It seems like suffering's the only time we can see what's essential. If peace ever comes back I'm making a vow: I'll design myself special glasses. They'll block out whether people are fat or thin or beautiful or weird-looking, whether they have pimples or birthmarks or different coloured skin. They'll do everything suffering's done for us, but without the pain. I'm going to wear those glasses for the rest of my life.
Interpretation
Suffering can reveal the true essence of life beyond superficial judgments based on appearance.
In this quote, John Marsden reflects on how suffering has a unique ability to strip away the trivial and superficial aspects of life, allowing us to see what is truly important. He expresses a desire to carry this perspective forward, symbolized by the idea of wearing 'special glasses' that help focus on essential qualities rather than outward appearances, emphasizing a vision of acceptance and understanding devoid of pain.
In practice
During a motivational speech about resilience, one might use this quote to illustrate how challenges can enhance our perspective.
So I found myself telling my own stories. It was strange: as I did it I realised how much we get shaped by our stories. It's like the stories of our lives make us the people we are. If someone had no stories, they wouldn't be human, wouldn't exist. And if my stories had been different I wouldn't be the person I am.
There are some things that once you've lost, you never get back. Innocence is one. Love is another. I guess childhood is a third.
There is nothing mysterious about the principles of the gospel. We have studied them in the scriptures, we have discussed them in Sunday School, and we have heard them from the pulpit many times. These divine principles and values are straightforward and clear; they are beautiful, profound, and powerful; and they can definitely help us to avoid future regrets.
What you're thinking, what you're saying, what you're doing, is having an impact on you and the people around you
Deep Listening is listening to everything all the time, and reminding yourself when you're not. But going below the surface too, it's an active process. It's not passive. I mean hearing is passive in that soundwaves hinge upon the eardrum. You can do both. You can focus and be receptive to your surroundings. If you're tuned out, then you're not in contact with your surroundings. You have to process what you hear. Hearing and listening are not the same thing.
We smile at the ignorance of the savage who cuts down the tree in order to reach its fruit; but the same blunder is made by every person who is over eager and impatient in the pursuit of pleasure.
It might be pardonable to refuse to defend some men, but to defend them negligently is nothing short of criminal.
If forty million people say a foolish thing it does not become a wise one.
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