photo credit: Shanissinha_
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” ~ Helen Keller
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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I remember how reading Helen Keller when I was about 10 changed my whole perspective. I truly started noticing little things then. Like the thrill of birdsong at dawn. The mid-September gold of late afternoon on the fields at my dad’s farm. The hush and sacredness of falling snow. And now add to those — the joy of my daughter’s laugh, the wonder of my sweet kitty-cat snuggling close on a cold night, the eyes and warm spirit of the man I was lucky enough to find and marry. Best and beautiful indeed! Makes a heart fairly burst.
Jannie Funster´s last blog post..Armani Condom Heart — Inappropriate?
I have to chime in like jannie and say how I clearly recall reading about helen keller when I was little and think “WHAT ON EARTH WOULD I DO WERE THAT ME?!”
I also clearly recall reading an article yesterday in NY Mag about a woman who is rapidly losing her sight and hearing and thinking: Id just be thankful to be alive still. here. as there are more important things than being able to see and hear—for me it is the heartimpression of another persons TOUCH.
(good thing Ive grown a bit in maturity since I was 8
)
thanks for starting my sunday!
Miz´s last blog post..We interrupt your Saturday for the MizFit Commenter of the Month (drumroll please):
Beautiful thought Lance!
Natalia Burleson´s last blog post..Happy Valentine’s Day
Hi Lance
I can feel my heart stir with those words. It is so appropriate what with Valentines Day fresh behind us.
All the cards and gimicky goods become the focus, when it is the love that is being celebrated.
Juliet
LifeMadeGreat | Juliet´s last blog post..Overcoming The Barriers Of Introversion: Starting The Process
Hi Lance,
What a stunning truth this is?That awesome lady was lucky enough to had such a heart with her whilst most of the people in the society have become numb to such things.This is a saying which glitter forever.
Thank you very much for sharing that with us.
vikum´s last blog post..You are the one to make the move
Yes, hope and faith and belief and love.…these are the best and most beautiful things of life…and my heart is what gives them life and color. Gratitude keeps them alive.
Julie´s last blog post..The Unexpected
If only more of us know it to be true. There is a tendency to look towards the physical side of things. We feel that we can only believe what we can see or touch. We mistakenly take comfort in material gifts, not realizing that the true magic lies in what comes from the heart.
Evelyn Lim´s last blog post..What The Movie Benjamin Button Taught Me About Time
Wow, this one really struck me when I read it. Helen Keller has some great quotes. Thanks for sharing
Life is mostly about feelings. If we feel strong, we are. If we feel happy, we are.
Being able to be in touch with our feelings is vital to success. It’s these good feelings that help us get lost in the beauty of life.
So true. And in fact I’ve made a promise to myself to start living more by what my heart and gut tell me and giving my mind a rest. Touch, feeling seem to be lost these days and yet can guide us to great things.
Happy Sunday!
First, you always include extremely powerful pictures with your posts. Good job with that.
Second, Helen Keller and people like her are inspiring. I’d like to think that I’d be optimistic and motivating with the loss of my most powerful senses but I don’t know that I could! I’m always moved by people who can see the good in everything and who stand tall and strong no matter what. That is my goal. It’s something I work on everyday. I strive to see the good in everything and everyone.
And her words hit the ball out of the park: love is the ultimate sense!
Angel´s last blog post..A workout for you and your pet
I can definitely testify to this one with the birth of our daughter this past week … nothing could’ve prepared me for how awesome it is to become a parent. I’ve heard people talk about the love you feel for your kids, but it’s not something you can imagine until you experience it.
It’s a look into God’s eyes … it amazes me how profound such an innocent little person can be …
Bri´s last blog post..A Baby Changes Everything …
Hi Lance, this is one of my favorite qouotes from Hellen Keller. I think something that can only be felt with the heart is usually eternal.
Thanks for reminding me again.
Arswino´s last blog post..Love, Wealth, or Success?
How true. It amazes me whenever I read this quote and reflect on the life Helen Keller had. We complain when we get a cold, or if the line at the bank takes too long. Blind and deaf and she had the heart of God– it is truly a life to try to aspire to.
Jay´s last blog post..Life Lessons from a Japanese Tea Master
What a wonderful way to start the day with the above picture and the quote from Helen Keller. Like Jannie and several others, I read about the life of Helen Keller when I was a child. Then later I saw both films of the Miracle Worker with Patty Duke and loved them both.
