Note #12

To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Note #11

A room without books is like a body without a soul

- Cicero

Note #10

The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think,
than what to think - rather to improve our minds,
so as to enable us to think for ourselves,
than to load the memory with thoughts of other men.

- Bill Beattie

The way our education system is set up, I have thought about this before. You go through primary or elementary school being taught how to think a certain way. When it comes to thinking for yourself, in your own unique way, you don't know how. The few classes where you are supposed to be able to be free and think the way you wish, such as art classes, dance, drama, we are all told what to do and how to do it. When we stray from these in any way, we are told we are doing it wrong and that we aren't creative enough. As much as our education systems may set us up for universities or colleges or jobs, they don't set us up to think for ourselves. This is how our history will repeat itself. With everyone thinking the same way as our predecessors.

Note #9

Most people would rather be certain they're miserable,
than to risk being happy.

- Robert Anthony

Note #8

I believe in ordinary acts of bravery,
in the courage that drives one person to stand up for another

- Veronica Roth, Divergent.

I have spent the past two days rereading Divergent to prepare myself for the next novel (yes, I am one of those people) and I came across this one last night in my late night reading frenzy. I think it's just one of those things that doesn't need to be said, but at the same time, for those people who have gone a little astray and aren't always thinking of how they affect others it's something they need to be reminded of. That standing up for another person is considered brave, and that's something not everyone can do easily.

Note #7

You're not a bad person.

You're a very good person, who bad things have happened to.

Besides, the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters.

We've all got both light and dark inside us.

What matters is the part we choose to act on.

That's who we really are.

- Sirius Black, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

This is by far one of my most favourite book quotes from the entire Harry Potter franchise. I saw a photo of the scene the other day and immediately thought I must put that on here for everyone to see. I just love how it applies to everything and its the truth (apart from Death Eaters, we don't have those). I think if everyone realised that we as individuals could all act upon the good inside, the communities we're involved in (whether it's online, work, school etc.) would be a much more pleasant and productive place. 

Note #6

For even the very wise cannot see all ends

- J. R. R. Tolkien

Note #5

Don't only practise your art, 

but force your way into its secrets,

for it and knowledge can raise men to the divine.

- Ludwig van Beethoven

Note #4

"Becoming fearless isn't the point.

That's impossible.

Its learning how to control your fear,

and how to be free from it."

- Veronica Roth, Divergent.

This week I decided to buy the Divergent box set so in my excitement to read the series, I picked out a line I found quite interesting and relevant to, I imagine, all readers who have had to face a fear in the past.

Note #3

And that's the thing about people who mean everything they say, 
They think everyone else does too.

- Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

Note #2

Clarity and focus doesn’t always come from God or inspirational quotes. 
Usually, it takes your mother to slap the reality back into you.

                                           

                             - Shannon L. Alder

Note #1

All that is gold does not glitter,

Not all those who wander are lost;

The old that is strong does not wither,

Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,

A light from the shadows shall spring;

Renewed shall be blade that was broken,

The crownless again shall be king.

        - J. R. R. Tolkien