Thoreau

I really like how straightforward Thoreau's writings are.

"When we are unhurried and wise, we perceive that only great and worthy things have any permanent and absolute existence, that petty fears and petty pleasures are but the shadow of the reality." Sometimes it can be so easy to get distracted away form what's most important, and lose focus. It's important to keep only the truly 'big things' as 'big things,' and not let other things get out of perspective. It can be very destructive to major in the minors of life.

"Children, who play life, discern its true law and relations more clearly than men, who fail to live it worthily, but who think they are wiser by experience, that is, by failure." Kids see things so much more clearly and simply than adults do sometimes. Details are allowed to complicated things. I wanted my kids to develop critical thinking skills, so when they were growing up I would seize opportunities to let them come up with solutions to things, instead of arbitrarily implementing my adult solution. I was amazed at their ideas. They came up with things I hadn't even thought of! The simplicity and purity of thought children have is inspiring! Now if only they could do my homework! :)

"The universe constantly and obediently answers to our conceptions; whether we travel fast or slow, the track is laid for us." We really have more input and power in our lives than we might think. It pays to use wisdom in your thought life and outward life, for what we sow we reap.