To make an activity joyful, keep adding things until the activity as a whole becomes more appealing than repulsing. Martha Beck More Quotes by Martha Beck More Quotes From Martha Beck Conflict in close relationships is not only inevitable, it's essential. Intimacy connects people who are inevitably different. Martha Beck essentialsdifferentpeople From a place of stillness, openness, forgiveness and acceptance you can renew your commitment to any eating plan you like. Martha Beck acceptanceeatingcommitment I've developed the habit of mentally listing things that make me optimistic about the future. I do it every day. Martha Beck optimisticanticipationhabit I explain to everyone I deal with-co-workers, children, friends-that I'm transitionally challenged and they should call me on my cell phone if I'm even a few minutes late. Such calls often come in when I'm happily writing or rearranging the furniture. The monochrones in my life are so organized, they have no trouble remembering to remind me to show up. Martha Beck phoneswritingchildren I now believe that bêtes noires usually attack because we're thwarting our own destinies. Calming the beast turns us toward our best lives. Martha Beck calmingdestinybelieve If you're religious, it gives you a perspective. Martha Beck perspectivereligiousgiving To be really productive, it's as important to rest when we're tired as it is to work when we're inspired. Martha Beck tiredimportantinspirational Imagine the choices you'd make if you had no fear-of falling, of losing, of being alone, of disapproval. Martha Beck choiceslosingfall Instead of hiding your loneliness, bring it into the light. Honor it. Treat it. Heal it. You'll find that it returns the favor. Martha Beck lonelinesslighthonor Imagine what you'd do if it absolutely didn't matter what people thought of you. Got it? Good. Never go back. Martha Beck imaginematterpeople I have come to believe that there are infinite passageways out of the shadows, infinite vehicles to transport us into the light. Martha Beck shadowlightbelieve I practice staying calm all the time, beginning with situations that aren't tense. Martha Beck calmpracticeinspirational No one else can take risks for us, or face our losses on our behalf, or give us self-esteem. No one can spare us from life's slings and arrows, and when death comes, we meet it alone. Martha Beck arrowsself-esteemloss The end goal of all of this striving is to live joyfully, and that there are often more direct ways of achieving this than conforming to rigid standards set by social custom. Martha Beck standards-setgoalway Silence comes in two varieties: One that nourishes and comforts; another that chokes, smothers, and isolates. Solitary confinement is the worst kind of imprisonment we can inflict on fellow humans, and if you are forced to keep silent about some dark secret, you live in solitary confinement. Without the bridge of communication connecting you to other human beings, you can’t share your burdens, can’t receive comfort, can’t confirm that you still belong. Silence is the abyss that separates you from hope. Martha Beck communicationbridgesdark Anyone who comes into your life, under any circumstances, has something to teach you. Martha Beck teachcircumstances Anger elicits anger, fear elicits fear, no matter how well meaning we may be. Martha Beck angermattermay Bad artists ignore the darkness of human existence. Good artists often get stuck there. Great artists embrace the full catastrophe of our condition and find beyond it an even deeper truth of peace, healing, and redemption. Martha Beck artistdarknesshealing Try seeing your world and yourself this way, eyes open to whatever is before you, mind free of dichotomies. Are you good or bad, fragile or tough, wise or foolish? Yes. And so am I. Martha Beck eyewisemind The repercussions of one person living in stubborn gladness are incalculable. Martha Beck repercussionsstubbornpersons
