The best poems take long journeys. I like poetry best that journeys--while remaining in the human scale--to the other world, which may be a place as easily overlooked as a bee's wing
Robert BlyRead
As I've gotten older, I find I am able to be nourished more by sorrow and to distinguish it from depression.
Interpretation
What this quote means
With age, one can learn to appreciate sorrow as a valuable experience rather than confusing it with depression.
This quote by Robert Bly reflects the idea that maturity brings a deeper understanding of emotions. As individuals grow older, they often learn to recognize the difference between productive sorrow, which can lead to personal growth and insight, and depression, which may hinder their functioning and well-being. This distinction allows for a healthier relationship with one's feelings, enabling a more nuanced approach to life's challenges.
Themes
SorrowDepressionGrowthWisdomMaturity
In practice
Example use cases
In a therapy session discussing emotional growth.
More from Robert Bly
All quotes βI am proud only of those days that pass in undivided tenderness.
Robert BlyRead
My feeling is that poetry is also a healing process, and then when a person tries to write poetry with depth or beauty, he will find himself guided along paths which will heal him, and this is more important, actually, than any of the poetry he writes.
Robert BlyRead
Every part of you that you do not love will regress and become hostile towards you.
Robert BlyRead
The door to the soul is unlocked; you do not need to please the doorkeeper, the door in front of you is yours, intended for you, and the doorkeeper obeys when spoken to.
Robert BlyRead
Don't go outside your house to see flowers. My friend, don't bother with that excursion. Inside your body there are flowers. One flower has a thousand petals. That will do for a place to sit. Sitting there you will have a glimpse of beauty inside the body and out of it, before gardens and after gardens.
Robert BlyRead
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If, however, you take a moment to observe how you actually feel immediately after you criticise someone, you'll notice that you will feel a little deflated and ashamed, almost like you're the one who has been attacked. The reason this is true is that when we criticise, it's a statement to the world and to ourselves, "I have a need to be critical." This isn't something we are usually proud to admit.
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A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
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