When I knew I couldn't suffer another moment of pain, and tears fell on my bloody bindings, my mother spoke softly into my ear, encouraging me to go one more hour, one more day, one more week, reminding me of the rewards I would have if I carried on a little longer. In this way, she taught me how to endure — not just the physical trials of footbinding and childbearing but the more torturous pain of the heart, mind, and soul.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of perseverance through pain with the support of loved ones.
In this quote, Lisa See reflects on the profound lessons of endurance imparted by her mother during times of extreme suffering. With encouragement and reminders of future rewards, her mother instilled in her the strength to confront both physical hardships and the deeper emotional challenges of life. This guidance is a testament to the power of support and resilience in overcoming life's trials.
In practice
In a motivational speech to encourage athletes during a tough competition.
Nu shu means women's writing. And it was a secret writing system that was invented by women, used by women and kept a secret by women in one very remote county in China for a thousand years. It's the only language that was invented and used by women to have been found anywhere in the world.
a laotong relationship is made by choice...when we first looked in each other's eyes in the palanquin I felt something special pass between us--like a spark to start a fire or a seed to grow rice. But a single spark is not enough to warm a room nor is a single seed enough to grow a fruitful crop. Deep love--true-heart love--must grow.
I am still learning about love. I thought I understood it--not just mother love, but the love for one's parents, for one's husband, and for one's laotong. I've experienced the other types of love--pity love, respectful love and gratitude love. But looking at our secret fan with its messages written between Snow Flower and me over many years, I see that I didn't value the most important love--deep-heart love.
At 17, the first time I saw a dead body, I froze. By 31 it was a natural occurrence for me, and no group of people should live like that.
Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.
Ever notice how you come across somebody once in a while you shouldn't have messed with? That's me.
Vulnerability is about showing up and being seen. It's tough to do that when we're terrified about what people might see or think.
Charles de Foucauld, the found of the Little Brothers of Jesus, wrote a single sentence that's ahad a profound impact on my life. He said, "The one thing we owe absolutely to God is never to be afraid of anything." Never to be afraid of anything, even death, which, after all, is but that final breakthrough into the open, waiting, outstretched arms of Abba.
Do one thing every day that scares you.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.