Susan Noyes Anderson > Quotes

“In the twinkling of an eye, Cinderella became everything she had ever hoped to be – the most beautiful girl in the Kingdom. Her life was a dream come true, except for one problem: the changes made were temporary. At midnight, she would return to her former, impoverished state.

We all feel spiritually impoverished sometimes, and even the most proactive women can get caught waiting for that fairy godmother to appear. Wouldn't it be a lot easier if someone else could suddenly come along and turn our spiritual rags to riches? Waiting for someone or something to transform us into our best selves is tempting, yet how little growth we would experience if such gratuitous transformations were available.

Fortunately ... I have it on good authority that the fairy godmother will definitely not be coming. (This is good news for me because I'm not sure I could have resisted her help!) The progress we make in this life will depend upon our own labors, and every blessing .... will be ours to keep.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, Awaken Your Spiritual Power

“Oh for a son
when my head is bowed
and years have lined my face –
A stalwart son
with a gentle heart,
where I still hold
a mother's place.

Oh, for a son
when eyes grow dim
and memories recede –
A spirited son,
a steadfast son,
who sees but does not
fear my need.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children

“Don't make a young person's behavior be about you. Never, "Oh, you're hurting me so much! You're going to be the end of me, but "It's hard to watch you hurting yourself this way." Teens will like your concern more if they feel it's for them and not yourself. Other ways of expressing your concern include: "You deserve better," and "You need to take better care of yourself.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson

“Life comes to us unbridled; shall we hide?
Or will we, through the pleasure and the pain,
embrace the greatest heights we can attain
and smile upon the world with hearts flung wide?”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children

“Make consequences as logical as possible. If teens drive irresponsibly, they should lose car privileges, not phone privileges. If a curfew violation occurs, make curfew one hour earlier for a week. If homework is not getting done because of video games, restrict them, not baseball. Try to make your restrictions selective and specific. Teens need a solid consequence they can feel, but they also need fun and enjoyment in their lives. If you take everything away, they have nothing to fill their cups. Young people who are running on empty will have fewer resources to use in producing good behavior.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson

“Keep the Faith

Sometimes I'd like to be
the type
who lives my life
without a backward glance –
then I would dance
through days
unburdened, fancy-free.
Instead, I'm me.
You know, the one
who counts the cracks
on every wall
and then recounts them
backwards
lest it fall
(knowing full well
the chances are
it will).
Still, I have moments
when I just let go –
then I stop counting cracks
and count on
faith.
You ask if the wall falls?
Surprise! It's safe.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, Awaken Your Spiritual Power

“Too many sorrows I have known,
too many sadnesses unsaid.
A lake of woe surrounds my heart,
the last remains of tears unshed.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children

“Come, speak to me of times gone by.
Remind me of our carefree youth.
Recall with me those nights we sang
and laughed and thought we knew the truth.

Come, speak to my of times gone by.
Remind me of your dancing feet.
Recall with me those days we knew
the world was ours, and life was sweet.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson

“The world is flying by, and we?
As fast as wind, as free as air.
Our destination? We don't know.
We're much too busy getting there!”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, His Children

“Make your praise specific, not "You're a great poet," but, "I love that line about green hair the color of Sprite cans." Sweeping compliments are often dismissed by teenagers and can make them feel the pressure of unrealistic expectations. When you respond specifically to something concrete they have already done, they can really take it in.”
― Susan Noyes Anderson, At the End of Your Rope, There's Hope : Parenting Teens in Crisis