Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot.
What variety is to life, contradiction is to the mind.
The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high.
Water flows because it's willing.
Looking in the mirror is seeing what other people see.
If it's work you're trying too hard.
To hate everything is to be wounded by everything.
The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise.
The air lets the arrow pass right through.
In the wind, more leaves tremble than any theory can account for.
If the light's not in you, you're in the dark.
Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself.
Aphorisms. Meditations on life. A poet at heart A lover of life An iconoclast with nihilistic tendencies My politics is friendship My philosophy is happiness
Hey, it is lovely to see some new ones and I especially like the top one. I suspect it is because it got me at just the right time. I have been messing about today doing nothing but thinking ...so perhaps instead I have really accomplished a lot! LOL Good to see you ~ ChrissyX
ReplyDeleteI think this might be my favorite batch. They really resonate with me.
ReplyDelete"Someone told me the world was round but I'm checking it out for myself." Love it. Exploration is a must.
"Water flows because it's willing." Yes, we have to be open to possibilities.
"The flea that doubts doesn't jump very high." And has a boring existence.
"The air lets the arrow pass right through." I interpret this as being able to compromise and give a little. And that's a great goal to work on!
Looking in the mirror is seeing what other people see.
ReplyDeleteIf it's work you're trying too hard. - nothing profound
Life is not that easy to be ourself..even to be someone else we admired required a great afford. But i rather choose to be myself even it looks broken. At least i don't have to work that hard..? haha
My college teachers used to say we must check things for ourselves instead of believe everything we're told. The last one in the list totally reminded me of that. =)
ReplyDeleteMy favorite, though, is this: To hate everything is to be wounded by everything. Loving this is so much easier and brings so many benefits, isn't?
Always a pleasure to come and read you, Marty. You're amazing.
Take care and keep smiling. Kiss your cheeks! ♥
I love these posts. Thanks
ReplyDeleteMy favorite one:"The flea that doubts..." Like "No risk, no gain" Or "If you don't shoot, you don't score'.
ReplyDeleteThey all resonate with me.
"Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot." Hmmm, seems I have accomplished bunches.
ReplyDelete"What variety is to life, contradiction is to the mind." So, contradiction is the spice of the mind?
These are always so much fun, NP. They always make me think...it's hard to get me to think sometimes!
Marty, you're on a roll. No moss for you, my friend.
ReplyDeleteThese are incredible.
ReplyDeleteThese two are some of my favourities yet:
"The flea that doubts doesn't jump very high." - This is absolutely true. You need to have faith in yourself and in the surrounding environment if you want to succeed.
"Someone told me the world was round but I'm checking it out for myself." Incredible! Not only should you explore but you shouldn't believe everything people tell you.
Thanks for posting these. They always make my day a little brighter.
"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything." -nothingprofound
ReplyDeleteHow sad to live life this way, but I've met a few that do.
Thank for these. Refreshing as always. :-)
Marty, how do you come up with these? What's your process? Just curious.
ReplyDeleteVery insightful, once again!
Nice batch...
ReplyDeleteIn the wind, more leaves tremble than any theory can account for...
One of the greatest secrets of so-called spiritual alchemy is the ability to place intent -- and then let go and do nothing. ~Richard Bartlett
I am happy to see you posting more often as I truly look forward to reading your aphorisms. They always give me plenty to think about and leave me smiling.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen www.RunDramaRun.blogspot.com ? Positive thinkers are being recruited to add blog posts there. Go here to sign up, I did. http://rundramarun.blogspot.com/2010/05/100-positive-bloggers-wanted.html
Please consider posting some of your aphorisms there. Your words would add so much.
another set of great aphorisms! keep up the good work! :)
ReplyDeleteHi NP, I've just picked my favorite for a status update: "Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself" -nothing profound
ReplyDeleteGreat aphorisms!
"If the light's not in you...", and the one about the flea have done me good. It's been great to stop by and read your aphorisms again.
ReplyDelete"Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself."
ReplyDelete"The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high.
"Water flows because it's willing."
I've recently challenged myself to visit three countries that I've never been to before I turn 30, so these three really resonate with me. Always a pleasure. :)
NP, How nice to see that you have upgraded "Out Of Context: pieces of a life" according to its monthly schedule.
ReplyDeleteSo,here are your quotes which I feel are also the voice of my heart:
"Looking in the mirror is seeing what other people see."
"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything."
"The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise."
