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Bernie Siegel

Bernie Siegel Quotes

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Famous Bernie Siegel Quotes

“If none of your role models provide the answer, then it is time to go within and ask yourself, "What would make me happy?" In other words, let your feelings guide you. This doesn't work well if you focus narrowly on your personal needs. I am not talking about selfishness or self-interest. When I ask, What will make you happy?, I mean, What way of loving others feels right for you? Choose a way of loving that makes you happy, and your efforts will be play rather than work.”

IfsWayNeedsFeelsWellsMeanSelfPlayFeelingsAsksInterestAnswersEffortTalkingRolesFocusModelsGuidesSelfishnessRole ModelsYou ChooseSelf InterestMake You HappyMake Me HappyNot TalkingFeels RightLoving OthersPersonal Needs
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“To paraphrase something the anthropologist Ashley Montagu once said, the way I change my life is to act as if I'm the person I want to be. This is, to me, the simplest, wisest advice you can give anyone. When you wake up and act like a loving person, you realize not only that you are altered, but that the people around you are also transformed, because everybody is changed by the reception of this love.”

PeopleIfsWayWantGivingPersonsSaidLife IsRealizingAdviceLove YouChangedWake UpTransformedSimplestWisestAlteredReceptionChanging My LifeAnthropologistsParaphraseLoving PersonAshley
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Some spiritual traditions view the moment of birth as a passage from a state of wholeness and knowledge to a state of forgetting. In this view of the world, we spend the rest of our lives searching for wholeness and knowledge, wellness and health-the balance and harmony we lost when we were born. If our wholeness is interrupted, then our health suffers, and we need to find a way to restore our sense of meaning. When we move in the direction of that meaning, we're healing.”

IfsWorldWayNeedsStatesMomentsSpiritualMovingSufferingLostBornForgetViewsHealingOur LivesBirthBalanceTraditionHarmonyWellnessPassagesWholenessInterruptedBalance And Harmony
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“Today I am amazed at the things our children have done and their wide range of interests. They are all living their lives and not the ones I would have planned for them. But I have learned that their lives are theirs, not mine, and in living their own lives they have given me experiences and an education I would never have had if I'd been fool enough to make them do what I thought they should do.”

IfsShouldChildrenDoneEnoughTodayGivenInterestMinesFoolLetting GoOur ChildrenWideRangeI Have LearnedAmazed
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“You can find examples of how little we value ourselves everywhere you look. The signs on the front of the convenience stores where Stephen lives in Florida tell the story. Beer, ice, bread and milk are the big come-ons. The order of the words varies, but beer and ice are always two of the top four staples for sale. If we were all taking care of ourselves, wouldn't the convenience stores compete for our dollars with signs that read "Fruit, Vegetables, Bread, Milk"?”

IfsLooksLittlesTwoStoriesBigsCareValuesOrderFourFrontsExampleHealthDollarsFruitStoresBreadIceBeerVegetablesMilkFloridaConvenienceVaryStaples
Author:Bernie Siegel
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“I am convinced that unconditional love is the most powerful known stimulant of the immune system. If I told patients to raise their blood levels of immune globulins or killer T cells, no one would know how. But if I can teach them to love themselves and others fully, the same changes happen automatically. The truth is: love heals.”

IfsKnowsLoveI CanHappensTruthChangeLove IsLevelsPowerfulHealingKnownTeachKnow HowKnowingBloodTruth IsTransformationRaisesPatientConvincedHealCellsChanging The WorldMost PowerfulUnconditional LoveInspirational LoveLove YourselfKillersUnconditionalMaking ChangesImmuneSurgeonsImmune SystemMeaning Of LoveStimulantsLove HealsPowerful Love
Author:Bernie Siegel
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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.”

IfsThinkingKnowsMenNeedsGodHelpingCareUsedEnergyCreativeNiceHeardNeededResourcesIndependentTake CareRelyCatastropheCreative WorkTake Care Of YourselfTime Of NeedLooking For Help
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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“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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“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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“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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