Reflection / John Shaughnessy

Favorite quotes and the humor, wisdom and faith they share

If you walked into a store where they sell signs that capture quotes about life, which of these choices would you likely take home with you:

Would you go for something with a touch of humor, like this one, “My ability to remember song lyrics from the ‘80s far exceeds my ability to remember why I walked into the kitchen.”

Or would you choose something thoughtful, such as this quote from Shawna Grapentin, “An adventurous life does not necessarily mean climbing mountains, swimming with sharks or jumping off cliffs. It means risking yourself by leaving a little piece of you behind in all those you meet along the way.”

Or would you select something spiritual, like this quote from Pope Francis, “Let the risen Jesus enter your life. Welcome him as a friend. If following him seems difficult, don’t be afraid, trust him. Be confident that he is close to you, he is with you, and he will give you the peace you are looking for—and the strength to live as he would have you do.”

For many of us, the likelihood is that all these different kinds of quotes appeal to us in some way.

We all can use the smile or the laugh that comes with a quote that combines equal measures of humor and truth, such as a son or daughter describing these two sides of their mother:

“My mom as a mom: ‘You get what you get. Deal with it.’

“My mom as a grandmom: ‘Would you like your grilled cheese cut into stars or hearts?’ ”

Most of us are also drawn to quotes that make us think about our lives and that inspire us, like this thought attributed to Albert Einstein, “There are only two ways to live. You can live as if nothing is a miracle. You can live as if everything is a miracle. He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”

And most Christians would aspire to live the way this quote from St. John Neumann calls us to place Christ at the heart of our lives: “Shine through me, and be so in me, that every soul I come in contact with may feel your presence in my soul. Let them look up and see no longer me, but only Jesus!”

Finding joy, wisdom and inspiration in quotes seems nearly universal. I’ve known people who have filled up notebooks with their favorite quotes while others have included them at every turn in their homes. And I’ve noticed an increasing trend in the e-mails I receive of people using a favorite meaningful quote at the end of their note.

As for myself, there are a select number of my favorite quotes that I keep visible at work and at home. Two of the most meaningful for me connect to this journey of life that we all share.

The first one is a quote from Ram Dass, “We’re all just walking each other home.”

The second one, a quote from St. Teresa of Avila, is an extension of the first: “The feeling remains that God is on the journey, too.”

They remind me that we all walk together—and God walks with us.
 

(Do you have a favorite quote or quotes? If so, send your favorites my way. And please include why it’s significant to you. Also, while it’s not necessary, if there’s a story of the special meaning of your quote that you’d like to share, that would be great to hear, too. If there’s enough of a response, we can share them in a future story in The Criterion. Send your submissions to John Shaughnessy by e-mail at jshaughnessy@archindy.org or by mail in care of The Criterion, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Please include your parish and a daytime phone number where you can be reached.) †