motivation – Friends of Words

“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?” – Yoda

yoda and a caption that says "size matters not"

Star Wars has slowly and steadily crept into my hard drive and minimal wardrobe. It has taken decades to be where it is in my life, but I can safely say it is here to stay. And more than anything else, it is because of Yoda. Yoda is the grammar-agnostic voice of wisdom, one that makesContinue reading ““Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?” – Yoda”

Cathedral by Raymond Carver: Summary, Analysis and Review

a picture of raymond carver with the text "cathedral - a short story by raymond carver" written on it

Cathedral is a short story written by Raymond Carver. This story was included in the ‘Best American Short Stories’ (1982). It’s the story of how a man’s perspective about blind people changes dramatically when he meets an extraordinary blind man who introduces him to a new realm of experience. “Cathedral” What’s the first thing thatContinue reading “Cathedral by Raymond Carver: Summary, Analysis and Review”

Do You Ask What is the Proper Limit to Wealth? It is First to Have What is Necessary and Second to Have What is Enough – Seneca’s Letter from a Stoic

the quote "Do you ask what is the proper limit to wealth It is first to have what is necessary and second to have what is enough" written against a blue background

Every time I watch the movie Crazy Rich Asians, two things happen: Thing #1 My jaws drop like an idiot. Realizing that, I brace myself, close my mouth and smile like an idiot, my eyes shine like a maniac every ten minutes (or so my people that watch it with me tell me). This continuesContinue reading “Do You Ask What is the Proper Limit to Wealth? It is First to Have What is Necessary and Second to Have What is Enough – Seneca’s Letter from a Stoic”

When There Is No One Left In The Living World Who Remembers You, You Disappear From This World. We Call It The Final Death

I got to hear this line recently while watching the Disney-Pixar movie Coco. Without ruining the movie for you, this quote is basically about dead people who are alive in their afterlife conditional on people in the living world remembering them. You and I both have seen movies emphasizing the importance of familial ties andContinue reading “When There Is No One Left In The Living World Who Remembers You, You Disappear From This World. We Call It The Final Death”

I Don’t Know Why It Should Be, I Am Sure; But The Sight Of Another Man Asleep In Bed When I Am Up, Maddens Me: Jerome K. Jerome

the quote "I don't know why it should be I am sure but the sight of another man asleep in bed when I am up maddens me" against a blue background

I came across this quote during a re-read of the famous comic classic and my personal favorite Three Men in A Boat by Jerome k. Jerome. In addition to making me smile, it took me on a trip down the memory lane. I don’t know about you but I cannot bear the thought of havingContinue reading “I Don’t Know Why It Should Be, I Am Sure; But The Sight Of Another Man Asleep In Bed When I Am Up, Maddens Me: Jerome K. Jerome”

Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are: Theodore Roosevelt

the quote "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." against a blue background

As simple as these words sound, the impact that they have when you let them sink in is profound. Have you seen one of those people that are constantly in their future, either imagining it in all its glory or dreading it? I have. I am one of those people. This is what my dayContinue reading “Do What You Can, With What You Have, Where You Are: Theodore Roosevelt”

A Man Who Carries a Cat by the Tail Learns Something He Can Learn in No Other Way: Mark Twain

the quote "A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way" writtena against a blue background

When I first came across this quote, a short film started playing in my head: Someone (not me, I promise!) is carrying a cat by its tail; the cat, seeing that its upside down, is understandably confused and angry, violently lunging to attain a normal posture. After several attempts, it finally manages to strike theContinue reading “A Man Who Carries a Cat by the Tail Learns Something He Can Learn in No Other Way: Mark Twain”

Many People Die at 25 and Aren’t Buried Until They are 75: Benjamin Franklin

the quote "many people die at 25 and aren't buried until they are 75" by benjamin franklin written against a blue background

Did you understand the meaning of this quote when you first read it in the title? To be honest, I didn’t. In fact, when I first read this famous quote by Benjamin Franklin (an American scientist, inventor, politician and the man whose face is printed on the US dollar), I thought I read it wrong.Continue reading “Many People Die at 25 and Aren’t Buried Until They are 75: Benjamin Franklin”

You Don’t Drown by Falling in Water; You Drown by Staying There: E.L Cole

the quote 'you don't drown by faling in water, you drown by staying there' written against a dark blue background

If the same analogy is to apply to the situation that the world finds itself in, what’s the next step? COVID-19 has affected everyday lives of people around the world. We are all drowning in the news coming from all directions. We are drowning in depressing news of people dying, doctors having to make choicesContinue reading “You Don’t Drown by Falling in Water; You Drown by Staying There: E.L Cole”

Wound Is The Place Where Light Enters You – Rumi

the quote 'wound is the place where light enters you' written on a blue background

Sadness, disappointment, anguish, hopelessness… We, being humans, are prone to feeling these emotions more frequently than we would like to admit. The triggers that could lead us to this pit are too many to count. Loss of a loved one, struggle with a chronic illness, a crippling disability, lack of financial resources, one or manyContinue reading “Wound Is The Place Where Light Enters You – Rumi”