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Bernie Siegel

Bernie Siegel Quotes

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Famous Bernie Siegel Quotes

“Do not be afraid to love. Remember dear old Don Quixote, viewing the world with love. He saw many beautiful things no one else saw. Try being dear Don Quixote for a day. You'll see that love improves your vision and allows you to see more than your eye has ever seen before. But be forewarned: Those who look on the world with love will need a handkerchief, not to use as a blindfold, but to blow their nose and dry their tears.”

WorldLoveNeedsTryingLooksUseEyeBeautifulRememberVisionSawsTearsDearBlowNosesDryBeautiful ThingsHandkerchiefsAfraid To LoveBlindfoldsForewarned
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“I once heard a man say he knew there was a God, he just didn't think he needed Him. It is nice to take care of yourself and be independent, but it is also nice to know that you have a resource to rely on in times of need. If you are used to fending entirely for yourself, then when a catastrophe occurs you will expend a lot of energy looking for help at a time when you need your energy looking for help at a time when you need your energy for creative work.”

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Author:Bernie Siegel
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“You cannot fail at being yourself. A cat doesn't try to be a tiger, and you shouldn't try to be something you aren't. You are a process, not a product. Your job is to discover what you are and create that creature. You still won't be perfect, but success isn't about perfection-it is about authenticity. You are a success if you are being your real, authentic self.”

IfsTryingStillsRealSelfJobsSuccessProcessPerfectFailingProductsCreaturesPerfectionCatAuthenticityBeing YourselfTigersAuthentic Self
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“When you accept that you are not in charge of everything, you can begin to work with the one who really is in charge. This has been my experience; when I accepted that I was not in charge and started to work with someone else's plan, the Boss showed up. Now we are a team and I have less to be concerned about. He organizes my schedule. I just follow it, and when He is taking a day off my wife steps in.”

Has BeensAcceptingStepsWifePlansTeamAcceptanceConcernedMy WifeAcceptedBossOrganizeSchedulesDays Off
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Be grateful simply for being alive. When you are grateful for life, pure and simple, your life becomes one you can be grateful for. That may strike you as circular or even backward logic, but your attitude really does have an effect on how things work out. When you can't change your life any other way, you can still change your attitude. When you do, your life changes. You find more chances to love, and you will be surprised to see how much more love is returned to you.”

WayMayDoeStillsChanceSimpleLove IsAttitudeAliveEffectsPureLogicGratefulWork OutStrikesLife ChangingBe GratefulThanksgivingChanging Your LifeCan't ChangeChange Your AttitudeThings Work OutGrateful For Life
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“You may have heard about living today, tomorrow, or "tonow." Tonow, children tell us, is a gift, which is why we call it "the present." Children understand that tonow is the place to live. The present is really the only moment we have. Sure, bad things can happen in the tonow. But when bad things happen to children, they show us the way again, because they know how to be in touch with their feelings and needs.”

KnowsWayNeedsMayChildrenMomentsShowsFeelingsHappensTodayKnow HowHeardTomorrowThings HappenBad ThingsPlaces To LiveBad Things HappenWhen Bad Things Happen
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Remember this: Now is the only time you have. When God created the universe, it was now. You can't say to creation and energy, "I'll do it later, not now." Later doesn't exist. Creation doesn't know anything but now. Whenever you get around to doing what you want to do, it will be now. The things you need to do to live a happier, more fulfilling life-the only time you can possible start doing them is now.”

KnowsWantNeedsRememberUniverseEnergyCreationWhat You WantFulfillingOnly TimeFulfilling LifeDoing What You Want
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“Bobby and I were married in 1954 and by now we know that anger does not mean "I don't love you" or "I want a divorce." It means, "I am wounded and in need of love, and I feel safe telling you about it because you are my family." Sometimes our behavior with each other is no different from the cry of an unattended baby.”

KnowsWantNeedsFeelsMeanDoeDifferentSometimesLove YouCryBabySafeBehaviorMarriedMy FamilyAngerDivorceWoundedI Don't Love You
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“If nothing has helped you decide, go ask a child. Children know what they need, and more surprisingly, the know what we need. Adults think. Kids respond with their feelings. They don't think about what you will think of their answer, so they just speak the truth-if you can get to them before junior high school age. At that time, they grow up, stop feeling loved, become depressed and start thinking-and what they are thinking about worries me.”

