If you spend very long on social media people will soon start sending you motivational quotes. I don't mind most of them - a metaphorical kick up the backside is sometimes appropriate. If Einstein has a bit of advice for you, it would be churlish not to at least cast an eye over it. (Although, a good 90 per cent of quotes attributed to Einstein were never uttered by him, although it seems the one in this picture was.)
Sometimes they seem like good advice, but read them carefully. Are they really true? How about "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? Try being inspired by that when you're in a persistent vegetative state.
Here's one that anX (Twitter) follower of mine posted last week: “Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michaelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein.”
Yeah, but I bet Michaelangelo didn't have to shower, load the washing machine, tidy up, make a packed lunch, get breakfast and put on his make-up before he aimed one paint-loaded brush at that Sistine Chapel ceiling.
When it comes to realistic advice, I'm more of a Homer Simpson fan. Here are two that will stand anybody in good stead for dealing with life:
1. You tried your best and failed miserably. The lesson is: never try.
2. The code of the schoolyard, Marge! The rules that teach a boy to be a man. Let's see. Don't tattle. Always make fun of those different from you. Never say anything, unless you're sure everyone feels exactly the same way you do.
I'm joking, of course. Kind of. You may laugh, but Homer's quotes are often as insightful as many a homily from a celebrity. Here's Kanye West talking about reincarnation: “I won’t go into a big spiel about reincarnation, but the first time I was in the Gucci store in Chicago was the closest I’ve ever felt to home.”
Crikey. What was he in a previous life? A handbag?
Here's a good quote from Bruce Lee:
Mind you, he did die at the age of 32...
Here's her other book: Not So Sweet Toffee
You can follow me on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. As you can see, I have far too much to say for myself.
Most teachers have motivational quotes posters up in their rooms. And when I read them, I agree with the sentiments. But, yeah, if you're not in the right sort of mood, they can be rather grating.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the demotivational posters? (https://despair.com/collections/demotivators?srsltid=AfmBOorwswNrWLCVWpT7djwTX_4UNMdlfgCaNLXcKfvwmlegjCMKPupR) A teacher has these up in her room. I like her quite a lot.