photo credit: movimente
“Have no fear of robbers or murderers. They are external dangers, petty dangers. We should fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices the real murders. The great dangers are within us. Why worry about what threatens our heads or purses? Let us think instead of what threatens our souls.” ~ Victor Hugo
Lance writes stories from his heart, aiming to inspire and motivate, as you align more fully with YOUR true peak. When he’s not here, you can find him hanging out with his family, riding a bike, or just generally acting goofy.
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WORD. Thanks, Lance. Yesterday was like the worst day ever. I looked forward to your picture and quote this morning.
Writer Dad´s last blog post..At Least I Don’t Have Zits
This quote is a brain exercise, and should be contemplated more often.
BC Doan´s last blog post..Life Lessons to Remember
FANTASTIC! Like “writerdad” I too had the hardest day yesterday, and needed to hear this. But like this quote says all that happened to me was external. Blessedly my heart and soul are still wonderfully alive and whole. Bless you Lance for touching our lives like this. I am so excited that you are this brilliant shinging light. I can honestly atest to the fact that YOU are making a difference, and I for one really really apprecaite it, as I’m sure many others do as well. Hugs, Robin
RainforestRobin´s last blog post..I Will Stand By You
Lance, stop it!!!! Stop being so darn insightful and inspiring. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to your SUNDAY THOUGHTS. You seem to know exactly what I need to “hear”. Thank you for helping each of us keep things in perspective and for encouraging us to better than we were yesterday. Your post inspired of a post of my own. Thanks again!
Hi Lance,
I’m beginning to think you’re a minister or rabbi or some religious clergyman!
Wonderful, deep and true thoughts yet again.
Thank you.
Linda Abbit´s last blog post..How a Bus Stop Helps Prevent Wandering in Alzheimer’s Patients
WOW this is powerful stuff, thanks Lance!
bobbi´s last blog post..Costumes and Cranberries!
Hi Lance. I’m so glad it is Sunday, and time for your Sunday Thought for the Day. This is so true, and I have to agree with Linda’s comment *smile*. This is powerful because “we ARE our own worst enemies”. At least with those robbers and external dangers we can see what we are fighting. It’s hard to see our own emotions and thoughts.
Davina´s last blog post..Awakening To A Balanced Life
I tend to live from the inside out, so I’ll say amen to Hugo’s quote.
Jean Browman–Transforming Stress´s last blog post..Courage, Equanimity and Love
This is sooo right on.
I can’t believe how much time I waste being concerned about piffling events ‘outside’ when I could be dealing with what lies ‘inside’ – You’ve given me so many wake up calls Lance, I feel like I haven’t slept in over two months.
I note that WriterDad had a rotten end to his week but something tells me his soul is intact.
Dave Fowler´s last blog post..I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
i like this quote. So many times I let the external fears shake me up. When I stop and find the inner peace, the world could crumble around me and I know I will be OKAY
Annette´s last blog post..A Cup of Love
I do fear robbers and murderers. A LOT!
meleah rebeccah´s last blog post..Why I Love The Fall Season
I like this quote a lot. I think it speaks much truth.
And instead of giving my own insight; I’ll let the quote speak for itself.
Bamboo Forest´s last blog post..Make This Halloween a Ghost Dad Halloween
Very true quote. I am working on what in myself has me imprisoned. It will take a while to be free but will be worth it.
@Writer Dad — It is an honor to receive such a compliment from you — thank you!
@BC Doan — This really IS a brain exercise, and an exercise for our hearts. And one we should definitely do more often…
@Rainforest Robin — I feel your heart and soul alive in all you write Robin. In fact, your words here today are a compliment I hold in very high regard. You speak so kindly of others, Robin — you really are the shining light of hope for others!
@Angel — Sorry, I can’t help myself Angel!! To know that these words I leave here are helpful to others, there is nothing that brings me more joy than knowing this! Thank you for sharing these thoughts here — the mean much to me.
@Linda — Well.….no, I have no claim to being “professionally” religious.…although I was at church this morning…
@Bobbi — Your welcome!
@Davina — Well…as I eluded to Linda…I’m definitely no saint (just ask my wife, I’m sure she would agree!). Regarding our emotions and thoughts, yes — it is hard to “see” these when they exist inside of us. And this is really what makes these dangers so great — sometimes we have a hard time fighting that which we cannot see. Only if we look deeply enough, will we really see what’s there.…
@Jean — Living from the inside out, that’s a great way to look at it Jean. Start with what’s within as our base, and we can be rooted in what is right…
@Dave — In your former profession, I guess you probably dealt alot with these outside events. And I think you’re well on your way to fighting off any internal battles going on, as well. About Writer Dad, yes, I too think his soul is intact…
@Annette — External fears really can shake us up — we see them happen, hear about them on the news, etc. But it really is our internal battles that we need to fight. These are the ones that affect us deeply. Unlike a robber who steals your money, that is quickly replaceable. Our soul, that’s something that takes much longer to repair…
@Meleah — OK, robbers and murderers aren’t somebody I’d look forward to meeting either.…
@Bamboo Forest — Thanks!
