Petras Kathryn - Nothing is worth more than this day. : finding joy in every moment

Nothing is worth more than this day.

finding joy in every moment

Kathryn & Ross Petras

Workman Publishing New York

Contents

Introduction

There is always something to celebrate, whether it is the first green tip of a snowdrop pushing up or the gathering of suncrisped shirts fresh off the clothesline. There are flowers to count and fruit to harvest. So said artist Nikki McClure.

And she is right. There is always something to celebrate... which is the point of this book. Weve collected 337 quotations to remind us all that if you know where and how to look, youll always find something to make you smile, to give you a shot of positive energy, and to allow you to rejoice in life.

Nothing Is Worth More Than This Day is a pick-me-up for those days when you just want to crawl back into bed and pull the covers over your head. Its also a call to actiona means for getting and maintaining a positive attitude (which may even make you richer, at least according to research by psychologist Suzanne Segerstrom, who found that optimistic law students earned an average of $32,667 more than their pessimistic peers!). But happiness is its own reward, of course, as the people quoted in this bookfrom Roman emperors to jazz musicians, from Maya Angelou to Frank Zappawould quickly tell you. Its a varied group, but they have one thing in common: They know how to find happiness no matter what.

Ultimately, much boils down to how you choose to look at things. For example, take the old Is the glass half empty or half full? question. Optimists, it is said, see that proverbial glass as half full, while pessimists see it as half empty. But others point out that the glass is actually completely fullhalf with water and the other half with air. And still others say, Who cares?all you have to do is get a pitcher of water and fill the dang glass!

And thats exactly what this book is designed to doto fill your proverbial glass with optimism and good cheer, with quotes from people who embrace the day and celebrate life in all of its fullness.

#1

The beginning is always today.

attributed to Mary Wollstonecraft, feminist/writer

#2

My future starts when I wake up every morning. Thats when it startswhen I wake up and see the first light. Then, Im grateful.

Miles Davis, jazz musician

#3

Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we dont even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a childour own two eyes. All is a miracle.

Thch Nht Hanh, Buddhist monk

#4

People dont realize, how important it is to wake up every morning with a song in your heart.

Jiddu Krishnamurti, philosopher

#5

It takes no more time to see the good side of life than to see the bad.

Jimmy Buffett, singer/songwriter

#6

What day is it?

Its today, squeaked Piglet.

My favorite day, said Pooh.

A. A. Milne, writer

#7

Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.

Immanuel Kant, philosopher

#8

If you feel like tapping your feet, tap your feet. If you feel like clapping your hands, clap your hands. And if you feel like taking off your shoes, take off your shoes. We are here to have a ball. So we want you to leave your worldly troubles outside and come in here and swing.

Art Blakey, jazz musician

#9

You cant deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants.

Stephen King, writer

#10

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.

Arthur Rubinstein, classical pianist

#11

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

Albert Schweitzer, humanitarian

#12

Stay low, stay quiet, keep it simple, dont expect too much, enjoy what you have.

Dean Koontz, writer

#13

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was Thank You, that would suffice.

Meister Eckhart, theologian/philosopher

#14

When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be aliveto breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.

Marcus Aurelius, emperor/philosopher

#15

One of the secrets of a happy life is continuous small treats.

Iris Murdoch, writer

#16

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

Eleanor Roosevelt, humanitarian

#17

If everyone started off the day singing, just think how happy theyd be.

Lauren Myracle, writer

#18

If it sounds good and feels good, then it is good!

Duke Ellington, jazz musician

#19

Your problem is how you are going to spend this one odd and precious life you have been issued. Whether youre going to live it trying to look good and creating the illusion that you have power over people and circumstances, or whether you are going to taste it, enjoy it, and find out the truth about who you are.

Anne Lamott, writer

#20

Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass... its about learning to dance in the rain.

Vivian Greene, writer

#21

The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.

Oprah Winfrey, media mogul

#22

These flowers will be rotten in a couple hours. Birds will crap on them. The smoke here will make them stink, and tomorrow a bulldozer will probably run over them, but for right now they are so beautiful.

Chuck Palahniuk, writer

#23

With the Past as past I have nothing to do, nor with the Future as future. I live now, & will verify (the) all past history in my own moments.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, poet/essayist

#24

I cant begin to describe a day as wonderful as this. One marvel after another, each lasting less than five minutes, it was enough to drive one mad.

Claude Monet, painter

#25

Stop a moment, cease your work, look around you.

Leo Tolstoy, writer

#26

I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasnt arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and Im going to be happy in it.

Groucho Marx, comedian/producer

#27

Each day, in itself, brings with it an eternity.

Paulo Coelho, writer

#28

If you enjoy living, it is not difficult to keep the sense of wonder.

Ray Bradbury, writer

#29

If we are ever to enjoy life, now is the timenot tomorrow, nor next year, nor in some future life after we have died.... Today should always be our most wonderful day.

Thomas Dreier, editor/business theorist

#30

Laughter is an instant vacation.

Milton Berle, comedian

#31

It doesnt matter if Im off the beat. It doesnt matter if Im snapping to the rhythm. It doesnt matter if I look like a complete goon when I dance. It is my dance. It is my moment. It is mine. And dance I will. Try and stop me. Youll probably get kicked in the face.

Dan Pearce, writer

#32

Im just enjoying my life. I suggest you try it.

Tyler Perry, actor/director

#33

You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.