Ralph Waldo Emerson

There was one quote in paritcular in this reading by Ralph Waldo Emerson, that I really enjoyed.

"Instead of feeling a poverty when we encounter a great man, let us treat the new comer like a traveling geologist who passes through our estate and shows us good slate, or limestone, or anthracite, in our brush pasture."

What I understood from this statement, was that we shouldn't focus on our inadequacy especially by comparing ourselves to others that may appear more sucessful. Instead we should open our eyes to any lesson that can be learned from what that individual in beholding in their soul. The appearance of success is what may attract us to be interested in someone, but we should always pay more attention to a persons kindness, honesty, and all things that are deeper than only surface appearance.

Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein states:

"Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison [the illusion of ourselves being separate from the universe] by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living beings and all of nature".

Wow! What a beautiful statement from Einstein, and I couldn't agree more. For some reason we all get so consumed with our own lives. Our own happiness, and suffering can cause us to live in this type of "prison" that Einstein is describing. The prison that causes us to forget about others around us, and to show compassion for every living being. If only we could widen our nurturing to everything we come in contact everyday, it could potenially make such an impact to those around us.