2012!

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  16. S. Susan DeborahJanuary 4, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Different thoughts at different times spur me on. But mostly, I look up to the promises in the Bible and strengthen myself.

    Joy always and a very happy New Year to you and yours, dear OtienoHongo.

    ~Susan Deborah

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  17. Shiko-MsaJanuary 24, 2012 at 2:47 PM

    Mr. Otieno. Its new year. Wake up and entertain us!

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