Maybe the courage and wisdom of Helen Keller is part of the reason that I had the attitude toward life that I have always had. I do believe that those trials and challenges that don’t kill you only make you stronger and more courageous. (Don’t know who that quote comes from and like most things I added to it at the end.)
My Sundays got so much better recently when I subscribed to your blog. You are like a breath of fresh air in the Sundays of my life. Thanks.
Patricia — Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker´s last blog post..Kindness—Why Is It Easier To Be Kind To Strangers?
It’s funny how something as a simple as this can inspire the most complex feelings from within, and once that inspiration is expressed outward through a creative outlet, it becomes simple again with the power to inspire. Now that is a ripple effect and truly what the infinite circle of creation is all about.
Thank you for sharing, thank you indeed.
Nicholas Powiull´s last blog post..Powiull Sleep Day 10–11 (Adopting Powiull Sleep: Different Methods): by Nicholas Powiull
How very true that quote is. What amazing insight Helen Keller had… This is a wonderful reminder for us all. Thank you for sharing Lance!
Caroline´s last blog post..Favorite “Foto” Friday
Every time I watch the movie Rudy, I see it but more importantly I feel it deep in my heart. I feel for everyone of us who has persisted despite the odds. Thanks Lance, heart-warming indeed.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work´s last blog post..Personal Relationships and Business Support
I love how there are things in the world that can’t be seen or touched but we definitely see evidence of its existence. Love, joy, peace, God. There is great evidence of these. While we don’t have a problem accepting the existence of love, joy and peace, we sometimes need something tangible to prove the existence of God. I say open your eyes and look at the beauty of the universe, the purity of a child, the healing power of love. In these things and more, you will find your proof. God exists and he is more glorious than what your eyes could take in if you were to see his essence.
Hi Lance!
When we cannot touch with our eyes and ears, the heart and soul cradles us and introduces us to the magnificence of our inner-beauty and abilities!
Henie´s last blog post..Passion 101
Hi Lance!
What an OUTSTANDING picture!!!! And what amazing truth your quote brings to us today. Indeed how can we describe to someone love for example, no matter what I may say or feel the other will never know unless they feel it too.
Or how about how so many go chasing pleasure from the things they can see and touch, but do not realize often the many times greater pleasure that comes from those objects that are just not “handleable”.
Enjoy your Sunday
Evita´s last blog post..Celebrating Valentine’s Day-ly
Lance —
Amazing choice of the quote.
Who better would understand this first hand.Helen Keller is one of my favorite women in history.So powerful and inspirational are her words.
Thank you for sharing this.
Cheers
Bunny got Blog´s last blog post..Fix To The “Save Draft” Incident, Part 2: The eDragonu Feature
A very close friend of mine’s mother is slowly losing her hearing and sight. Right now, both are nearly gone, and she’s having a difficult time dealing with it. She has the warmest heart, a great sense of humor, and is one of the bravest people I know.
She touches my heart each time I talk to her, see her, or think about her. I’ve tried various ways to get her interested in other activities, various techniques she might be able to use, directed her to agencies that could provided her with a few tools she might be able to use, but it’s not working.
I’m not sure what to do anymore. She knows how everyone feels, loving her so much, but I’m lost to try to help her.
LisaNewton´s last blog post..A Valentine’s Day Story
Lisa, sometimes all that you can do is just continue to love the person. A hard lesson that I had to learn was that you can’t help someone who doesn’t want to be helped or who doesn’t want to look beyond their so called limitations. We are only as limited as we allow ourselves to be. Some people, Helen Keller being one of them, refuse to be defined by their limitations. The human spirit is capable of so much.
Patricia — Spiritual Journey Of A Lightworker´s last blog post..Kindness—Why Is It Easier To Be Kind To Strangers?
this has always been one of my favorite quotes.
Nicole “TheCardEagle” Bandes´s last blog post..Send Out Cards Anywhere in the World
She certainly wasn’t into material things. A good message for today’s world. Love the quote and photo!
Tess The Bold Life´s last blog post..Joyful Days and A Flip Mino HD
A beautiful quote and so true. When we focus on accumulating things that can be seen or touched and expect to be “happy” once we have them, we always end up disappointed.
I love this quote Lance! Seems to me that when a person feels with their heart they can’t own anything. That is more freeing than anything.
