Sayings, Quotes, Proverbs, and Parables – 292

You can also read a transcript of this episode.

Do you have a few sayings or quotes that support your recovery? How do you use them?

Spencer and Eric explore a long list of sayings, quotes, proverbs, and parables. We talked about all of these, some at length, and some quite briefly. Some of these have dates in the form month/day, which refer to readings in the book Courage to Change.

  • Take what you like and leave the rest.
  • Let it begin with me.
  • You are not alone.
  • Don’t pick up the rope.
  • I don't have to attend every dog fight I'm invited to.
  • not my monkeys not my circus
  • There are only two types of business; my business, and none of my business.
  • We’re only as sick as our secrets.
  • Move a muscle, change a thought. (Act my way into right thinking.)
  • Don’t just do something, sit there. When in doubt don’t.
  • First thought, wrong thought.
  • I am a human being, not a human doing.
  • Participation is the key to harmony.
  • Worry is like a rocking chair; going back and forth and going nowhere.
  • The only way I can push people, is away from me.
  • Say what you mean but don’t say it meanly.
  • The enemy of serenity is indecision and hurry.
  • Came, Came to, and Came to Believe!
  • Show up, wake up, smarten up.
  • I can’t, he can, I think I’ll let him.
  • “If you understand, things are just as they are.  If you don’t understand, things are just as they are.” Zen proverb.
  • It works if you work it!
  • If nothing changes, nothing changes.
  • Let go or be dragged.
  • Stop living in the wreckage of the future.
  • Life on life’s terms.
  • Keep my head where my feet are.
  • Fear and faith can’t live in the same house.
  • When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
  • What other people think of me is none of my business.
  • Do the next right thing.
  • If I don’t have 5 minutes to meditate, take 10.
  • My best thinking got me here.
  • If my only prayer today is thank you, that will suffice.
  • The family situation is bound to improve as we apply the Al-Anon ideas.
  • I may not get everything I want today but I have everything I need.
  • Forgiveness is letting go of hoping for a better yesterday.
  • Look back but don’t stare.
  • Parable of the two wolves — Which one wins? The one you feed.
  • When going through hell, keep going.
  • When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot.
  • When 1 door closes, another door opens, but living in the hallway is hell.
  • Before sunlight shines through a window, the blinds must be raised.  American – 3/5
  • Patience is the key to paradise.  Turkish – 5/14
  • When we talk of tomorrow, God laughs.  Chinese – 5/17
  • The highest for of wisdom is kindness.  The Talmud – 4/13
  • “Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.” Abe Lincoln
  • “Courage faces fear and thereby masters it.”  MLK Jr – 8/6
  • “Even if I knew tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree.”  Martin Luther – 11/5
  • “The oak grows stronger in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.”  Peter Marshal – 3/23
  • “There is no try.  There is do or not do.”  Yoda
  • “Fear leads to hate, hate to anger, anger to suffering.”  Yoda
  • “Example is not the main thing in influencing others.  It is the only thing.” Albert Schweitzer – 12/9

Readings and Links

Links to longer explanations about or readings of the parables we discussed:

Pandoras box
Cheshire Cat
The two wolves

The original list that we worked from is available as a PDF document.

Upcoming

We are planning an episode of spiritual experiences / spiritual awakenings. Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecoveryshow.com to share yours. Or just leave a comment right here.

Music from the show

John Mayer – Say
Bob Marley – Them Belly Full
Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark – All That Glitters

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