Though the harsh conditions of a dry, hard-packed clay soil make it seem impossible, this plant strives to grow. Once again, I was amazed by nature and snapped this photo on Molokai during December of 2012.

“I am seeking, I am striving, I am in it with all my heart.” 
― Vincent van Gogh

“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“The lotus is the most beautiful flower, whose petals open one by one. But it will only grow in the mud. In order to grow and gain wisdom, first you must have the mud — the obstacles of life and its suffering. … The mud speaks of the common ground that humans share, no matter what our stations in life. … Whether we have it all or we have nothing, we are all faced with the same obstacles: sadness, loss, illness, dying and death. If we are to strive as human beings to gain more wisdom, more kindness and more compassion, we must have the intention to grow as a lotus and open each petal one by one. ” 
― Goldie Hawn

“How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these. ” 
― George Washington Carver

“Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such striving may seem admirable, but it is the way of foolishness. Help them instead to find the wonder and the marvel of an ordinary life. Show them the joy of tasting tomatoes, apples and pears. Show them how to cry when pets and people die. Show them the infinite pleasure in the touch of a hand. And make the ordinary come alive for them.
The extraordinary will take care of itself.” 
― William Martin, The Parent’s Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents

“Understanding the difference between healthy striving and perfectionism is critical to laying down the shield and picking up your life. Research shows that perfectionism hampers success. In fact, it’s often the path to depression, anxiety, addiction, and life paralysis.” 
― Brené Brown, The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are

“We should strive to welcome change and challenges, because they are what help us grow. Without them we grow weak like the Eloi in comfort and security. We need to constantly be challenging ourselves in order to strengthen our character and increase our intelligence. ” 
― H.G. Wells, The Time Machine

“You are capable of more than you know. Choose a goal that seems right for you and strive to be the best, however hard the path. Aim high. Behave honorably. Prepare to be alone at times, and to endure failure. Persist! The world needs all you can give.” 
― Edward O. Wilson

The first three months of the year were filled with travel and visiting friends and family members. It was so good to be home in my beach cave, Maggie. Almost too good. Complacency with my solitary life, is a strong pull. Complacency in my social media world, has filled in for face-to-face, and actually working towards my writing and publishing goals.

I recently “woke up” and realized I needed to work on something beyond complacency. I need to strive towards a more “real life” social world. I need to strive towards publication. Grief and complacency are loosening their grip. These quotes from Goodreads remind me that striving for more and better is a worthy goal and that solitude can be a part, but not all of my world.

I hope a quote or two here may click (okay, resonate) with each of you.

Patti

 

What are your thoughts? I wish you lurkers would get brave and join in 🙂 I know that you are there…

Hey, I hope you find time to check out some of the other A-Z April Challenge blogs here:

http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/a-to-z-challenge-sign-uplist-2014.html