• From Movies and TV
• Fun Quotes
• 03 November 1774
• 03 July 1776
• 12 May 1780
• 17 October 1946
• 16 April 1871: Fyodor Dostoevsky to Anna Dostoyevskaya

From Movies and TV

Kung Fu Panda (2008): The Secret Ingredient

Kung Fu Panda: “If you only do what you can do, you’ll never be more than you are now.”

Avatar The Last Airbender (2005-2008): Uncle Iroh, Destiny

Meet the Robinsons (2007): Keep Moving Forward

1. “Around here, however, we don’t look backward for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” – Wilbur Robinson (Walt Disney)
2. “I’m sorry your life turned out so bad. But don’t blame me you messed it up yourself. You just focused on the bad stuff when all you had to do was let go of the past and keep moving forward.” – Lewis
3. You failed! And it was awesome! From failing, you learn. From success? Not so much.

Home Alone 2 (1992): Forget to Remember You

• Bird Lady: “That broke my heart. And whenever the chance to be loved came along again, I ran away from it. I stopped trusting people.
• Kevin: “No offense, but that seems like sort of a dumb thing to do.
• Bird Lady: “I was afraid of getting my heart broken again. You see, sometimes you can trust a person, and then, when things are down, they forget about you.”
• Kevin: “Maybe they're just too busy. Maybe they don't forget about you, but they forget to remember you. I don't think people mean to forget. I think it just happens.”

Fun Quotes

• “With courage you will dare to take risks, have the strength to be compassionate, and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.” - Keshavan Nair
• “Sometimes you meet someone who transforms your life, someone who pushes you closer to becoming the person you always dreamed you could be. Yet, as in real life, things don't always work out the way we hope, and ultimately, we're left to walk our path alone.”
• “Love is not: I will give this to you if you do this for me. Love is: I will give this to you so that you may shine.” Youg Pueblo
• "If you can only get what you want by telling a lie, then you are not smart enough to get it by telling the truth.” - Jordan Peterson
• “Never make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option.”
• “Authenticity: the way you behave when there is no risk of punishment.” - Alex Hormozi
• 03:21:30
  Spotify #952 - Alex Hormozi - 41 Harsh Truths Nobody Wants To Admit
• ”Inspect what you expect.” - David Porter
• “Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.” - Theodor Seuss Geisel
• “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is not an act, but a habit.” - Aristotle
• “We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their behaviour.” - Stephen Covey
• "There are only two creatures of value on the face of the earth: those with a commitment and those who require the commitment of others.” - John Adams
• "If you cannot explain something in simple terms, then you don't understand it." - Dr. Richard Feynman
• “When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.” - Dale Carnegie, How to Win Friends and Influence People
• “Be proud of yourself despite your setbacks.” - David Porter
• “Learn to let go, that is the key to happiness.” - Buddha
• Honesty without kindness is brutality. Kindness without honesty is manipulation.
• “Between what is said and not meant, an what is meant but not said, most of love is lost.” - Kahlil Gibran
• “If you have been brutally broken but still have the courage to be gentle to other living beings, then you’re a badass with the heart of an angel.” - Keanu Reeves
• “In the absence of communication, the mind defaults to the negative.” - William Simkins
• “If necessity is the mother of invention, repetition is the father of results.” - Alex Hormozi

• “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
• “The society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its thinking done by cowards and its fighting by fools.”
• “Freedom is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature.”
• “It is far better to be alone than to be in bad company.”
• “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.”
• “Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain – and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”
• “When dealing with people, let us remember we are not dealing with creatures of logic. We are dealing with creatures of emotion, creatures bristling with prejudices and motivated by pride and vanity.”
• “Criticism is futile because it puts a person on the defensive and usually makes him strive to justify himself.”
• “Always stand on principle even if you stand alone.”
• “Good decisions come from experience. Experience comes from making bad decisions.”

