Unlike a fountain that circulates the same water in an enclosed, perpetually recycling system, a human being circulates thoughts in an unlimited reservoir of self. Don't limit yourself to being a mere fountain when you contain an ocean.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the vast potential of human thought and creativity beyond self-imposed limitations.
Vera Nazarian's quote contrasts the limited nature of a fountain's water cycle with the boundless capacity of human thought. It suggests that like an ocean, we possess endless ideas and possibilities within us; thus, we should not confine ourselves to narrow perspectives but embrace the vastness of our potential.
In practice
In a motivational seminar about personal growth.
For values or guiding principles to be truly effective they have to be verbs. It's not "integrity," it's "always do the right thing." It's not "innovation," it's "look at the problem from a different angle." Articulating our values as verbs gives us a clear idea - we have a clear idea of how to act in any situation.
What other people do shouldn't affect you - we do things because of the kind of person we each want to be
Look at the weaknesses of others with compassion, not accusation. It's not what they're not doing or should be doing that's the issue. The issue is your own chosen response to the situation and what you should be doing. If you start to think the problem is "out there," stop yourself. That thought is the problem.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angles, but am note nice, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but am not nice, I am nothing. If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but am not nice, I gain nothing.
I’ve often been accused of being too emotional and sentimental, but I believe in honest sentiment, and the need to purge ourselves at certain times, which is ancient. Men would live at least five or six more years and not have ulcers if they could cry better.
Sometimes you just have to bite your upper lip and put sunglasses on.
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