The following is really amazing, I loved it so so much.
"Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself."
It has lesson for those who take every news on media as the word of God.
Thank you so much for these reminders.
Wish you all the best.
"The air lets the arrow pass right through."
ReplyDelete. . . is my favourite of this batch. :-)
It's exhilirating to read these aphorisms that are startling, but un-flashy, heartfelt and straight forward. I have the sense that you disappear and the words appear.
ReplyDeleteSome of my favorites are-
"Water flows because it's willing."
"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything."
"The air lets the arrow pass right through."
I love these bare-bones sutras, which are like a cross between a poem and a koan. Thank you!
You are a profound thinker in every way. We need more insight into life and how to continue to keep things in perspective. Thank you so much for your great works.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteAs always..simply profound. I saw Henry Ford in the aphorism-The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high.
Reminds me of his quote:
Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.
Well done Marty, cheers!
It's always refreshing to visit this still-point you create, np. Thanks for inviting me here.
ReplyDeleteWe were just talking about that last night (“The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise”) with regards to people who think they know everything. It is very hard to fill a cup which is already full.
ReplyDeleteThe last point is crucial. Always validate theories for yourself.
I mean, we weren't talking about it in relation to philosophers - just the fact that someone who thinks they know everything can't be taught anything new!
ReplyDeleteAnother treasure of wisdom:
ReplyDelete..Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot.
What variety is to life, contradiction is to the mind....
Water flows because it's willing.
To hate everything is to be wounded by everything...
In the wind, more leaves tremble than any theory can account for...
If the light's not in you, you're in the dark...
Thanks Marty for sharing.
God bless.
Oh so many truths! Thank you
ReplyDeleteBeautiful wisdom, NP.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably my favorite batch so far...where shall I start?
"Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot." = "By attrition he reaches a state of inaction
Wherein he does nothing, but nothing remains undone." ~ Lao Tzu
"The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high." = The mind can be a debilitating thing, so emancipate it to achieve the impossible.
"Water flows because it's willing." = “Empty your mind, be formless… shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle; it becomes the bottle. You put it into a teapot; it becomes the teapot. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend…” ~ Bruce Lee
"The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise." = Socrates
"If the light's not in you, you're in the dark." = To dispel the darkness of ignorance, "Be a light unto oneself" ~ Jiddu Krishnamurti
"Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself." = Don't trust the educational system. Educate yourself with truth.
Once again, NP, very nice set!
ReplyDeleteThe philosopher aphorism reminds of one "Avatar" wrote: "All I know is I know nothing, and I'm not even sure of that" ;)
Great blog. You do get up early in the morning I noticed!!
ReplyDeleteGooD Relationship iS LikE a TREE
ReplyDeleteiT DemanDs AttenTion & CaRe
iN ThE Beginning,
BuT oNce iT BLoSsomS,
iT PRovides Shade & PRotectioN iN aLL SituaTions of Life
inspiring as ever - sometimes we try so hard when we just need to go with the flow!
ReplyDeletethanks dear friend x your visit.I love to come here and read your beatifull articles,""If the light's not in you, you're in the dark." I love this part,its absolutely true,and is so easy to see or to understand....
ReplyDeleteI´m coming soon,take care,God bless you!
I think that I am probably more of a nihilist than you, Marty. This ancient Zen notion of accomplishing something by doing nothing goes against our society's grain, but it is one of the most rewarding things you can do. I am fortunate enough at this point in my life to understand and practice doing nothing at all and I can vouch for the personal satisfaction it brings. The others in this post are good mind fodder if people would only chew on them for a while.
ReplyDeletei just love these posts. i think that mirrors themselves are distorted! or is it the mind that distorts? ;)
ReplyDeleteThis one's hard to pick out a favorite this time because they're all so interesting!
ReplyDeleteI suppose the one that speaks out to me the most right now is the one about contradiction and the mind. I feel like that right now...
All the arrow aphorism has a lot of fun angles, I have to admit...
Love them all, can't pick just one without thinking that the other is better. They're simply the best! Thanks for this new set, NP! They spice my days until the next post.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favs... Very nice!
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful batch, NP. It seems that you must have a renewed fire yourself lately. You are banging out aphorisms like no one's business! :-)
ReplyDeleteNice job again!
love it! especially the last one!
ReplyDeleteHi NP, these are just perfect as usual!
ReplyDeleteYour work is so inspiring for me! You are one of my favorite writer.
