"Go Outside; Enjoy the Sun and All Nature."
"At such moments I don't think about all the misery, but about the beauty that still remains. This is where Mother and I differ greatly. Her advice in the face of melancholy is: 'Think about all the suffering in the world and be thankful you're not part of it.' My advice is: 'Go outside, to the country, enjoy the sun and all nature has to offer. Go outside and try to recapture the happiness within yourself; think of all the beauty in yourself and in everything around you and be happy.'
I don't think Mother's advice can be right, because what are you supposed to do if you become part of the suffering? You'd be completely lost. On the contrary, beauty remains, even in misfortune. If you just look for it, you discover more and more happiness and regain your balance. A person's who's happy will make others happy; a person who has courage and faith will never die in misery!"
-- Anne Frank, The Diary of Anne Frank
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Interested in starting your own happiness project? If you’d like to take a look at my personal Resolutions Chart, for inspiration, just email me at grubin, then the “at” sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. (Sorry about writing it in that roundabout way; I’m trying to thwart spammers.) Just write “Resolutions Chart” in the subject line.
Gorgeous quote and so true
Posted by: k- floortime lite mama | June 28, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Life is just a series of trying to make up your mind.
Posted by: runescape gold | June 28, 2009 at 11:23 PM
This is one of my all-time favorite books: I must have read it twenty times. I plan to read it again soon.
The Frank family did endure horrible suffering, and each coped the best way he or she could, which is different for every person. Certainly I have had both of these attitudes in different situations. I think both were right.
Posted by: wordsprite | June 28, 2009 at 11:29 PM
What an amazing post... this is so true, if we become a part of all the suffering in the world, we are completely lost.
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Posted by: air jordan | June 28, 2009 at 11:47 PM
This has been an exceptionally challenging year for so many of us. Seeing the economy plummet, loved ones getting sick, businesses & jobs evaporate.
The other day was beautiful--I had the day off from work, but all I could focus on was all the work I had to do in the house & garden.
Thankfully, I read Tim Kreider's wisdom in the NYT.
Tim: "Fourteen years ago I was stabbed in the throat. The point is that after my unsuccessful murder I wasn't unhappy for an entire year."
His piece certainly changed my outlook about enjoying sunny days--OUTSIDE.
There will always be clouds and work. I need to remember to take time for sun and fun while I still can.
For the rest of the story:
http://www.happyhealthylonglife.com/happy_healthy_long_life/2009/06/reprieve.html
Posted by: The Healthy Librarian | June 29, 2009 at 06:40 AM
Wow! That's one of the best quotes I've heard recently.
Posted by: Vi | Maximizing Utility | June 29, 2009 at 08:41 AM
She was a deep and irreplaceable soul. This is a great part of the book.
Posted by: Meream | June 29, 2009 at 09:33 AM
What a beautiful quote! It reminded me why I loved the Diary of Anne Frank so much.
Posted by: Tootie | June 29, 2009 at 09:43 AM
What a great quote. I love this part in particular: "Go outside and try to recapture the happiness within yourself; think of all the beauty in yourself and in everything around you and be happy." Capturing the happiness within ourselves is one of the most important things we can do. Anne Frank was such an inspiring person!
Posted by: Positively Present | June 29, 2009 at 10:33 AM
Oh, what a lovely quote from someone who can speak of such things so truthfully and deeply in spite of/because of her experience and perspective.
Posted by: emily-sarah | June 29, 2009 at 10:37 AM
Thank you for sharing this quote, Gretchen! Everytime I read one of your posts on a book you are reading for your kid lit bookclubs, I think, "I have got to read this one!" I still haven't but each one you mention is on a special list that I will get to soon. Thank you, thank you!
Posted by: Jodi at Joy Discovered | June 29, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Yes, everything was created for the person to enjoy and to please the heart: the Sun, endless blue sky, gorgeous flowers, and birds singing...
Posted by: GenuineWoman | June 29, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Love the article.
Check out my fiction at http://newfiction.com
Thanks
Tom
Posted by: Tom Lopy | June 29, 2009 at 01:00 PM
Thank you for reminding me I need to pick this book up again...
So unbelievable that such innocent wisdom comes from a young woman.
Veronica
Moment-to-Moment Optimism
www.drrussbuss.com
Posted by: Veronica | June 29, 2009 at 01:15 PM
I love that book. One time in Amsterdam I went to her house and was blown away. I still remember it vividly even after 10 years!
Posted by: Christopher | June 29, 2009 at 10:41 PM