@Laurie — It will be worth it, very much, Laurie. And, I know you’ll get there.
I stumbled on your blog via Momgrind, and how glad am I that I did.
I love inspirational quotes, and the one you chose today is dead on. “Our minds are our own worst enemy”, or however the actual quote goes… the same concept, only the one you posted is much more insightful.
Jamie | WiredParentPad´s last blog post..Tracking Your Teen’s Progress in School has Never Been Easier
It is so true. Our greatest fears should be ourselves. There is not much to living if we kill our spirit. Thanks for sharing this quote!
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..Can You Read My Mind?
This is (obviously) a powerful quote. What threatens our souls also leads us to focus on external fears. I can’t help but think the ego plays a role in all of this.
Stacey / Create a Balance´s last blog post..Traffic Accident — In a Flash
You couldn’t be more welcome. I came back for seconds this Sunday (buffet mentality, I guess).
Writer Dad´s last blog post..At Least I Don’t Have Zits
Hey Lance. This is another great post. As I sit here at 2:44 AM I have been sitting by the fire purging those things that threatens my soul. This is a wonderful quote. It is interesting read all of the comments above and the different things that each reader has pulled out.
Thank you for sharing this.
Tammy Warren´s last blog post..What you say is what you get
.….very true, Lance.
Another excellent choice.
blessings to you and your dear ones,
CG
CG Walters´s last blog post..Serialization of Sacred Vow: Parallels
Tammy, that sounds great. There’s a peace that comes from gazing into a fire.
Dave Fowler´s last blog post..I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead
SO TRUE.
and on the same but different note I had a friend remark to me the other day:
it’s different here (usa) because we dont have prejudice any more.
my thought/response?
WHAT USA ARE YOU LIVING IN?!
MizFit´s last blog post..Monday Facetime. The Board Edition.
@Jamie/WiredParentPad — That’s right our mind is our own worst enemy — if we let it be. It does take conscious effort on our part to quiet the demons our minds come up with…
@Evelyn — I like that too, Evelyn — yes, we should fear ourselves. Because sometimes, the worst things going on are the thoughts in our heads. Hate, prejudice, etc. — all things that are corrupting not only our minds, but our souls…
@Stacey/Create A Balance — That is really a thought-provoking way of looking at this — the idea of what threatens our souls also focus’s on external fears. And the thing is, those fears are ones that are made up in our mind, and yet — by giving them life in our minds — we also make them a part of our external world. What starts internally for us, will lead externally… I think of hatred as an example of this. Powerful thought to go along with this quote today, Stacey…
@Writer Dad — You’re welcome back here as much as you want!
@Tammy — Good for you, Tammy. As Dave has said, may you find the peace you need. I know you will Tammy…
@CG Walters — Thank you.
@Dave — Fires sure can be peaceful, I’m not sure what it is about them. The flames really can draw me in…
@MizFit — If we didn’t have prejudice here in the USA, that would be an awesome thing. There may be parts of this world where prejudice is less of an issue, and maybe we could all learn something from those areas… I, too, want to know — where in the USA is this! I don’t know, maybe sometimes we block it out — choose not to see it??
So often we look externally for fear, validation and what could be. All of the answers are within us if we only paused once in a while to take a look. My happiness, my sadness, my anger — all within me to manage and live with, hopefully in harmony.
Stacey Shipman´s last blog post..The See Saw — a Metaphor for Life Balance
Such inspiring quoatations may temporarily give us a boost. The fact however is that we are fallible, human and very much prone to our conditioning. The more one becomes aware of such internal contradictions, the less one has to handle as stress. It is a difficult journey, but the fun is not reaching the destination, but being on the road.
rummuser´s last blog post..India Launches Unmanned Orbiter to Moon
There are great dangers within us. We are our own worst enemy most of the time, this I can vouch for whole-heartedly. It’s a scary thing to know and live with, especially when the only one physically hurt is ourselves.
Jenny´s last blog post..Moments
Powerful!
Prejudices certainly drain us way more than any robber could!
Good thought for me to start my week with
Have a wonderful week Lance!
Maya´s last blog post..The key to happiness and balance is right with you, just learn to use it — Part 3 of the thinkmaya framework
Do you have wings? Are you an Angel or something
…I want a copy of your book when you write it! Fantastic as always!
Ah, yesyes! And when you’ve realized that the only thing you need to be afraid of is what goes on in the INSIDE, you can reach the point where you become fearless:)
Sagan´s last blog post..New form of exercise: dodging cars!
I like everything you post! It is important to remember the things that can threaten our souls and to avoid them.
