“She had thought it would be easy from there. It wasn’t. It was simple, but not easy. There was joy, but terror, too, as though stepping back from a ship’s helm and letting the journey go. It sounded romantic enough until being dashed to pieces against the rocks. It was the loveliest tiny moments that would drench Helen in happiness, like when Lyric was nestled in the crook of her arm, resisting falling asleep. Helen had brushed a finger down the child’s nose. Her drowsy eyes had fluttered yet followed Helen’s finger, going cross-eyed just as Helen reached the nose tip. For a moment, the joy and love saturated everything.”
Source: The Ocean's Daughter :
“The sky was clear and the beat of the waves was almost hypnotic as Helen hung clothes on the line, watching Lyric through the flutters of dresses and blouses. In the child’s outfit of purple, she stood out against the churning waves. Each day, Lyric played in the ocean as if it was her first and last. As though she’d never seen water before, or as though tomorrow it would die and be gone. Its wonder never wore on her and Helen marveled at that, at how many things in this world would leave us utterly astounded if we weren’t so terribly used to them. Fire. Soap. Flavor in food. Though Lyric hadn’t smiled since that first day in the waves, Helen could see the child’s awe whenever she was shown something new. Her eyes would widen, and she’d give a quick gasp. Without a word, the girl had shown Helen how everything was a miracle, everything was sacred.”
Source: The Ocean's Daughter :
“Lives that flash in sunshine, and lives that are born in tears, receive their hue from circumstances. None of us know what a year may bring forth.”
Source: Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl
“Easter is joy, hope, love, and renewal.
Easter is proof that we can begin again.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“When I’m depressed, I read Caeiro — he’s my fresh air. I become very calm, content, faithful — yes, I find faith in God, and in the soul’s transcendent living smallness, after reading the poems by that ungodly anti-humanist who goes unsurpassed on earth.”
“Yesterday I was seeking happiness for myself and I was miserable, today I seek it for others and I am the happiest person on earth.”
Source: Servitude is Sanctitude
“Good day, be grateful. Bad day, be graceful. Be grateful, be graceful, and on it goes.”
Source: Recipes for a Sacred Life: True Stories and a Few Miracles
“Look back with joy. Look forward with hope. Be present with peace.”
Source: Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace
“The Holy Ghost is peace. Christ is joy. God is love.”
Source: Being Bold: Quotes, Poetry, & Motivations for Every Day of the Year
“Anticipate beauty. Believe in miracles. Count on grace. Decide on joy. Expect peace.”
Source: Every Day Spirit: A Daybook of Wisdom, Joy and Peace