Quote of the Day – July 10 2012

“Never try to do anything that is outside of who you are. A forced smile is a sign of what feels wrong in your heart, so recognize it when it happens. Living a lie will reduce you to one.”
― Ashly Lorenzana

For only the second or third time since I started doing the daily quote I am including a quote that I am having a difficult time with. Oh the basic idea I agree with that ideally we should live our lives in such a way as to express honestly who we are at any moment. Yet in the lives most of us live there seem to arise times when it is necessary to smile. Showing anger at your boss in social situations does not lend to job security. Becoming frustrated around in-laws is not conducive to harmony in marriage.

I am not advocating phoniness. In these types of situations I try to find reasons to smile. It’s all a matter of focus. Do you pay attention to your boss belittling you in subtle or not so subtle jabs or do you enjoy the decor of the resturant or the beautiful hillside and sunset? There is always something positive to focus on tho sometimes it can be difficult to do it. Tho with practice it becomes easier. For me it comes down to this Do I want to be the guy who is usually and easily frustrated or the guy who finds something to enjoy in most situations?
Blessings, G

Click on images to see full-size

Forces at  Work by G A  Rosenberg

18 thoughts on “Quote of the Day – July 10 2012”

  1. Hello–
    I’ve been visiting your site on a regular basis for some time now, and very much enjoy your insights and your art. I have not felt compelled to leave a comment, however–until now. This is an interesting subject, and it is one with which I have had some experience. I don’t think that Ashly is implying that we not smile, even when it might be difficult or forced. I think what truly matters is that we become aware of and sensitive to any incongruities that might exist between our outward self and our larger Self, and address those incongruities if they exist. Our mission is, at least in part, to find that sometimes elusive state of Bliss in any situation. This can be very difficult if we do not allow ourselves to be authentic by wearing masks–whether they be smile-masks or anger-masks or apathy-masks or whatever. Not wanting to hurt someone’s feelings on occasion is one thing. Being in a loveless marriage or working at a joyless occupation for months or years, all the while wearing a mask and knowing that we are not on a path that leads to Bliss, is living a lie. There eventually comes a point when a decision is required–be who we are meant to be, or be what someone else might have us be. In my opinion, the latter ultimately harms everyone involved. I have left lucrative jobs, and have had relationships end because I decided, often reluctantly, that being authentic and true to Who We Really Are is what matters most in this life. That, at least, is what I’ve come to believe.
    Peace to you–
    Nicolas

    1. Peace to you as well and thanks for your comment. It definitely included things I needed to hear. Blessings

    1. I have to say I agree tho wonder what a world would be like where full honest expression reigned. Thanks 🙂

      1. ‘Twould be a wonderful thing (full honest expression) if we were without so many of the negative traits that humans exhibit. Until we reach a grander, more pure stage of development though, I believe we’ll have to content ourselves with full honest disclosure only where it can be accepted and honoured…. 😉

      2. This comment brought to mind a quote from one of my favorite books of all time–“Illusions” by Richard Bach:
        –Your only obligation in any lifetime is to be true to yourself. Being true to anyone else or anything else is not only impossible, but the mark of a false messiah.–

        1. One of my favourite books as well and quotes from it have featured regularly in these pages…I just may use that as tonight’s quote (two others so frar have gotten bumped ) 🙂

  2. Oh I remember being told that I was mean because I didn’t smile, while I worked at a private language institute in China. I didn’t get it, at all. I even asked for more detail about the event in question and was told that the parents thought me mean because I didn’t smile enough. My response to the center manager was, I am not going to put on a fake smile to please other people. Smiles are given from the heart; truly genuine smiles. I suppose in that culture, giving a fake smile is more valuable than being authentic. It was part of why I resigned and half of why I become ill.

    BTW, I LOVE reading your quotes in my inbox whenever they come in. I want to respond more often, but I have found myself sharing them on FB.

    You have also inspired me to share more of my Dreams, through the use of quotes. Thank you for the inspiration, all around.

    1. Thank you for your wonderful thoughtful comment, your kind words and for enjoying my site. Sometimes it seems more of a balancing act than others

    1. Thank you for writing something that inspired and summed up so well the start of a whole week’s musing on identity.

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