Wednesday, April 6, 2011

being


This is the true joy in life, 
the being used for a purpose 
recognized by yourself as a mighty one; 
the being a force of nature 
instead of a feverish, selfish little clod 
of ailments and grievances 
complaining that the world 
will not devote itself 
to making you happy. 

George Bernard Shaw


Spring is the perfect season for dusting off that purpose, rediscovering the secret force of nature within yourself, and following your bliss. I'm hauling out my own purpose and giving it a good going over with me mops and me brushes. There's nothing like a thorough spring clean of the spirit to renew true joy.


I read Shaw's excellent quote here Working the Earth. Thanks, Teri, for the inspiration.


Photo: daffies at Willow Manor, April 2011

46 comments:

  1. I want to give this poem to my husband. But I don't want to hurt his feelings.

    It's beautiful, as is your photo.

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  2. What a wonderful Shaw quote, I've never heard it before, but it certainly is timeless. :)

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  3. renew true joy...that is a goal worth working toward ;)

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  4. BPG, I am a huge Shaw fan and had never heard it before either. It certainly struck a chord with me today.

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  5. It's spring; time to clean up our act. Or something like that.

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  6. this is brilliant. 'feverish, selfish little clod of ailments and grievances' vs. recognizing one's mighty force. shaw's words are as true today as they were in his time. scathingly inspired.

    also love the daffs -- or jonquils? never could tell the difference....

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  7. It's beautiful. Thank you for sharing.

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  8. I hear that! Spring is a rebirth for more than the world, but for the self. A wonderful quote from Shaw, and sound sentiments on your end.

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  9. There's probably a 'selfish little clod' in all of us. Quite right; it should be cleaned out at once!

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  10. p.s. For Amanda. Jonquille is simply French for daffodil.

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  11. How terrific. I've never read that Shaw quote, so thank you for passing it along!

    And I can't wait to see what you come up with in your spring cleaning!

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  12. ...this is truly inspiring... the first two lines already nailed the whole quote... and being used for a purpose... i really like it.

    Good day.

    ..kelvin

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  13. An uplifting quote, photo and post. Thanks, Tess, I needed that.

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  14. Shaw was one of the true greats wasn't he. I can't think of anyone of his stature around these days, but I would welcome nominations.

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  15. Love the quote...very wise words.
    Joyful people are so much more enjoyable to have in our lives than "selfish clods" that think the world owes them their happines, instead of making their own.
    Spring is a good time to think about our true purpose. Daily living sometimes tends to push it to the back burner : )

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  16. Wise words from a sometime curmgeon!
    Yes, a good time to reinvent ourselves!

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  17. Amanda, my dear mother-in-law always called them jonquils. Like Cro mentioned, I think they're one in the same. I like to call them daffies.

    Daffy Down Dilly
    Has come to town
    In a yellow petticoat
    And a green gown.

    (a nursery rhyme from my childhood)

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  18. tess i sure do admire that quote a whole lot!! steven

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  19. Try raising chicks in your kitchen, you feel like spring cleaning every day...but maybe this weekend they'll be in their own house...and I can move forward(in theory)...sigh!

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  20. Off-topic...Tess, I am so happy to see your beautiful blog has returned. I visited yesterday (lurking in the shadows) and was met by a very clean, generic substitute to your artistically creative norm. I assume it was due to the Google updates but wanted to say "Welcome back!"

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  21. Great quote. Great picture. Too often I am that selfish little clod all caught up in my own problems.

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  22. CHK, how strange! My blog didn't change on this end and no one else mentioned anything. Glad to know I'm back on your end of the blogosphere!

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  23. If it is to be it is up to me... I really like 'selfish little clod' which definitely needs to be crushed in most of us.

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  24. excellant quote - one for my permanent collection! Very pertinent to my day. Thanks

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  25. Tess -- Love your photo. If I may iterate this childhood poem that always springs into my head when I think of daffodils --
    Daffy Down Dilly
    Has come to town
    In a yellow petticoat
    And a green gown.
    Such a beautiful flower symbolizing the beginning of spring with its bright dash of color.
    -- barbara

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  26. yes, I'm trying to get a little housekeeping done. trying to finish a project that I think may be, metaphorically speaking, keeping new projects from coming in. a sort of barrier.

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  27. Barbara, if you notice, I've quoted this very rhyme from my childhood, as well, in the above comments! It's fun to think you know it, too.

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  28. Beautiful image, nice symbol of purpose. Yellow is also my favorite color, how perfect!

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  29. Excellent quote, great reminder. With Gratitude, purpose is defined.

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  30. Amy, yes, I believe gratitude is the keystone.

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  31. Thanks for taking the quote from my blog and re-posting it Tess. I took it from the Sunday lesson I heard in church on Sunday and in this way, I have reached many more people. You have so many more followers than I do but by you posting it, it has moved up in importance. Thank you so much. If we can inspire just one person...

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  32. Thank you, Teri, my friend. The GBS quote was too powerful not to share. I, for one, was definitely inspired.

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  33. A great way to look at springtime.
    Daffodil is one of my all time favorite flower. There is nothing like a huge clear glass vase full of them. :)

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  34. Yes! We Mirror The World & The World Mirrors Us!

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  35. Ah. This quotation makes my heart sing.

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  36. Perfect mission statement for the day...

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  37. YES, YES, YES!!! And daffies are my favorite flower too!

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  38. Great words and a very nice photograph. They make me want to do something...

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  39. You chose a perfect poem to post, Tess. It uplifts, encourages, and reminds me of the genuius of Shaw.

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  40. This is a great poem but I think a person has to read it for themselves and be willing to clean up a bit. Self-examination done properly is an art.

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  41. blow open the doors wide...
    get thee arse outside :)

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  42. Love the Shaw, Tess! So glad to see those daffodils are still going strong despite the cold temps. Oh, and hey--when you finish up with your mops and brooms, feel free to come by our place. (I'll bake you some cookies or something!?!)

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  43. Tess, those are words that need to be read every day. They have very special meaning for me at the moment. Thank you . . . xx

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  44. Thank you - reinforces my recent freedom in letting go of negative people from my life!

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)