You do not have to be good.
You do not have to walk on your knees
for a hundred miles through the desert repenting.
You only have to let the soft animal of your body
love what it loves.
—Opening lines of Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality… I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.
—Martin Luther King, Jr.
Grief can be the garden of compassion. If you keep your heart open through everything, your pain can become your greatest ally in your life’s search for love and wisdom.—Rumi
Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.—Brené Brown
Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.—Lao Tzu
Because of the dog’s joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born.—Mary Oliver
Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.—Ella Fitzgerald
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.—Martin Luther King, Jr.
The greatest thing you’ll ever learn, Is just to love and be loved in return.—lyric from “Nature Boy,” by eden ahbez, first recorded by Nat King Cole