Davina´s last blog post..Ebook Launch: The Quote Effect Arrives
I love the photo, Lance! And the quote made me think of this one from the book “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint Exupery:
“One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.”
Have a wonderful week!
Linda Abbit´s last blog post..Funny Fridays for Valentine’s Day 2009: Because it’s Better to Laugh than to Cry!
Wanted to add this…
“The human heart feels things the eyes cannot see, and knows what the mind cannot understand.” ~Robert Vallett~
Henie´s last blog post..Passion 101
Lance,
Love the quote. It is the secret of life isn’t it. Seeing, hearing, touching… it’s not enough unless it touches our heart and we SEE with our heart. For me this happened when I met my husband and finally realised what love was all about. And then having babies of course. That’s a big heart opener.
I think Helen Keller carried another secret of life. She knew that it’s all in the attitude you have, the thoughts you think about a situation. Being deaf and blind could have made her depressed, angry and sad. But no, she was able to see the good in everything, learn a lesson from all that happens to us and be happy no matter what.
Thanks for a thoughtful start of the week.
Mindful Mimi´s last blog post..In the journal I do not just express myself more openly than I could do to any person; I create myself — Susan Sontag
Love the quote, Lance! It’s one of my favourites, especially because Helen Keller said it. Your picture, as always, speaks a thousand words.
Daphne´s last blog post..Having It All, Losing It All
Helen Keller has always struck a chord with me Lance. True Beauty is a feeling that comes from within, almost a compliation of all your abilities, senses and gifts. Love it.
~rupal
@Jannie — I love these thoughts, Jannie! When we stop to realize what we do have in our heart, especially if we really do have love in our heart — it is enough to burst — and spread out and be shared with everyone it touches!
@Miz — You do have a heart of gold, Miz. It’s easy to get caught up in what’s wrong — and in the process lose focus on what is right. We can lose many physical abilities — yet, we can always control our heart. So, what you say — I still wonder what I would do — yet — I’m uplifted by what we can do with just our heart! So much greatness when we listen to what it (our heart) is saying…
@Natalia — Thanks much Natalia, hope your day was great!
@Juliet — That’s exactly my thought on this Juliet — how fitting this is in that Valentines’ Day has just passed. And a holiday focused on love — what a great time to look at love at a deep level. Thank you, my friend!
@Vikum — Hi Vikum. I think some people see more when they listen to their heart than others see with their own eyes. And I think that certainly listening to your heart put a different lens on your eyesight, as well. One filled with love and compassion for those around us.
@Julie — And, Julie, your heart shows in everything you write. They all shine from you! Continue to keep them alive — hope, faith, belief, and love…
@Evelyn — “If I only had more money”, or “If I only had a bigger house”, or “If I only had a more prestigious career”, or … When we focus on the materialistic items in life — we lose focus on what really matters — that which comes from deep within our heart. Thanks so much for this Evelyn.
@Amanda — Thanks for stopping by Amanda!
@Karl — And feelings that originate from the heart, not from our superficial need for “things” — these are the truest of feelings — the ones that worth living for. Thanks Karl!
@Stacey Shipman — Really listening to our heart can be a very liberating experience. It can take us to places that, while they may seem unknown and scary, are also the places that really make our heart sing! And those are places worth traveling to! Keep doing that Stacey, you’re an inspiration!
@Angel — Isn’t that picture awesome! I know exactly what you’re saying. It’s one thing to say that we could do that too — what Ms. Keller went through. Yet, really thinking about it, I wonder. Even today, when conditions are much better for people with disabilities than they were in her time. And that just makes her that much more inspirational. So, keep on doing that Angel — keep on seeing the good — you’re changing lives daily when you do!!
@Bri — Wow, congratulations Bri! I think there’s special bond between mother and child — a love that is deep. And that is indeed a love that is felt within the heart. Cherish and love your new bundle of joy! And you will be an awesome Mom!!
@Arswino — This is a great quote by this very special lady! Thanks for stopping by.
@Jay — Compared to the life Helen Keller had, especially at the time period in which she lived — and yet all she was grateful for — makes us realize we are blessed in so many ways. Yet, you’re so right — how often do we forget just how much we have in our lives? Thanks Jay!
@Patricia — Spiritual Journey of a Lightworker — We all face trials in life. Yet…so many face those which are much more difficult. And that is a reminder that we have much to be thankful for. Easy to forget — I know. I’m working on this, working to get better about seeing the good. Thank you so much, Patricia — your words today are a light to start my morning — and it’s a blessing to have you here.