“In the absence of communication, the mind defaults to the negative. So it's always better to over-communicate than negative than to not communicate.” - Will Simkins

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker

“The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.” – Stephen R. Covey

“Speak only if it improves upon the silence.” – Mahatma Gandhi

posituality posituality on Instagram: "it’s easy to get caught up in tomorrow and forget what’s right in front of you. but nothing lasts forever - not moments, not people, not the small, quiet joys 🌤️ take care of what you love while you have it. show up, appreciate it, nurture it - before it’s only something you look back on and wish you had valued more 🕊️ be present now, so you don’t live with regret later 🫶✨"

Love is precious and fragile. We get so used to people, places, and routines that we forget they won’t always be there. Then one day it shifts. A goodbye you weren’t ready for and you wish you had been more present. But presence isn't about grand gestures. It’s about small, quiet moments we often overlook.

The brain prioritizes what feels urgent, but it’s often the quiet constants that hold the most meaning. Attention is love, and love is what stays after everything else changes. What in your life feels ordinary today might one day feel sacred.

Don’t wait for loss to teach you value. Slow down, say the thing, hold the gaze, take the photo, because nothing is promised and that’s what makes it precious.”

03 November 1774

“Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgement; and he betrays you instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.” – Edmund Burke, Speech to the Electors of Bristol

03 July 1776

“But the Day is past. The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America.

I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.

You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.

Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will triumph in that Days Transaction, even although We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

John Adams to Abigail Adams

12 May 1780

“I could fill Volumes with Descriptions of Temples and Palaces, Paintings, Sculptures, Tapestry, Porcelaine, &c. &c. &c. — if I could have time. But I could not do this without neglecting my duty. The Science of Government it is my Duty to study, more than all other Sciences: the Art of Legislation and Administration and Negotiation, ought to take Place, indeed to exclude in a manner all other Arts.

I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.”

John Adams to Abigail Adams

17 October 1946

D’Arline,

I adore you, sweetheart.

I know how much you like to hear that — but I don’t only write it because you like it — I write it because it makes me warm all over inside to write it to you.

It is such a terribly long time since I last wrote to you — almost two years but I know you’ll excuse me because you understand how I am, stubborn and realistic; and I thought there was no sense to writing.

But now I know my darling wife that it is right to do what I have delayed in doing, and that I have done so much in the past. I want to tell you I love you. I want to love you. I always will love you.

I find it hard to understand in my mind what it means to love you after you are dead — but I still want to comfort and take care of you — and I want you to love me and care for me. I want to have problems to discuss with you — I want to do little projects with you. I never thought until just now that we can do that. What should we do. We started to learn to make clothes together — or learn Chinese — or getting a movie projector. Can’t I do something now? No. I am alone without you and you were the “idea-woman” and general instigator of all our wild adventures.

When you were sick you worried because you could not give me something that you wanted to and thought I needed. You needn’t have worried. Just as I told you then there was no real need because I loved you in so many ways so much. And now it is clearly even more true — you can give me nothing now yet I love you so that you stand in my way of loving anyone else — but I want you to stand there. You, dead, are so much better than anyone else alive.

I know you will assure me that I am foolish and that you want me to have full happiness and don’t want to be in my way. I’ll bet you are surprised that I don’t even have a girlfriend (except you, sweetheart) after two years. But you can’t help it, darling, nor can I — I don’t understand it, for I have met many girls and very nice ones and I don’t want to remain alone — but in two or three meetings they all seem ashes. You only are left to me. You are real.

My darling wife, I do adore you.

I love my wife. My wife is dead.

Rich.

PS Please excuse my not mailing this — but I don’t know your new address.

16 April 1871: Fyodor Dostoevsky to Anna Dostoyevskaya

In the spring of 1871, Fyodor Dostoevsky was at the end of a year-long honeymoon to Germany with his wife, Anya Dostoyevskaya, during which he reached the depths of his gambling addiction. Originally supposed to last only a few short months, the trip was lengthened to four years after Dostoevsky gambled away most of the couples' money and possessions. Though he worked hard to restore his family's wealth, his gambling continued. Dostoevsky kept his promise: this letter marks the last time he ever gambled.

