WE ALL DANCE THROUGH the grand hall of life
never knowing when the music will fade.
Yet, one thing is certain—it won’t play forever.
Every step we take,
every twirl we make,
is singular,
never to be repeated.
So …
Make each dance meaningful.
Find joy in the simple moments.
Be kind, generous, and thoughtful.
Let love be the rhythm that guides your every move.
Forgive swiftly, love deeply.
Recognize the impact you leave on the world and on those around you.
Though the dance may be fleeting, it can be filled with grace and purpose.
Live each day with passion, and ensure your final dance is a celebration of a life beautifully lived.
AUTHOR & ARTIST UNKNOWN
TOGETHER … OR ALONE
Sometimes one small gesture can give us the strength to do enormous things. A little generosity can unleash great tenderness, leading in time to deep real love, and a single conversation can change your mind, a life. The world is no bigger than the people who inhabit it – and. together or alone, we are closer than we know.
JENNY – ‘CALL THE MIDWIFE’
SUNFLOWER
Sunflower
you lived a good life
though shorter than I’d have wished
stood tall and joyful
saluting the light
a large, humble beauty
that few eyes noticed
in your corner of the garden
where you seemed quite happy
just to be there
with no need of fanfare
or immortality
content to be visited
by the occasional bee
or butterfly.
But these eyes have seen you
and this page remembers
your curious statuary
your telescopic climb
from soil to sky
and your bowing at last
to the will of nature
that your manifold children
so close to your open heart
might find their way home.
MARK LAURENT – WWW.MARKLAURENT.CO.NZ
THE SHORELINE OF MYSTERY …
I think we’re wired for belief, and it’s sort of human pride and ambition to overrule those intuitions. But I find it much easier just to give in. We are tiny, little specks in the universe, and there is a credible limit to what we know. And in a way, the more we know, the more shoreline of mystery there is …
Human minds are the only ways the universe reflects on itself. And we keep circling back to that – you know, why we’re here and not here. And I’m – I guess I’m sort of relaxing into the state of soul that that generates.
PETER SCHIELDAHL – ‘NEW YORKER’
LUNCH-GRAB?
Strange new trend at the office.
People putting names on food in the company fridge.
Today I had a tuna sandwich named Kevin!
UNPLUGGED
Almost
everything
will
work
again
if
you
unplug
it
for
a
few
minutes …
including YOU!
ANNE LAMOTT
ENOUGH
I wish you
… enough sunlight to turn your attitude bright
… enough rain to appreciate the sun more
… enough happiness to keep your spirit alive
… enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger
… enough gain to satisfy your wanting
… enough loss to appreciate all that you possess, and
… enough hellos to get you through the final goodbye.
SOURCE UNKNOWN
INSIDES & OUTSIDES
Everyone is screwed up, broken, clingy and scared, even the people who seem to have it most together. They are much more like you than you would believe, so try not to compare your insides to other people’s outsides. It will only make you worse than you already are.
ANNE LAMOTT – ‘ALMOST EVERYTHING: NOTES ON HOPE’
ACTUAL FRIENDS
I love seeing couples
who are actual friends to
each other.
Not a relationship based solely on
duty and society’s expectations,
but one based on
mutual understanding,
laughter,
shared experiences,
shared interests
and more.
I genuinely think these are the
happiest relationships.
MADIHA – DEEP MINDS ANONYMOUS
DON’T LET FEAR SLOW YOU DOWN …
I am fully aware of my mortality, but at 87 years old, I still wake up every morning with the desire to misbehave. Age is not a barrier when you find passion in what you do. The real secret lies in keeping your curiosity alive, continuing to learn, and not letting the fear of time stop you from enjoying life. Every day is a new opportunity to create, to laugh, and to show that it is never too late to move forward with enthusiasm and joy.
ANTHONY HOPKINS
ENOUGH LOVE TO GO AROUND
Jesus said to have faith like a child.
I’m ready for that kind of faith, again.
One that believes God is love.
God is good.
And the same grace that has been given to me is given to every other human.
There’s enough love to go around.
And we don’t share this love by trying to “scare the hell” out of others.
We share it the same way I did when I was a kid.
We laugh.
We love.
We encourage.
We play.
We dance in the kitchen.
And sing while we mow …
This kind of joy and peace is contagious.
And meant to be spread around.
KAREN SHOCK – PATHEOS.COM
WOWEE!
Life
should
not
be
a journey to the grave
with the intention of
arriving safely in a pretty,
well-preserved body,
but
rather
to
skid in broadside
in a cloud of smoke,
thoroughly used up,
totally worn out,
and loudly proclaiming
“WOW! WHAT A RIDE!”
HUNTER THOMPSON – ‘FEAR & LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS’
