Monday, November 28, 2011

Mark Twain...and My Hero


Today is the 176th birthday of Mark Twain. What a writer, yes?

Including a few of my favorite quotes today...

We recognize that there are no trivial occurrences in life if we get the right focus on them.

Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear - not absence of fear.

Do something every day that you don't want to do; this is the golden rule for acquiring the habit of doing your duty without pain.

Humor is the great thing, the saving thing. The minute it crops up, all our irritations and resentments slip away and a sunny spirit takes their place.


Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.

Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.


and one of my favorites....

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore..... Dream.... Discover

I believe the following with all my heart:

Somewhere between praying fervently for God's will... and wrestling with all the pros and cons circling in his head, my husband made a decision. For his family, himself, his career, our future...and truly desiring to only do the best thing.

He moved us from North Carolina to Iowa..something that was trying, and not without trepidation for him, I am sure.

I think the same thoughts that Mark Twain penned above - thrashed at Kurt's mind and heart... I literally watched him battle with it...

God gave him COURAGE and a full measure of FAITH to go for it.

If he hadn't sailed away from the safe harbor, stepped out of his comfort zone....asked all of us to do it with him...to TRUST that God was leading...he would have ALWAYS questioned..."What if"...been disappointed in not exploring the dream planted in his heart and the choice placed before him...wondering where it would have led.


Do Hard Things.


Master your Fear.


It is usually in "the times that try mens' souls" (Thomas Paine) that God is doing HIS best work!

Thankful today for this man who "threw off the bowlines"....sailed out, and did hard things...for his family. Love you babe.



3 comments:

Lisa notes... said...

You are an inspiration, Julie, to do hard things with courage and faith! I'm proud to know you and call you friend.

Anne Lorys said...

What a wonderful post!
I needed to read this today, just needed a little injection of faith and inspiration, and you provided both, thank you!

XOXO,
Anne

Sandy said...

Yep! I agree that you are an inspiration, dear Julie. I love these quotes, knew most of them.
I can't imagine how scary it must be to move across the country and start over again but you guys seem to be doing a great job. It's just being together that matters and I know you know that!
Hugs & Blessings!