Quotes About Perspective

I Can See Clearly Now, Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

You can be happier," I said, "by not adding your own opinion to the facts. It is a fact that you lost $200,000. It is your opinion that you are ruined and disgraced.

This common denominator is that the patient has forgotten how, or probably never learned how, to control his present thinking to produce enjoyment.

Since you make them evil or good by your own thoughts about them, it is the ruling of your thoughts which proves to be your principal concern.

The Conquest of Happiness, Bertrand Russell

I then suggested that he memorize a saying of Epictetus, which has always been a favorite of mine: "Men are disturbed not by the things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.

Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings and not count the years.

Gardening gives one back a sense of proportion about everything — except itself.

The minute one utters a certainty, the opposite comes to mind.

We are able to laugh when we achieve detachment, if only for a moment.

I make a mental note to befriend some boring people.

There's a world of difference between truth and facts. Facts can obscure truth.

I've had people explain to me what one of my poems meant, and I've been surprised that it means that to them. If a person can use a poem of mine to interpret her life or his life, good. I can't control that. Nor would I want to.

Most people don't grow up. Most people age. They find parking spaces, honor their credit cards, get married, have children, and call that maturity. What that is, is aging.

My life has been one great big joke A dance that's walked A song that's spoke, I laugh so hard I almost choke When I think about myself.

We really are 15 countries, and it's really remarkable that each of us thinks we represent the real America. The Midwesterner in Kansas, the black American in Durham -- both are certain they are the real American.

I try to give people a different way of looking at their surroundings. That's art to me.

The role of art in society differs for every artist.

Some of your teachers are actually closer in age to you than you think.

I probably spent the first 20 years of my life wanting to be as American as possible. Through my 20s, and into my 30s, I began to become aware of how so much of my art and architecture has a decidedly Eastern character.

Small children are convinced that ponies deserve to see the inside of the house.

novels, like racists, tend to be the same wherever you turn," writes William Giraldi,

This was the story of her life. Men explained things to her that she not only knew, but knew far more about.

I consider myself to have a decent sense of humor. What's life without a sense of humor?