I just wish I had a real ( paper book), because I am old school, and love to have books that I can put in my bag, etc..
My favorite this time are:
"The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high."
"In the wind, more leaves tremble than any theory can account for."
"If the light's not in you, you're in the dark."
"Someone told me the world is round, but I'm checking it out for myself"
"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything."
"The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise."
"Water flows because it's willing."
I think I should have copy the whole post :)))
To hate everything is to be wounded by everything.
ReplyDelete:)
The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high.
ReplyDeleteWater flows because it's willing.
Thank you for this NP, it's very true!
NP you are a Zen Blog rockstar!
ReplyDeleteI admire your writing.
ReplyDeleteThe flea that doubts...sometimes has little self-confidence.
ReplyDelete"The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high." I need to share this with my artist friends. They tend to be overly self-critical & questioning.
ReplyDeleteThe old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise.
ReplyDeleteNothing i know about anything, so I should be very wise. But I'm afraid that it's not true.
Greetings!
Haver
Greetings!
Haver
The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise.
ReplyDeletethis one give me a 'hmmmmmm' moment.Wow, something to think about.
"The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high."
ReplyDeleteBut it can make a dog its biatch or play bass in a band called Red Hot Chili Peppers. ;-)
I really love the line that says "The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise." That one is going to stay with me for a long time.
ReplyDeleteTo hate everything is to be wounded by everything. ==> very very true ! thankfully I am body and brain armoured :)
ReplyDelete"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything."
ReplyDeletei loved that! so true.
...and often when I do a lot I feel like I've done nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe "hate" one reminds me of a great Nelson Mandela quote: "unforgiveness is like drinking poison and thinking it will kill your enemies."
The flea that doesn't jump so high jumps more often and sees more. Doubt is the curry of life for me, but you continue to entertain.
ReplyDelete'Water is a slave to gravity, and steam only rises because cold air pushes it out of the way' Snappy or what, i think i might learn this writing racket.
ReplyDeleteDon't take this too personally, but where does it all lead?
ReplyDelete"Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot." I love this one! I feel inspired just by "being". "Doing" is way too conventional for me...
ReplyDeleteThanks for checking out my blog.
ReplyDeleteYours is fantastic!
Continue to write.
I agree with steve... the line "Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot." is such a well threaded sentence.
:) keep it up!
I really like your postive blog. I always feel like I have to be doing something to feel like I am accomplishing something. I have been un emmployed so If I write and make comments it beats sleeping! To be productive is so important but on the other side of the coin doing nothing and just thinking can be quit relaxing too. My calming technique is READING...for some odd reason if I read I am calm. Great blog! Love it
ReplyDeleteGreat writing I had to follow. Sorry for the short comment... in a rush.
ReplyDeletehttp://redeemart.blogspot.com/
Anonymous asks where it all leads...well, enjoyment and ease are not destinations.
ReplyDeleteBeware though, the flea that jumps too high can lose his dog. My best
Brilliant: "The flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high."
ReplyDeleteMy 2 other faves:
"To hate everything is to be wounded by everything."
"If the light's not in you, you're living in the dark"
Job well done, once again
79sparrows
If the light's not in you, you're in the dark.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I sit in the dark, waiting for the sun to rise.
henry
I can't pick my favourite thing from this piece of writing, as it caputures so many truths, but I do know it made me feel very excited and ready to explore. I nodded in agreement to the philosophers of old being wise because they had less to know, we are full of wonder around us and definitely need to take it all for ourselves and learn and construct our own realities and wisdom!
ReplyDeleteThey're ALL little gems to provoke our thinking. Thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is the one about variety and contradiction. We can be enriched and broadened by both.
Reading each of these is like meditation. A bit of a mini spuritual wandering that is somehow centering. Lovely.
ReplyDeleteWow, some very profound lines...especially the one regarding the dark and water being willing..powerful thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDorothy from grammology
grammology.com
Wow, this really captured me...I like how give the ideas and readers can make their own conclusions about the idea.
ReplyDeleteI really admire your work, I'm 14 and I just started a blog, if you could check it out that would be greatly appreciated.
http://peacevisionary.blogspot.com/
Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteDid you write this stuff yourself?
your words are so full of depth and wisdom. they always amaze me.
ReplyDeletesharmishtha
agnitrisha.blogspot.com
Wow Marty, beautiful as always.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite one is:
Water flows because it's willing.
