You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Elizabeth GilbertRead
The act of quiet nighttime talking, illustrates for me more than anything else the curious alchemy of companionship.
Interpretation
Quiet conversations at night highlight the deep connection between friends or companions.
In this quote, Elizabeth Gilbert reflects on the profound bond that forms through intimate conversations during the quiet moments of the night. She suggests that these exchanges serve as a transformative force in relationships, as they allow individuals to connect deeply and share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that underscores the magic of companionship.
In practice
During a gathering, I quoted Gilbert to emphasize the value of deep conversations with friends.
You know the old adage: Plant an expectation, reap a disappointment.
Do not apologize for crying. Without this emotion, we are only robots.
I had always been taught that the pursuit of happiness was my natural (even national) birthright. It is the emotional trademark of my culture to seek happiness. Not just any kind of happiness, either, but profound happiness, even soaring happiness. And what could possibly bring a person more soaring happiness than romantic love.
When I tried this morning, after an hour or so of unhappy thinking, to dip back into my meditation, I took a new idea with me: compassion. I asked my heart if it could please infuse my soul with a more generous perspective on my mind's workings. Instead of thinking that I was a failure, could I perhaps accept that I am only a human being--and a normal one, at that?
And when you sense a faint potentiality for happiness after such dark times you must grab onto the ankles of that happiness and not let go until it drags you face-first out of the dirt - this is not selfishness, but obligation. You were given life; it is your duty to find something beautiful within life no matter how slight.
But never again use another person's body or emotions as a scratching post for your own unfulfilling yearnings.
Daughter of Eve from the far land of Spare Oom where eternal summer reigns around the bright city of War Drobe, how would it be if you came and had tea with me?
He accused me of being Dumbledore's man through and through." "How very rude of him." "I told him I was." Dumbledore opened his mouth to speak and then closed it again. Fawkes the phoenix let out a low, soft, musical cry. To Harry's intense embarrassment, he suddenly realized that Dumbledore's bright blue eyes looked rather watery, and stared hastily at his own knee. When Dumbledore spoke, however, his voice was quite steady. "I am very touched, Harry.
Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow ripening fruit.
Some people go to priests; others to poetry; I to my friends.
But, of course, it isn't really Good-bye, because the Forest will always be there... and anybody who is Friendly with Bears can find it.
We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet. Even longer,' Pooh answered.
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