“The real trap, however, is self-rejection. As soon as someone accuses me or criticizes me, as soon as I am rejected, left alone, or abandoned, I find myself thinking, "Well, that proves once again that I am a nobody." ... [My dark side says,] I am no good... I deserve to be pushed aside, forgotten, rejected, and abandoned. Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the 'Beloved.' Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.”
"A waiting person is a patient person. The word patience means the willingness to stay where we are and live the situation out to the full in the belief that something hidden there will manifest itself to us."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Awareness
"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing it every day."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Happiness
"In this crazy world, there’s an enormous distinction between good times and bad, between sorrow and joy. But in the eyes of God, they’re never separated. Where there is pain, there is healing. Where there is mourning, there is dancing. Where there is poverty, there is the kingdom."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Faith
"The spiritual life does not remove us from the world but leads us deeper into it."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Spirituality
"The question is not 'How am I to find God?' but 'How am I to let myself be found by him?' The question is not 'How am I to know God?' but “How am I to let myself be known by God?' And, finally, the question is not 'How am I to love God?' but 'How am I to let myself be loved by God?' God is looking into the distance for me, trying to find me, and longing to bring me home."
- Henri J.M. Nouwen
Spirituality
"Perhaps we all see ourselves as a little less than we are. Unworthy. Untalented. Nothing special. Lacking the heart, mind, resources, charisma, or stature to be of much use to God. You say you’re not perfect? You’re not good enough? Welcome to the club! You may be just the person God is looking for. God doesn’t need you to be exceptional, let alone perfect. He will take your talents and abilities and multiply them—even though they may seem scarce as a few loaves and fishes. If you trust Him and are faithful, He will magnify your words and actions and use them to bless and minister to multitudes!"
Belief in Self
"I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions."
- Stephen R. Covey
Belief in Self
"The only one who can tell you ‘you can’t win’ is you, and you don’t have to listen."
- Jessica Ennis
Belief in Self
"If you think you can’t, change your mind."
- Denis Morton
Belief in Self
"I am Superman. And the only thing that can kill Superman is Kryptonite. And Kryptonite doesn't exist."
- Shaquille O'Neal
Belief in Self