I have often been asked what my favorite quotes are. I have so many favorites that it is difficult to choose only a few. I believe my choice at any particular moment may depend on my frame of mind or mood. I may be looking for wisdom, inspiration, motivation, or comfort. Then again, there may be times when I read something that hits me at a deep level, words that resonate within me, touch me deeply, or even move me to tears.
I would say that this Lord Byron quote would be near the top
of my list, as it really says it all about the power of the written word. It was for that reason that I chose a part of
his quote for my non-fiction book title, A Small Drop of Ink. The words of Lord
Byron, penned many years ago:
“Words are things;
and a small drop of ink,
Falling like dew upon
a thought, produces
That which makes
thousands, perhaps millions think.”
The goal of the creative process is to move thoughts toward
things so they can be experienced and shared by others. Thoughts become things when expressed. Words
can produce vivid mental images. This
quote does that for me. I see that small
drop of black ink falling down upon a thought, and the ink allowing the words
to be indelibly stamped into the mind of millions to experience. Some of the most enjoyable quotations are
metaphors, literally a figure of speech in which a word or phrase that is
ordinarily and primarily used to describe one thing or event is used to
describe another. The metaphor provides
color, harmonies, musical notes, symphonic results, and that allows for you to
feel the words as they cascade through you.
A way to emphasize that feeling is to read aloud. In doing so, the words magically move from a
somewhat static form to one that comes alive with the help of vocal
expression.
One can’t help but wonder if English poet Lord George Gordon
Byron (1788-1824) had any idea of the impact of his quote on future
generations. Obviously, as a successful
poet he probably had a good idea that his works would be enjoyed by future
generations. What I find so interesting
about a collection of famous quotes that spans centuries is that the quotes are often
as illuminating in today’s modern world as they may have been when written or
spoken.
Another quotation that is a personal favorite is this by
Albert Einstein:
"There are only
two ways to live your life.
One is as though
nothing is a miracle.
The other is as if
everything is."
I choose to believe that everything is a miracle. I hope you do, too. It is also my hope that you find my
collection a treasure and that you keep it beside your favorite chair or
bedside and read it when you desire pearls of wisdom on such things as life,
success, beauty, creativity and love. You
can find it at Amazon.com, both in Print and Kindle.
~Linda
