Saturday, February 26, 2011

Something about self-acceptance

Artist: John Singer Sargent

You know, I agree with this:

I don't like people who have never fallen or stumbled. Their virtue is lifeless and it isn't of much value. Life hasn't revealed its beauty to them.

~Boris Pasternak

So why do people beat themselves up so badly because they've fallen or stumbled? That saddens me when I observe it. I wonder if they realize that they would not be very likeable at all if they were as perfect as they wish to be.
~~~

8 comments:

  1. touching reminder, thank you- & wonderfully paired with the painting image.

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  2. I'm definitely a believer in the value of falling stumbling. : ) I've done my share of both and am now the more righteous for it. ; ) Ha! I agree with Kara about how well the painting goes with the thought.

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  3. Thanks, Kara and Tom.

    I really love the process of looking for a good painting to go with the quotations I post. I don't always succeed the way I hope to but I truly enjoy it all the same.

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  4. Oh! Something you wrote a month ago or so led me to believe you weren't choosing the paintings that go with the quotes. I'm glad we said more and that you clarified that. For my part the paintings and how well they often fit the quotes are the best thing about your blog. You must have said something about how the quotes are selected, from another site or something. Maybe you could say a little more your process in creating the blog.

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  5. I forgot to mention that, because of this blog, I'm being exposed to a lot of art, poetry and meditative prose that I might not ever see otherwise. Also, for this not so ardent fan of touring art galleries or reading poetry or even non-fiction, your blog is probably much better than the questionable effects of a one-a-day vitamin for my body. It is a simple elixir to treat my often lazy spirit and intellect and to increase my exposure and appreciation for art and culture. And it does have the advantage of coming in small enough doses for me to easily digest. ; )

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  6. Hmmm. That's odd. I must not have expressed myself skillfully.

    Well, I just love browsing over at Wikimedia Commons where almost all the images are under a "share and share alike" license. I have a special folder in which I save paintings I like for future use when I just happen upon them.

    Also, when I'm looking for something particular I'll often pick a word to use in the site's internal search engine. I think for this one I started off with the word "falling". Then I just follow where that leads me.

    Sometimes, I think about the style or the period that seems to go best with the thought I'm trying to express and I'll go to "watercolors" or "twentieth century" and just browse. A lot of the quality of my success depends on how much time I have to devote. Sometimes when I'm in something of a rush I settle on something that will do but that I don't think is as appropriate as I would wish. I tend to do my best on Fridays (my day off) and Sundays (usually a lot of extra time.)

    I'm so glad this blog has turned out to be an elixir for you, Tom!

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  7. I really like the quote as well, partly because it makes me feel accepted, as I have certainly fallen and stumbled more times than I care to admit.

    there is something very compassionate about this quote...
    annie c

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  8. I'm glad you like it, Annie. I'm with you on this one - definitely. Both in terms of having stumbled and fallen many times and also experiencing the quote as very compassionate.

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