@Nicholas — Our heart is a powerful organ, especially when we really start to listen to it. And the ripple effect of letting that goodness out — how powerful that is! Thanks much Nicholas!
@Caroline — Listening to our heart — something we can’t be reminded of enough! Thanks Caroline!
@Tom — “Rudy” is a great example of this — of listening to your heart. Fighting through insurmountable odds — even if we fail — even if we don’t reach the spot we’d hoped for — is still so worth fighting for. It removes regret from our lives — when we focus on what really and truly matters.
@Laurie — We can’t see or touch some things — yet they can also be those things which matter most. And you make a wonderful point about God — when we just look around with our eyes and see His beauty around us — what great proof of a Higher Being! And, even if we can’t see with our eyes — the touch of another on our heart — is more proof of this existence of a God of true compassion. Thank you Laurie.
@Henie — Hi Henie! That is beautiful! Thank you so much for your words, that really have been spoken from the heart…
@Evita — I love that picture too! I see it as when two (or more) come to work together in love — amazing things can happen! Love has to be felt — a wonderful thought Evita, and one that gives hope to all — in that we all have the ability to feel love within our hearts — regardless of our physical abilities. And a great point about chasing the materialistic — trying to get that internal love. And the truth is — the love that comes from our heart cannot be bought. Thanks for this Evita, very much, your words ring true.
@Bunny — Helen Keller is a wonderful person to share this — and her words still hold true today. Thanks for stopping by Bunny.
@LisaNewton — Hang in there Lisa. And don’t stop fighting for her. I can’t imagine how difficult that must be to go through — losing hearing and sight. I’m sure there is a process to get to acceptance of this — and you can just continue to be there for her. Continue to show her your heart.
@Nicole — Thanks for stopping by today Nicole — glad you enjoyed this one!
Very nice Lance!
@Tess — And how do we compare today? I think I don’t always do so well. It can be so easy to focus on the materialistic items of life — thinking we can “buy” happiness. And as hard as we try — real happiness still comes from within. Thank you Tess.
@Vered — How true, Vered. Real joy and happiness comes from within. Listening to our hearts — how good that is for our soul!
@Davina — Freeing is such a great word to use here Davina. How freeing it can be to get to a point where love truly does come from our hearts. And that’s a journey worth going on! I love this thought of yours here Davina — thank you!
@Linda — Great photo, isn’t it — it just says love over and over! And thank you for sharing a quote — Seeing clearly with our heart — how true this is. And how often is that vision out of focus? That’s a great question to ask ourselves…
@Mimi — Sometimes it is another person in our life who can really help us “see” life in a different way. And when that is through our heart — how beautiful it is! And you bring up a great point — her attitude. In the many odds she faced in life, she tackled it all with such a great attitude! And that’s a great way to open your heart up to the possibilities that can be. Thank you for all of this, Mimi!
@Henie — Thanks for sharing that quote Henie — it fits so perfectly with this here!
@Rupal — I think she strikes a chord because of all the obstacles she faced — and yet the person she was — that was not limited by all these obstacles. And how does that bode for us today? We all can learn from her — and just continue to listen to what comes from within — seeing the world so much clearer. Thanks, Rupal — your words are spoken with much love…
@Mark Salinas — Thanks Mark!
Daphne — Sorry I missed you…you’re there now! It really is a great quote, and I think the picture with it really emphasizes the importance of feeling with the heart. Thanks for stopping by today!
Aww. That photo is adorable.
I appreciate your quotes so much. They make me happy!
Sagan´s last blog post..Life Lessons: Aikido Part Two
Lance, once again you have done it. What a beautiful quote you have picked this time. When we fill our hearts with so much love and gratitude for everything — love for God, for others, for ourselves, the world, creation, everything — we get to feel those things that can only be felt with the heart.
Helen Keller would be one to know this quote well. What a lesson we can learn from her.
Jennifer´s last blog post..Beyond Valentine’s Day
It’s a great quote, Lance. With people learning to do with less these days, it is a good reminder and touchstone idea to hold on to.
Helen Keller’s bio always fascinated me as well. I love reading the moment she realized what communication was all about.
Hi Lance: If more people went with what they felt instead of with what they could see, hear or touch, this would be a better world.
Helen Keller reminds us that the truth is only ever truly felt.
