Quotes About Growth

As long as this child within is not allowed to become aware of what happened to him or her, a part of his or her emotional life will remain frozen, and sensitivity to the humiliations of childhood will therefore be dulled.

It was really hard too, because I always had a lot of feeling. You know, when I was little I used to pray to God that I'd grow up fast so I wouldn't feel anymore

All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter into another! — Anatole France

We carry our wounds and perhaps even worse, our capacity to wound, forward with us. If we learn not only to tell our stories but to listen to what our stories tell us ... we are doing the work of memory.

People are not perfect... very often the relationships that are strongest are those where people have worked through big crises, but they've had to work through them. So the challenge to us is to work through that.

The central character is an incomplete package of yearning that takes the length of the novel to complete. Completion, though, is not to be confused with perfection.

The hardest part about changing the new year is changing ourselves. We have to write each day differently than last year's days. If we do, we increase the chances we won't meet with last year's disappointments. Patricia Hickman

How was it possible to be afraid and in love... The two things did not go together. How was it possible to be afraid, when the two of them grew stronger together every day? And every night. Every night was different, and every morning. Together they possessed a miracle.

How can she learn if you don't give her the chance to experience what she can do?

Let it happen to you now and you'll have learnt something that most people never have the courage to learn. Not to hold on. Not to cling. Because we can possess nothing but ourselves. Learn it now and you won't grow up thinking that other people can be possessed and owned. It'll stop you from breaking yourself over a false idea of love. To love someone is to let them be themselves.

Am I acting like the person I most want to be? If not, what can I do to act like that person? Answer: Improve (make it a little better), appreciate, connect, or protect. Am I being the partner I want to be? If not, what can I do to be that kind of partner? Answer: Improve (make it a little better), appreciate, connect, or protect.

If we don't manage our feelings, thoughts, actions, and patterns, they operate on automatic and can sabotage our dreams, place stress on our personal and professional relationships, and distract us from our goals. Just as we need lots of practice to learn to ride a bike and to speak a second language, we need practice to become skillful at managing our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and patterns.

Sometimes it was best to make a change, and sometimes the only way to make a change was to be forced into it.

Life is not a straight line, she said. And sometimes we circle back to a past time. But we are not the same. We are changed forever.

I remember years ago when you first came here. I took a picture of you and Jacob and Caleb--he was little then. And Anna. And the dogs." He looked at Lottie and Nick. "They're a little older now." "We all are," said Mama. "Anna married Justin this past week." "So I heard," said Joshua. Joshua shook Grandfather's hand. "Hello, John," he said. "I'm older, too," said Grandfather with a smile.

Out of our writer mouths Will come clouds Rising to the sky Dropping rain words below. And when the clouds leave The sun will shine down word After word After word Planting our stories in the earth. —Russell

I want most of all for you to forgive Grandfather. I want you to forgive Grandfather so I can grow up and be just like you.

What happened last night was my fault," I said. "I put up the rope, Sarah. I must have done it wrong." "Fault?" said Sarah. "Oh, Caleb, I want you to listen to me. There comes a time when fault doesn't matter. Things happen. And we can't blame ourselves--or someone else--forever." I heard a noise behind me, and saw Papa standing there, Cassie beside him. I knew he had heard Sarah's words.

I nod yes-no-yes-no and run back to Ama, afraid to tell her about this new auntie who smells of amber and jasmine and possibility.

Patricia McLinn

The Church would impoverish Herself to the degree that She refused to tap this richness.

Connection with gardens, even small ones, even potted plants, can become windows to the inner life. The simple act of stopping and looking at the beauty around us can be prayer.

When you help folks solve their problems, don't be surprised if you solve your own.

I'd go to school and walk up to people. "A new leaf," I said.