Sunday, September 25, 2011

A Michaelmas Miscellany

"I hope some day to meet God, because I want to thank Him for the flowers."


"Understand this -- that nothing you feel entitled to is ever going to make you happy."


"To be happy, you must fancy that everything you have is a gift, and you the chosen, though you worked your tail off for every bit of it."


"All our lives we think happiness is a destination, only to look back and realize that it was the way."


"Once you become the mommy or daddy in your child's world, it is the only world in which you exist, no matter how much you fancy there is a separate world of your own."


"There is always sufficient reason for despair, but there is never sufficient purpose."


"What woman would not die to have a single fresh rose mysteriously appear on her grave every day?"


"The most persistent illusion in life is that we know our own intentions."


"What a blessing it is to be alone with your thoughts when so many are alone with their inability to think."


"Happiness is having a dream you cannot let go of and a partner who would never ask you to."


"A true friend sees past your excuses to the real reason it's not your fault."


Never ask, "What reason do I have to be happy?"  Instead ask, "To what purpose can I attach my happiness?"


~~ Robert Brault

21 comments:

BECKY said...

"Robert, ooh...ooh...pick me!" (as I have my hand up and waving it around so you'll notice)

"Yes, Becky?"

"I loved every one of your quotes, as always, but I just wanted to say that I'm pretty sure all of them are about the same thing this time: Happiness! Am I right?!"

(Couldn't think of anything "new" to say, except this! :)

BECKY said...

P.S. I see your note about September 29th! Awesome! I'll be back!

Robert Brault said...

Becky,
You get an A+ on your answer. We're all about happiness here at The RB Reader. Hope to see you on the 29th.

smiles,
rb

Anonymous said...

Hi, Mr. Brault,

I've found myself visiting your blog numerous times in the last few months, and I find so much comfort in your words. I'm struggling with the big decision of moving from one city to another to bridge the gap in the long-distance relationship that I'm in. Of course, I already know my decision--he is, I am certain, the love of my life. But your thoughts on happiness assure me that this is a leap I have to take, even if it means being far away from my family (they are ultimately the reason I am hesitant). Thank you for the guidance that your words always seem to provide.

Marie

Jan said...

Happiness is right!! I LOVE these -- and I too want to thank Him for the flowers, along with so many other things. Made ME happy today - thank you!

And I too am looking forward to the 29th! Yippee!

Robert Brault said...

Marie,
Sometimes we're just looking for a signal that what we truly want to do is the right thing to do.
And if we want to do it badly enough, there will always be a signal.

Jan,
When we see the calendar Thursday, you can consider the May page especially meant for you.

smiles both,
rb

Sue said...

"Understand this -- that nothing you feel entitled to is ever going to make you happy."

So true, Robert.

=)

Robert Brault said...

Sue,
Thanks. Occasionally I hit one on the head.

smiles,
rb

Don Kimrey said...

Wonderful, wonderful words, as always! Combined, they provoke thought and express ideas, and those things can have consequences. Keep on spinning those golden thoughts Rumplestiltskin ( He was the one who had the spinning wheel, wasn't he? Or was the the one who had the goose that laid the golden egg?

Robert Brault said...

Don,
My words have consequences? Now you tell me. (smile)

Don Kimrey said...

Ideas. Words express ideas and thoughts. Those are the things which are consequential.

Ariana said...

Anxiously awaiting the sale of your Calendar! <3
I want mine Autographed! :O)

Ken Devine said...

There you go...I knew you would make me feel better. I had the wrong perspective regarding being alone with my thoughts today.

Robert Brault said...

Don,
I'll remember that. Thanks.

Ariana,
Still debating whether to take a few orders myself. Will let you know. (autograph 5 cents extra.)

Ken,
Great to have you back. Will be checking in.

smiles all,
rb

Ariana said...

Smiling at you Robert, You're Autograph is worth more than a nickel, why I'd pay a quarter - at the very least! <3

Lloyd said...

Good points to ponder on. God's blessings, Lloyd

Robert Brault said...

Lloyd, thanks for your comment. Good to see you here.

smiles,
rb

karen said...

All of these are good points to meditate on. My favorite:
"All our lives we think happiness is a destination, only to look back and realize that it was the way."
There is nothing more irresistible than a happy person - someone who can laugh and find the sunshine even when it is pouring rain. I want to be one of those.

Robert Brault said...

karen,
I think that wanting to be a happy person is almost a guarantee of being one. It's not so much that happiness makes people happy as happy people create happiness.

smiles,
rb

keyboard_warrior said...

Hi Robert,

It was pure coincedence that I visited you blog for the first time, but it isn't now.

I always felt some of the things you said about life, but was never really aware of it let alone describing/identifying it.

I wish you a nice life sir.

Robert Brault said...

keyboard,
Thanks so much. You describe exactly how a "wise saying" is supposed to work -- it enunciates something you have always felt, the wisdom of it being less cognition than recognition.

smiles,
rb

Follow RobertBrault1 on Twitter