Anya, for the sake of Christ, for the sake of Lyuba, for the sake of our whole future, don’t start worrying and getting all upset—read this letter carefully to the end. You will see at the end that disaster isn’t really a reason for despair, but on the contrary, something may even have been gained by it which will be much more valuable than the price paid for it! And so calm yourself, my angel, hear me out—read this to the end. For Christ’s sake, don’t fall to pieces.

You, my precious one, my lifelong friend, my heavenly angel, you have, of course, gathered that I have lost everything—the whole of the 30 thalers you sent me. Remember that you are my only salvation and that there is no one else in the world who loves me. Remember, too, Anya, that there are misfortunes that carry their own punishment. As I write this, I am wondering: What will this do to you? How will you take it? I hope nothing terrible will happen to you! And if you feel sorry for me at this moment, don’t, that would make it even worse for me.

I didn't dare wire you nor do I dare now, after your latest letter in which you write that you will be worrying about me. I can just imagine how it would have been had you received a telegram tomorrow saying Schreiben sie mien[sic]... What would have become of you then!

Ah, Anya, why did I have to go?

Here is how it happened today. First of all, I got you your letter at 1 P.M., but not the money. Then I went home and wrote you an answer (a nasty, cruel letter; why, I almost reproach you in it). I suppose you will get it tomorrow, Saturday, if you stop by the post office not earlier than 4 o'clock. I took my letter to the post office and there the man told me again that there was no money for me; it was then two-thirty. But when I came by again, for the third time, at four-thirty, he gave me the money, and when I asked at what time it had arrived, he replied very calmly, “Around 2 o’clock.” So why didn't he give it to me when I was there before, well after two? Then, when I saw that I had to wait until half past six for the next train out of here, I headed for the casino.

Now Anya, you may believe me or not, but I swear to you that I had no intention of gambling! To convince you of that, I will confess everything to you: when I wired you asking you to send me 30 thalers instead of 25, I thought I might risk another 5 thalers, but I was not sure I would do even that. I figured that if any money were left over, I would bring it back with me. But when I got the 30 thalers today, I did not want to gamble for two reasons: (1) I was so struck by your letter and imagined the effect it would have on you (and I am imagining it now!) and (2) I dreamed last night of my father and he appeared to me in a terrifying guise, such as he has only appeared to me twice before in my life, both times prophesying a dreadful disaster, and on both occasions the dream came true. (And now, when I think of the dream I had three nights ago, when I saw your hair turn white, my heart stops beating—ah, my God, what will become of you when you get this letter!)

But when I arrived at the casino, I went to a table and stood there placing imaginary bets just to see whether I could guess right. And you know what, Anya? I was right about ten times in a row, and I even guessed right about Zero. I was so amazed by this that I started gambling and in 5 minutes won 18 thalers. And then, Anya, I got all excited and thought to myself that I would leave with the last train, spend the night in Frankfurt, and then at least I would bring some money home with me! I felt so ashamed about the 30 thalers I had robbed of you! Believe me, my angel, all year I have been dreaming of buying you a pair of earrings, which I have not yet given back to you. You had pawned all your possessions for me during these past 4 years and followed me in my wanderings with homesickness in your heart! Anya, Anya, bear in mind, too, that I am not a scoundrel but only a man with a passion for gambling.

(But here is something else that I want you to remember, Anya: I am through with that fancy forever. I know I have written you before that it was over and done with, but I never felt the way I feel now as I write this. Now I am rid of this delusion and I would bless God that things have turned out as disastrously as they have if weren't so terribly worried about you at this moment. Anya, if you are angry with me, just think of how much I've had to suffer and still have to suffer in the coming three or four days! If, sometime later on in life you find me being ungrateful and unfair towards you—just show me this letter!)

By half past nine I had lost everything and I fled like a madman. I felt so miserable that I rushed to see the priest (don’t get upset, I did not see him, no, I did not, nor do I intend to!). As I was running toward his house in the darkness through unfamiliar streets, I was thinking: “Why, he is the Lord’s shepherd and I will speak to him not as to a private person but as one does at a confession.” But I lost my way in this town and when I reached a church, which I took for a Russian church, they told me in a store that it was not Russian but sheeny. It was as if someone had poured cold water over me. I ran back home. And now it is midnight and I am sitting and writing to you. (And I won’t go to see the priest, I won’t go, I swear I won’t!)