Munchkins and Music´s last blog post..Halloween Songs for Children
I guess this is the reason why Les Miserables was so compelling…He did write it right?
chris´s last blog post..Opportunity Amidst Economic Distress
@Stacey Shipman — “…if we only paused” — isn’t this ever true Stacey. How often do we “really” look within? To understand? Not easy questions to work through sometimes — because we may not always like the answers we get. Living in harmony with all the the feeling/emotions/truths within us — profound thoughts on this Stacey, as we work to live a life that is right and true.
@Rummuser — Yes, I agree we are humans living in a human world. I do think we can change our conditioning if we are conscious of where we are at and where we want to get to. It is a journey, and the fun, yes, is in the ride to where we are going to — not just in the destination.
@Jenny — Yes, this is the truth Jenny — some of life’s great danger might live within us. The good news, though, is that we can slay these dragons we have in our minds and hearts. It might not be easy, it might not be fun — but we will be getting ourselves to a better place.
@Maya — Prejudices, yes they do drain us. A robber might affect us temporarily, say if they take our money — we are affected now, but can get beyond it in a short amount of time. Prejudices, they are with us as long as we still hold them in our souls. That could be a lifetime…a scary thought. And why it is so important that we work beyond any of these we might have. You have a great week too, Maya!
@Mark — Ha! No, I don’t have wings!! Just ask my wife — she will usually claim quite the opposite… Your words, really, blow me away — what a great compliment you’ve given me! Thank you Mark!! Now…about that book…hmmm.…
@Sagan — Becoming fearless, that’s interesting Sagan. It’s interesting, because I think it’s hard to get to that point where we don’t have fears. And it’s interesting, because I think you’re right on the mark — and yet, fear is something most (including me) hold onto. Why? What is it that, like Stacey Shipman has said, is not in harmony? So much to think about here…
@Munchkins and Music — Thank you!! It is important to remember that what threatens our soul should be avoided — and then that leads into — how do we really determine what those things are? I think it’s looking deeply within ourselves, looking from our “true north”, and really understanding what those things are. Not always easy, but always important and worth the time we put into it.
@Chris — Yes, I think Les Miserables was written right…
Wonderful, Lance. Thanks for the great reminder. Some days, I look on the outside when I really should be looking on the inside as well. Makes for a more meaningful existence, doesn’t it?
Pink Ink´s last blog post..Color Me Happy
One of the best reminders in life, Lance, thanks. Hugo’s completely right: What threatens our souls are the patterns of our thoughts. Negative thinking in any form directly affects our behavior, and the result is some form of conflict. We create our own hell right here every day. I haven’t time to worry about robbers and such because I’m always busy confronting my own internal versions of them…the little gremlins within me that seem to sabotage my best intentions to behave perfectly. If life is a school, then I’m getting lots of “practice.”
Julie´s last blog post..Been There, Done That
Lance: I had never read this quote before, I love it. I always say that people who steal the work and ideas of others are much worse than people who steal a wallet or an umbrella. Makes you stop to realign your priorities and realize what is truly important. And this quote is going into my notebook.
Buying into fear at all is a choice to create it, strengthen it and permit it to influence your life. Victor Hugo’s writing is indeed timeless. He touches on subjects that evoke intense emotion in his readers. In fact, they do not always know how to respond. Sometimes, they are left speechless.
Liara Covert´s last blog post..Where is the good in it?
Hi Lance — I find it so comforting to know that something can’t “get” me — only my own thoughts can do that!
Robin´s last blog post..How A Lot Of Wind Changed My Plans
Great quote! I need to re-read this often… We create our own worst fears…and believe them! Scary!
Caroline´s last blog post..Stop and smell the roses…
Hi Lance — That’s such a powerful statement, and true.
BTW: I sure do enjoy your Sunday quotes. Even if I’m late for the party, they always make my day. Thank you, Lance
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..NBOTW — Bringing Me To Tears
@Pink Ink — It’s easy to look on the outside vs. the inside, probably because it’s easy to see the outside…but not so with what’s inside. I know I do that too sometimes. And you’re right on the mark — our existence does really become more meaningful when we focus on what within instead of external to us!
@Julie — You’ve said this so well Julie — that really sums up the point of this whole thing so nicely. We sabotage ourselves day in and day out with the negativity that is in our minds. And when we get beyond that, is when every day becomes a day where we lift ourselves and others up! Thank you for that perspective.
@Marelisa — See, you’ve known this all along Mare! And yes, if you really think about this — it does make you stop and realign yourself — so that you can be a shining light in the world.
@Liara — How does this influence your life? That really is something to think about — our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions, and pretty soon this is the fabric of our lives — whether it’s positive or negative…
@Robin — That is comforting. Deep down, what “gets” us — is ourselves. From our thoughts, words, and actions — this “becomes” us…
@Caroline — Yes, we do create our own fears, our own prejudices,our own negativity — and if we can also create our own positive thoughts, our own humanity for all…it is all up to us. Powerful, and yet scary…
@Barbara — You’re welcome! It’s great to hear you enjoy these…