Mark T. Sullivan > Quotes

“You know, my young friend, I will be ninety years old next year, and life is still a constant surprise to me. We never know what will happen next, what we will see, and what important person will come into our life, or what important person we will lose. Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always a drama, if not a tragedy. But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“How do you find happiness?” Anna paused, then said, “You start by looking right around you for the blessings you have.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“The best thing is to grieve for the people you loved and lost, and then welcome and love the new people life puts in front of you.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“By opening our hearts, revealing our scars, we are made human and flawed and whole.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Nothing in life worth doing is easy,”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“It all made Pino realize that the earth did not know war, that nature would go on no matter what horror one man might inflict on another. Nature didn’t care a bit about men and their need to kill and conquer.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Sometimes happiness comes to us. But usually you have to seek it out.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Some loves never die.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Do what I sometimes do when I get scared: imagine you’re someone else, someone who’s far braver and smarter.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“The distance doesn’t matter. Just think about your next step.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Maybe that’s all it takes for the future to exist, Pino thought. You must imagine it first. You must dream it first.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Isn’t it strange how life is always taking you to places and to people you’re supposed to see and meet?”
― Mark T. Sullivan

“Someone very wise once told me that by opening our hearts, revealing our scars, we are made human and flawed and whole.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“We never know what will happen next, what we will see, and what important person will come into our life, or what important person we will lose. Life is change, constant change, and unless we are lucky enough to find comedy in it, change is nearly always a drama, if not a tragedy. But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed. And we must have faith in God, and in the Universe, and in a better tomorrow, even if that faith is not always deserved.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Faith is a strange creature,” Schuster said. “Like a falcon that nests year after year in the same place, but then flies away, sometimes for years, only to return again, stronger than ever.” “I don’t know if it will ever return for me.” “It will. In time. Why don’t you come with me now? We’ll get you fed, and I’ll find a place for you to spend the night.” Pino thought about that, and then shook his head, saying, “I’ll come off the roof with you, My Lord Cardinal, but I think I’ll slip out after dark, go home to my family.” Schuster paused, and then said, “As you wish, my son. Bless you, and go with God.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“how can you survive what life throws at you if you cannot laugh and love, and are they not the same thing?”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“The Alps had taught him not to fret and whine at difficult circumstances. It was a waste of energy.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Don’t chew on the bad things that happen to you, dear. Try to see the beauty in every cruelty. It sets you free. Forgive hurt if you want to heal a broken heart. Try to be grateful for every setback or tragedy, because by living through them, you become stronger.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, The Last Green Valley

“The small luxuries of life are how we survive what the mind can’t fathom.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“To be young and in love. Isn’t it remarkable that something like that can happen in the middle of a war? It says something about the inherent goodness of life, despite all the evil we’ve seen.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Faith is a strange creature,” Schuster said. “Like a falcon that nests year after year in the same place, but then flies away, sometimes for years, only to return again, stronger than ever.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“our job in life is to endure, to be kind, and to constantly put the past behind us and not dwell too much on the future. If you must look back, try to find the beauty and the benefit in every cruelty done to you. If you must think about the future, try to have no expectations about it. Trust in God to guide you through.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, The Last Green Valley

“But after everything, and even when the skies turn scarlet and threatening, I still believe that if we are lucky enough to be alive, we must give thanks for the miracle of every moment of every day, no matter how flawed. And we must have faith in God, and in the Universe, and in a better tomorrow, even if that faith is not always deserved.” “Pino”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Alberto Ascari says there have been atrocities, Father,” Pino said. “The Nazis have killed priests helping Jews. They’ve pulled them right off the altar while they were saying Mass.” “We have heard that, too,” the priest said. “But we can’t stop loving our fellow man, Pino, because we’re frightened. If we lose love, all is lost. We just have to get smarter.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“You fear that change will change that inner person. In the extreme, the change you fear most is death. But it could be as trivial as changing jobs. But fear is fear, and like the other forms of suffering, it disconnects you from the powers of your ancestors and the universe.” Anthony had frowned, confused. The dying shopkeeper had shifted uncomfortably before he said, “Have you ever made a good decision while you were afraid?” “Many times, in battle.” “I would suggest those were reactions. I’m talking about having the time to make a good decision. If you were afraid, did you make a good one?” After thinking about that a moment, Anthony shook his head. “How could you? You were disconnected. If you are connected, you will make a good decision. Get it?” Anthony had nodded and listened as Mr. Mabior told him, “Extinguish the suffering of Fear by closing your eyes, breathing deep, and saying seven times, ‘I am you. You are me. We are one.’ And when you are done, you’ll take seven more deep breaths, and say, ‘I am one with all that ever was or will be. And I will be cared for.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, All the Glimmering Stars

“All great things come from love, don’t they?” “I guess they do,” Anna said, and looked away. “The worst things, too.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Sometimes you just have to have faith.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“You decide; then you act. You choose faith; then you walk through the door.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, The Last Green Valley

“It’s all I really want—happiness, every day for the rest of my life. Sometimes happiness comes to us. But usually you have to seek it out.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky

“Pino’s head swung slowly back and forth. “But where will I go to . . .” “See her?” his father said. “You go to where you were both happiest, and she’ll always be there. I promise you that.”
― Mark T. Sullivan, Beneath a Scarlet Sky