At this time of year, our thoughts turn to growth and new life. Most religions have a spring festival celebrating the new life that is beginning in nature. Christians have Easter. For the Jews, there is Purim and Passover. In Iran, they celebrate Nowruz, which means “The New Day” in Persian. It’s origins are in the ancient religious ideas of Zoroastrianism. Hindus celebrate Holi, a festival that welcomes the spring, which also celebrates Krishna, and the legend of Holika and Prahalad. Bonfires are lit to celebrate. Many celebrate the Equinox marking the beginning of spring. Most every culture does something to mark the turning of the year, and the return of spring with its promise of growth and ultimately harvest.
We humans also grow, though not with the same regularity of the seasons. Many do feel a newness of life and purpose at this time of year, however. But we can always take a step towards our growth whether it is spring, fall, or the dead of winter.
Here are some of my favorite quotes about growth.
The human way of growing is unique; it has no rules, and can occur in many ways.–Marsha Sinetar
The body grows slowly and steadily but the soul grows by leaps and bounds. It may come to its full stature in an hour.–L. M. Montgomery
Change is inevitable, growth is intentional.–Glenda Cloud
Do you want my one-word secret of happiness? It’s growth–mental, financial, you name it–Harold S. Geneen
Everything will change. The only question is growing up or decaying.–Nikki Giovanni
Growth itself contains the germ of happiness.–Pearl S. Buck
He not busy being born is busy dying.–Bob Dylan
Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.–Karen Kaiser Clark
There is always new life trying to emerge in each of us. Too often we ignore the signs of resurrection and cling to part of life that have died for us.–Joan Chittister
We all carry the seeds of greatness within us, but we need an image as a point of focus in order that they may sprout.–Epictetus
We were meant to grow. When we don’t grow, we seek diversions–some harmless (if unproductive), others destructive–to fill the emptiness.–Jim Clemmer
And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.–Anais Nin
May you find the joy that growth brings with it this season.
Find nearly 9000 inspirational quotes and a link to the Quote of the Day list at http://www.quotelady.com.
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