#pat

First of all, Buddhism is neither pessimistic nor optimistic. If anything at all, it is realistic, for it takes a realistic view of life and the world. It looks at things objectively (yathābhūtam). It does not falsely lull you into living in a fool's paradise, nor does it frighten and agonize you with all kinds of imaginary fears and sins. It tells you exactly and objectively what you are and what the world around you is, and shows you the way to perfect freedom, peace, tranquility and happiness. ↗

— Walpola Rahula

#buddhism #middle-path #middle-way #objectivism #objectivity

Give me the discipline to get rid of the stuff that's not important, the freedom to savor the stuff that gives me joy, and the patience not to worry about the stuff that's messy but not hurting anybody. ↗

— Vinita Hampton Wright

#discipline #freedom #joy #patience #freedom

A good story should make you laugh, and a moment later break your heart. ↗

— Chuck Palahniuk

#stories #laugh

There are two kinds of patriotism -- monarchical patriotism and republican patriotism. In the one case the government and the king may rightfully furnish you their notions of patriotism; in the other, neither the government nor the entire nation is privileged to dictate to any individual what the form of his patriotism shall be. The gospel of the monarchical patriotism is: "The King can do no wrong." We have adopted it with all its servility, with an unimportant change in the wording: "Our country, right or wrong!" We have thrown away the most valuable asset we had:-- the individual's right to oppose both flag and country when he (just he, by himself) believed them to be in the wrong. We have thrown it away; and with it all that was really respectable about that grotesque and laughable word, Patriotism. ↗

— Mark Twain

#change

Sometimes one waits too long for the perfect moment before snapping the picture. You never realize that you needed was to change perspective. ↗

— Miguel Syjuco

#perspective #photography #change

Maybe the best proof that the language is patriarchal is that it oversimplifies feeling. ↗

— Jeffrey Eugenides

#language #patriarchy #language

But circumstances change. Small causes lead to large effects. New paths are added. And all anyone can do . . . is choose. ↗

— Kelseyleigh Reber

#destiny-chance #life-lessons #paths #change

Patriotism has nothing to do with Conservatism. It is actually the opposite of Conservatism, since it is a devotion to something that is always changing and yet is felt to be mystically the same. ↗

— George Orwell

#change

The seals stupidly dive off rocks into swirling black water, barking mindlessly. The zookeepers feed them dead fish. A crowd gathers around the tank, mostly adults, a few accompanied by children. On the seals' tank a plaque warns: COINS CAN KILL——IF SWALLOWED, COINS CAN LODGE IN AN ANIMAL'S STOMACH AND CAUSE ULCERS, INFECTIONS AND DEATH. DO NOT THROW COINS IN THE POOL. So what do I do? Toss a handful of change into the tank when none of the zookeepers are watching. It's not the seals I hate——it's the audience's enjoyment of them that bothers me. ↗

— Bret Easton Ellis

#bateman #patrick #psycho #seals #zoo

It's the hardest thing in the world to go on being aware of someone else's pain. ↗

— Pat Barker

#pain #awareness