Meaningful vs. Meaningless:
Finding meaningful quotes sounds easy. But it depends where you are and what you need to hear at this moment. If something you read or hear catches your ear, stops you in your tracks, or makes you go “Hmmmm”, then it’s meaningful for YOU right NOW. When this happens capture those words. Even it’s even only a scribble on a scrap of paper, or something you email or message to yourself, make an effort to collect them in some way for future consideration.
Don’t think about whether it’s a cliché, or if you’ve heard it a million times. Or it’s too cute. Or you’re not sure you quite understand why it affects you the ways it does. When your radar goes off, pay attention to it.
It’s constantly amazing to me that words of wisdom are literally all around us ~ yes, even in advertising ~ and we fail to see them because we discount the source. I’ve had life-changing insights while watching some mind-numbing entertainment because my brain was paying attention and heard something interesting between two minor characters who were just meant to fill out the cast roster.
Here are some of my favourite sources for quotes:
- "Womens" Magazines: I put “Womens” in quotes, because most magazines contain something quotable, but women’s magazines are full of them and some are *actually* inspiring.
- TED talks: I'd start with the top 20 TED talks of all time.
- Radio/Podcast Interviews: I listen to CBC AM quite a bit, and I have a pretty full list of podcasts as well. What I love most is to hear someone talking about something they’re passionate about, and how they got there. Scientists and artists especially. But anyone passionate about something is good. Here are two of my favourites podcasts: 99% Invisible, and Radiolab, which I first heard while shopping at The Regional Assembly of Text on Main Street (which is a whole other story). If you're new to podcasts and don't know where to start, I highly recommend CBC's Podcast Playlist ~ every episode introduces you to a couple of new podcasts around a theme. It's a pretty painless way to find new interesting people to listen to.
- Poetry: I know, who reads poetry these days? But it does happen, most often, sadly, in the context of shared traumatic events. I find it interesting that we still turn to poetry in these times. Try asking your friends if they have a favourite poem.
- Overheard Conversations: No, I don’t eavesdrop, but I do travel by public transit, and eat in restaurants, or wait at the doctor’s office or in line at the store. Learn to listen to the people around you. Although it seems unlikely, people are saying wise things all the time. We are all storytellers and experience-sharers at heart.
- Online sources: My two favourite sources for quotes are The Quote Garden, where everything is sorted by topic, and Goodreads, where you can search by keyword and author ~ perfect when you've *almost* remembered a quote correctly, butnot quite.
- Friends: this is perhaps the best source of all, since (presumably) you're already on the same wavelength, philosoophically speaking.
Good sources for images:
- Travel magazines: Sunsets, wide blue skies, foreign landscapes ~ perfect for getting out of your everyday head and focusing on some profound thoughts.
- Catalogs: I know it sounds odd, but what’s more calming than a beautifully stacked set of cups? Or woven blankets? See, you feel better already, don’t you? They spend a lot on the photography in magazines and catalogs to make things beautiful, take advantage of it.
I'll have more about combining words and images together in my next post.
And here's the usual handout for this class, ready to print:
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