“Knowing others is intelligence;
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.”
― Tao Te Ching
knowing yourself is true wisdom.
Mastering others is strength;
mastering yourself is true power.”
― Tao Te Ching
“And when you get down to it, Lily, that is the only purpose grand enough for a human life. Not just to love but to persist in love.”
― The Secret Life of Bees
― The Secret Life of Bees
“This above all: to thine own self be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
― Hamlet
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
― Hamlet
“I hadn't been out to the hives before, so to start off she gave me a lesson in what she called 'bee yard etiquette'. She reminded me that the world was really one bee yard, and the same rules work fine in both places. Don't be afraid, as no life-loving bee wants to sting you. Still, don't be an idiot; wear long sleeves and pants. Don't swat. Don't even think about swatting. If you feel angry, whistle. Anger agitates while whistling melts a bee's temper. Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't. Above all, send the bees love. Every little thing wants to be loved.”
― The Secret Life of Bees
― The Secret Life of Bees
“People are afraid of themselves, of their own reality; their feelings most of all. People talk about how great love is, but that’s bullshit. Love hurts. Feelings are disturbing. People are taught that pain is evil and dangerous. How can they deal with love if they’re afraid to feel? Pain is meant to wake us up. People try to hide their pain. But they’re wrong. Pain is something to carry, like a radio. You feel your strength in the experience of pain. It’s all in how you carry it. That’s what matters. Pain is a feeling. Your feelings are a part of you. Your own reality. If you feel ashamed of them, and hide them, you’re letting society destroy your reality. You should stand up for your right to feel your pain.”
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Barbara’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at Barbara’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
Polls voted on by Barbara
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