megan. 22. vancouver, canada.

Real happiness is not vulnerable, because it does not depend on circumstances.

I must learn to love the fool in me—the one who feels too much, talks too much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks promises, laughs and cries. It alone protects me against that utterly self-controlled, masterful tyrant whom I also harbor and who would rob me of my human aliveness, humility, and dignity but for my Fool.

Who is born smart, talented or gifted? Most of those who we perceive to be so are really people who are just more determined, disciplined and relentless in their pursuit than others. Excellence is not a divine gift, it is a persistently chosen attitude.

“A man with outward courage dares to die; a man with inner courage dares to live.”

I live in the rhythm of ordinary things. I do the dishes, cook, iron clothes. I love that because there isn’t a single thing on my mind when I do this stuff. It’s only after I have become completely empty that I am capable of creating something.

Why do you put your self esteem in the hands of complete strangers?

If life were merely a habit, I should commit suicide; but even now, more or less desperate, I cannot but think, ‘Something wonderful may happen.’ It is not optimism, it is a rejection of self-pity (I hope) which leaves a loophole for life… I merely choose to remain living out of respect for possibility. And possibility is the great good.

Beautiful things don’t ask for attention.

To choose doubt as a philosophy of life is akin to choosing immobility as a means of transportation.

There’s so much more to life than finding someone who will want you, or being sad over someone who doesn’t. There’s a lot of wonderful time to be spent discovering yourself without hoping someone will fall in love with you along the way, and it doesn’t need to be painful or empty. You need to fill yourself up with love. Not anyone else. Become a whole being on your own. Go on adventures, fall asleep in the woods with friends, wander around the city at night, sit in a coffee shop on your own, write on bathroom stalls, leave notes in library books, dress up for yourself, give to others, smile a lot. Do all things with love, but don’t romanticize life like you can’t survive without it. Live for yourself and be happy on your own. It isn’t any less beautiful, I promise.

People want to forget the impossible. It makes their world safer.