But whence it should come to pass, that a mind enriched with the knowledge of so many things should not become more quick and sprightly, and that a gross and vulgar understanding should lodge within it, without correcting and improving itself, all the discourses and judgments of the greatest minds the world ever had, I am yet to seek. —Michele Montaigne, Of Pedantry
Deathbed
“On your deathbed, you would do anything, pay anything for one more ordinary evening. For one more car ride to school with your children. For one more juicy peach. For one more hour on a park bench. Yet here you are, experiencing any number of those things, and rushing through it. Or brushing it off. Or complaining about it because it’s hot or there is traffic or because of some alert that just popped up on your phone....
Goals
“No matter how many goals you have achieved, you must set your sights on a higher one.” —Jessica Savitch
Enthusiasm
“Busy is a decision. We do the things we want to do, period. If we say we are too busy, it is just shorthand for the thing being “not important enough” or “not a priority.” Busy is not a badge. You don’t find the time to make things, you make the time to do things.” —Debbie Millman
Enthusiasm
“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about.” —Charles Kingsley
Reputation
“Every transaction is paid for at least three times. First, with the money you pay. Second, with the time you spend. Third, with the reputation you create through your behavior. Being pleasant, reliable, and easy to work with might cost you a little more time. Perhaps even a bit of extra money. But the long-term returns from a great reputation usually outweigh the cost of a single transaction. Most of the value in life and in business arises out of good relationships....
Keep your eyes open
“People say you have to travel to see the world. Sometimes I think that if you just stay in one place and keep your eyes open, you’re going to see just about all that you can handle.” —Paul Auster
Make a difference
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall
Balance
“Life is about balance. Be kind, but don’t let people abuse you. Trust, but don’t be deceived. Be content, but never stop improving yourself.” —Zig Ziglar
The Trees
The Trees by Percival Everett is a novel that takes on the history of lynching in the United States of America through the lenses of minority police officers and stereotypical White do-gooders with a healthy dose of satire aimed at the worst leaders that the country has ever had. Everett writes with perfect pacing and surfaces many uncomfortable truths with superb dialogue. This is a book that every American should read....