Emma

“In order to experience bliss and contentment, we must not only be willing to live in the present—not in the past or looking toward the future—but also to accept that pain is a real possibility, if not a probability.

This is not to say that joy must come with pain, but instead, that pain could arrive in the midst of joy and this fact scares us senseless. We would rather half live than risk encountering unspeakable pain at the core of indescribable delight.

We erroneously believe that being a perpetual emotional flatline is better than experiencing the highs and the lows of living.”
― Florence Witt, Say Yes: Answering the Invitation to Live an Authentic Life

“Self-love rather than rendering us self-centered makes us open-hearted and more loving. Self-love and arrogance are not equal. Arrogance is not self-love. It is low self-esteem robed in boastfulness. It is a barricade, not love.”
― Florence Witt, Say Yes: Answering the Invitation to Live an Authentic Life

“When I am scared, all my intentions are focused on survival and not on living to the fullest. Certainly, not on benevolence, not on being my best, not on becoming a better version of myself, not on loving myself or others.
Fear whispers “survive.” Not “live.”
― Florence Witt