Hey Lance, this is so true. Not only is there beauty but there’s so much power in that which can’t be seen. Nice person to quote as well. Helen Keller has some absolutely amazing quotes. Thanks Lance!
Broderick Allen´s last blog post..Sowing and Reaping
Very cute picture!
In the end, it’s the things that touch our heart that remain with us long-term. Plenty of other sensations come, but few are more than a flash of joy. Even fewer last the test of time. Matters of the heart remain, for positive and negative.
@Sagan — Thanks much Sagan!
@Jennifer — Beautifully said Jennifer. Love and gratitude in our heart can make all the difference in the world in how we view circumstances around us. With a couple of things that have happened recently, I wonder how well I’m doing at this.
@Lori — Thank you Lori. Again, so well said. The language of love, how powerful it is…
@Marelisa — Hi Mare. It makes me question, how good is my eyesight, if I’m not using my heart also? That’s a very good thought…
@Liara — Ah, yes — the truth — comes from the heart.
@Broderick — You’re right on Broderick — there is also power in this statement. Feeling with our heart really does connect us to what is true and right within — and that is indeed a powerful thought.
@Foodsthatfit — Thank you!
@Gennaro — I love your point here Gennaro. What touches our heart — that is what remains with us. A wonderful thought, and reason for letting our heart be more open to feeling…
For someone who didn’t have the advantage of seeing or hearing, other senses are enhanced (my guess). Though this quote is probably close to 100 years old, it’s a good reminder for us today, especially since we have so many distractions in our modern world.
Carla´s last blog post..Can it be done?
Hi Lance — Helen Keller is a favorite of mine and this quote is absolutely beautiful. It says it all. All that is really important in life. And the photo you chose is perfect. Another fabulous Sunday thought, Lance.
Barbara Swafford´s last blog post..Questioning Life & Blogging About It
Hi Lance
I always say, “Get out of your head and get into your heart!“
Love the photo with the quote, beautifully put together.
Thank You,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action
Giovanna Garcia´s last blog post..Is Susie Winfrey better than Oprah Winfrey?
@Carla — That’s a great point Carla, about the distractions we have in our life today. It’s so easy to let the distractions distract us from really listening to our heart — and without that, how can we really “know” ourselves? It’s so important to make time for really listening from deep within — a powerful way to get to what truly matters to us…
@Barbara — Hi Barbara. Thanks so much! Listening, seeing, believing — with our heart. If we all did this a little more — just think of how much love there would be in the world today. It’s possible, if we just let our heart be heard…
@Giovanna — And that fits with this so well, Giovanna. Thanks for sharing it here! And I loved this photo too, it just really embraces love — all kinds of love. Thank you Giovanna.
Just dropping by to say that the “heart sees better than the eyes.”
Henie´s last blog post..A Day Without
Lance — As others said before me…what a fantastic picture! I love the heart. You did a great job of making the words of Helen Keller come alive in the picture.
Sara´s last blog post..Laugh Away
@Henie — Wonderful thought Henie! I love it — and that doesn’t matter how good our eyesight is…
@Sara — That photo is so cool, isn’t it! I especially love the way it looks like a silhouette. I’m glad to hear you like it all!! Thanks for stopping by today.
Lance
How often do we rely solely on our senses that work properly? Helen Keller learned the depth of “seeing” without vision by listening and feeling with her heart. I know that many times I have overruled my heart because of what could be seen and I was wrong. Intuition is a very powerful gift indeed.
kathy´s last blog post..Mid-century Birthday Celebration | 50 Things I’ve Done So Far
Beautiful, Lance. It’s interesting the way people with fewer senses perceive.
Robin´s last blog post..Finding Our True Selves
Hi Lance,
Both the picture and the quote is beautiful.
The world in general has become so materialistic, even the young kids today. So much so that such appreciation had been casually forgotten. If each of us can live life with such appreciation today, hopefully our future generations will not forget.
Wenny Yap´s last blog post..Law of Attraction: Attracting A Good & Vibrant Health …
Lance, I love the picture you chose to go with the quote, people out in nature, expressing together, what Helen Keller had in mind. The figures silhouetted against the sky, suggest to me that when it comes to the kind of love felt with the heart, details such as clothing, skin or hair color, facial features, or jewelery, make no difference. It’s what they feel that is important. And what they feel is beautiful, even though it cannot be seen.
Diane C.´s last blog post..Skywatch Friday