IfsThinkingKnowsNeedsChildrenFeelingsKidsAgeSchoolAsksSpeakGrowsAnswersWorryGrowing UpHigh SchoolAdultsJuniorsSpeak The TruthJunior HighHigh School Junior
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Life is full of painful events, and people who have lost their way and hurt others. Our pain is not lessened when we respond with hatred. In fact, the opposite occurs: When we hate people who hurt us, we come to resemble what we hate, or worse, and then we suffer all the more. What is evil is our response. We have choices, and love is the most powerful eliminator of all.”

PeopleWayFactsPainLife IsSufferingHateChoicesEvilLostHurtLove IsPowerfulEventsHatredOppositesAnd LoveResponsePainfulMost PowerfulHate People
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Studies of volunteers have shown there is a benefit to performing acts of love for other people. The irony is that it is actually in your best interest to be selfless. The things you do for the benefit of others not only make you feel fulfilled, they increase your chances of living a long and happy life. Remember that an act of love always benefits at least two people.”

PeopleFeelsLongTwoRememberInterestChanceStudyBenefitsIncreaseIronyPerformingHappy LifeSelflessFulfilledVolunteerActs Of LoveLove AlwaysHelpfulness
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“The inexplicable happens all the time. It makes more sense to simply accept things we observe but cannot understand. It is really more scientific to keep an open mind. Until we can understand and explain the things we now label miracles, let us accept them and try to create more of them.”

TryingMindHappensAcceptingMiracleLabelsOpen MindInexplicableKeep An Open Mind
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“If something controls you in a way that puzzles you, think of it as a mystery. Mysteries are best approached by closing your eyes and mouth to experience darkness and silence. I find new and healing images in that dark, silent place away from emotions that control me. Do not be afraid to close your eyes and be silent in prayer, meditation, rest or sleep. In those states you may rediscover a new self. Then your life, time and thoughts will become yours again and you can live your unique myth.”

IfsThinkingWayMaySelfStatesEyeDarkPrayerSleepEmotionHealingSilenceDarknessMeditationMysteryUniqueMouthsSilentMythPuzzlesClosingLife TimeNew SelfClosing Your Eyes
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Love and kindness are the basis of my religious beliefs. The rituals and outward signs are not as important as one's actions and deeds. Religion should be a path to God, not something to fight about.”

ShouldImportantActionReligionFightingBeliefReligiousKindnessPathBasesDeedsRitualLove And KindnessReligious Belief
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“It's hard to carry a child around with you, but fortunately, in most cases, you don't have to ask a child for directions if you have a well-chosen role model ready to guide you. This is the next prescription: Take one role model, as often as needed. Set aside a few minutes today to fill this prescription so you will have it handy when you need it. Think now about who your role models have been. What do they offer? Who else do you admire, and exactly what do you admire about them? Have your roster of role models ready and waiting to help you the next time you are perplexed.”

IfsThinkingNeedsWellsChildrenHas BeensHardHelpingTodayNextAsksWaitingRolesCasesMinutesReadyNeededOffersModelsGuidesChosenAdmireRole ModelsNext TimePrescriptionsHandyRutsPerplexedRosters
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Do not go looking for problems to feed your soul. Just let life be your teacher. It will nourish you with its inevitable difficulties. How will you know whether you are letting life teach you and nourish you? If your physical senses become more sensitive to the beauty you see, the words of love you hear, and the life you feel touching your body and soul, then you know you have discovered the great value of misfortune.”

IfsKnowsFeelsSoulProblemBodyLife IsSpiritValuesTeachTeacherLove YouDifficultyYour BodySensesInevitableYour SoulSensitiveMisfortunesTouchingGreat ValueLife TeachesYour Body And Soul
Book:Prescriptions For Living: Inspirational Lessons for a Joyful, Loving Life
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“What thoughts are so important that it is worth holding on to them even when they make you miserable? Why are you holding on? You are in charge of your thoughts and feelings. If you are willing to search for the reason that you can't let go of disturbing thoughts, you can learn about yourself and restore your own peace of mind.”

IfsMindImportantReasonFeelingsWillingLetting GoMiserablePeace Of MindAbout YourselfDisturbingHolding OnThoughts And FeelingsCan't Let Go
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“As one woman told me, "When I decided to come in to work happy, everybody around me became happy." This woman had decided to quit a job she hated, and on the last day of her two weeks' notice, she woke up happy. At the end of the day, she noticed that everybody around her was happy, too- so she didn't quit after all. She decided to come to work happy instead. Two years later, she's still on the job, radiating happiness and love.”

YearsStillsTwoEndsJobsLastsWorkWeekDecidedAnd LoveQuittingHatedThe End Of The DayTwo YearsTwo WeeksOne WomanLast DayHappiness And Love
Author:Bernie Siegel
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