No doubt about that. It is all a matter of your will. Bless you for your wisdom and sharing it with all of us.
This is a really cool blog! Love the last line on this page.
ReplyDelete"Old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise." NP, this is profound. The media is throwing so much mud around to fill their 24/7 news cycle, that people do not have time to fully digest it. There are very few in this world whom I would consider wise. There are some, of course, but they probably have little to do with politics and the news. It's such a loss of all of us.
ReplyDeleteThe truth in life...
ReplyDelete"If the light's not in you, you're in the dark"
Your blog is one reason i open my loptop.
Shine on my friend.
I think my favorite is: "The air lets the arrow pass right through."
ReplyDeleteThere's a simple beauty in that one.
Hi Marty,
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you this morning on Tioga St. I am enjoying your aphorisms. This sight is so ... you.
Steven
love your poem,
ReplyDeleteit is full of wonders and fun.
hey, to collect the prize you just have to right click on the pic and copy it in your p.c. and then copy the name and rules (if there are any ----) after that its completely yours. you can share it with your friends or just display.
ReplyDeletewish you the very best.
Doing nothing is doing something.
ReplyDeleteI have a small gift for you, a tribute to your golden words, will you accept it?
ReplyDeletehttp://window2mysoul.wordpress.com/2010/06/13/golden-pen-award/
have a beautiful week ahead.
This one is really nice ... "If the light's not in you, you're in the dark.".. so true like all others! But, I specially liked this one.
ReplyDeleteLove these
ReplyDeleteThe flea that doubts doesn't jump nearly as high.
Water flows because it's willing.
Very well said, at the end of it every thing depends on what we think we can....
liked this one too
If it's work you're trying too hard. :-)
NP--I just love these. You are so talented--I remember reading on BC how people want you to do a book of aphorisms--I honestly think you should. They are so delightful and thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I always have my favorites. Those that spoke to me *most* (although I liked them all) are:
Water flows because it's willing. = Willingness brought me a second opportunity in life.
If it's work you're trying too hard. = and also, if you love what you do--then it's never work.
To hate everything is to be wounded by everything. = So true!
The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise. = hahahahahaha!
If the light's not in you, you're in the dark.
Thanks for bringing us this lovely new batch!
Melinda
"Somebody told me the world is round...." The best so far!
ReplyDeletePhenomenal stuff!
ReplyDeleteThe more I do nothing, the better I feel too. Too much doing in our world, and not enough being.
And the last line says it all - we need to seek for ourselves to truly know the truth within.
"The old philosophers knew so little; that's why they were so wise." - probably the best i have come across. Wonderful!!
ReplyDeleteGeez Marty, these are magnificent. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one: "Whenever I do nothing I feel I've accomplished a lot." I literally feel this when I do nothing. I feel I have accomplished something grand in my day. Or whenever I do what my heart is calling me to do, be that nothing sitting under a tree on the high desert or walking up a mountain or staring out a window at the trees. I always feel I've done something soooooo important that has made my day meaningful and richer.
ReplyDeleteI also LOVE LOVE LOVE (lol!) the last one. That one is SO ME!!! I seem to thrive on finding things out for myself, knowing with my whole being, not merely being told that it is so. For me the last one speaks of great freedom!
Thank you for the beautiful gifts you share. I am always grateful for...you! Hugs, Robin. :)
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteMarty,
ReplyDeleteYou have a keen sense of phrasing, and paint a magnificent portrait of words. You are quite gifted!!!
Thanks for sharing
Regards,
Mark
http://freshworks-mediamarketing.blogspot.com/
Keep up the appearance and the truth will follow it; but these aphorisms are good enough to stand for truth in their own right.
ReplyDeleteWhy no headers? Of course, it immediately draws my attention to your site, but you must be having something on your mind to start on any piece on a given day, right?? Great blog, great philosophy of life, very true, and something I don't read a lot in 21st century blogging.. !
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Rachana.
Life is not that easy to be ourself..even to be someone else we admired required a great afford.
ReplyDeletebelieve it for yourself, discover the way I see it, let my eyes do the walking, listen don't force the naming of it, allow it too emerge. thanks so much Annx
ReplyDeletenice job! please if you have some time to read this, I gonna appreaciate it, "sometimes when I hear the wind, I can feel the call of the night, a call to turn into the being that everybody fear, a being made with darkness and the winter cold, the being inside me...now is free to make anything it want...just watch me."
ReplyDelete