Quotes from Karen Casey

Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.

There is never anything to change but our own perspective.

Life is a series of lessons. Crises can be seen as the homework. They aren't there to defeat us but to help us grow—to graduate us into the next stage of life.

The first few times we make the choice to "be peaceful rather than right," it feels like denial. But with practice it will become the preferred choice.

Love is the mortar that holds the human structure together.

Sit quietly for a moment upon awakening and visualize who you want to be for the day. That will become a practice that can change your life considerably.

To wait for someone else, or to expect someone else to make my life richer, or fuller, or more satisfying, puts me in a constant state of suspension; and I miss all those moments that pass. They never come back to be experienced again. —Kathleen Tierney Crilly

Consciously choosing to be peaceful isn't always easy. In fact, inside we might feel agitated, at first. But acting as if you feel peace is a beginning. Give it a try today. Your attempt will be felt far and wide.

The weariest night, the longest day, sooner or later must perforce come to an end. —Baroness Orczy

Our security, once and for all, lies with no one but God and our relationship with Him. And we need not be obsessed with that relationship for it to give us peace. We need do little more than seek to know God better for the grace to come.

It's tricky business trying to place blame. For when we judge someone else's behavior, we quickly come into conflict with our own.

Detachment is a gift to each of us, really. Whether we are detaching from others or they from us, it's a show of respect every time. To not allow others, or to not be allowed, to make personal choices limits our growth. Our time here is purposeful. If we steer others in a direction that's not right for them now, time is wasted, lessons are postponed, and opportunities are missed.

If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to see every problem as a nail. —Abraham Maslow

The bottom line is that I am responsible for my own well-being, my own happiness. The choices and decisions I make regarding my life directly influence the quality of my days. —Kathleen Andrus

Parents can only give good advice or put them on the right paths, but the final forming of a person's character lies in their own hands. —Anne Frank

How comforting to know that all answers are as close as our quiet moments. God never chooses to keep the answers from us. We simply fail to quiet our thoughts long enough to heed them. Our minds race, obsessively, all too often. We jump from one scenario to another, one fear to another, one emotion to another. And each time our thoughts capture a new focus, we push the answer we seek further into the background.

In a moment of imagined separation, we become self-conscious and self-absorbed, and we assume we are less worthy than every other person we encounter. We want to hide out and yet be noticed. When this happens to nations of people, wars start.

Variety in experiences is necessary for our continued growth. We mistakenly think that the "untroubled" life would be forever welcome. It's the deep waves of life that teach us to be better swimmers.

The game of life is a game of boomerangs. Our thoughts, deeds and words, return to us sooner or later, with astounding accuracy. —Florence Scovel Shin

Our boundaries are blurred when our desire to be loved and needed by others seduces us into becoming overly involved in their lives. Or when we find ourselves overly committed with tasks and social engagements—even ones we enjoy. We must remember we need time alone, time for the stillness within to nurture us.

Self-pity is a parasite that feeds on itself. Many of us are inclined toward self-pity, not allowing for the balance of life's natural tragedies. We will face good and bad times—and they will pass. With certainty they will pass.

Change your mind and your life will follow.

Gratitude for the many blessings that recovery has brought even further heightens our enthusiasm for living.

Detachment is simply watching the events that are unfolding around you, getting involved only when your journey is part of the experience.