I had one and a half thalers left in small change. That would have been enough for a telegram (15 groschen) but I am afraid to send it, I don't know how yo will take it! And so I decided to write you a letter and send it off the next day at 8 a.m., and to make sure that you get it on Sunday without delay, I am sending it directly to our home address rather than poste restante. (For, what if, expecting me to come, you didn't bother to go to the post office?) But I still may send yo another letter poste restante tomorrow, though I will be rather late in getting it off. But I will write you for sure the day after tomorrow—on Sunday.

Anya, save me once more and for the last time—send me another 30 (thirty) thalers. I will arrange things in such a way that it will be enough. I will be very economical. If you can manage send it on Sunday, even late, I will be able to come back on Tuesday or, at the latest, Wednesday.

Anya, I prostrate myself before you and kiss your feet. I realize that you have every right to despise me and to think: “He will gamble again.” By what, then, can I swear to you that I shall not, when I have already deceived you before? But, my angel, I know that you would die(!) if I lost again! I am not completely insane, after all! Why, I know that, if that happened, it would be the end of me as well. I won’t, I won’t, I won’t, and I shall come straight home! Believe me. Trust me for this last time and you won’t regret it. Mark my words, from now on, for the rest of my life, I will work for you and Lyubochka without sparing my health, and I shall reach my goal! I shall see to it that you two are well provided for.

If you cannot manage to send the money on Sunday, send it on Monday as early as possible. In that case, I will be with you around noon on Wednesday. Don’t worry if you cannot send it on Sunday, and don’t think too much about me, that would be too much, I don’t deserve it!

But what can happen to me? I am tough to the point of coarseness. More than that: it seems as if I have been completely morally regenerated (I say this to you and before God), and if it had not been for my worrying about you the past three days, if it had not been for my wondering every minute about what this would do to you—I would even have been happy! You mustn't think I am crazy, Anya, my guardian angel! A great thing has happened to me: I have rid myself of the abominable delusion that has tormented me for almost 10 years. For ten years (or, to be more precise, ever since my brother's death, when I suddenly found myself weighted down by debts) I dreamed about winning money. I dreamt of it seriously, passionately. But now it is all over! This was the very last time. Do you believe now, Anya, that my hands are untied?—I was tied up by gambling but now I will put my mind to worthwhile things instead of spending whole nights dreaming about gambling, as I used to do. And so my work will be better and more profitable, with God's blessing! Let me keep your heart, Anya, do not come to hate me, do not stop loving me. Now that I have become a new man, let us pursue our path together and I shall see to it that you are happy!

And Lyuba, Lyuba, oh, how despicably I have behaved! But I am thinking only of you. I can just imagine how you will feel when you read this! And even before you get is letter, how much you will worry when you find I have not come back, and the things you will imagine! Will they bring you this letter in time? And what if it gets lost! But how could it get lost since my telegram sent to the same address reached you? But to make sure, I will send a few lines addressed to poste restante tomorrow and will mail it during the day.

I keep wondering: will I get a letter from you tomorrow or won't I? Probably not! You are expecting me back tomorrow so why should you write?

And if you cannot send me the money on Sunday, write me a letter. I would be so happy to receive even a few lines in your hand, even if you cursed me in them. If you cannot manage to write on Sunday, send me a letter the first thing on Monday together with the money (that is, if you haven't already sent the money on Sunday.) In any case, your letter will reach me before the money and it would make me so happy to hear from you!

Anya, when I think about how you will feel when you get this letter, it makes me go all cold inside. That is the only thing that causes me suffering. As for the rest—the boredom, the loneliness, and the uncertainty—I am sure I can put up with all of that. I deserve worse! I will try to keep myself busy; in the three days ahead, I'll get off two letters that I have to write—to Katkov and to Maikov! But believe me, Anya, our resurrection has come about and believe, too, that now I shall reach my goal and make you happy!

I kiss you both and hug you, forgive me, Anya! From now on, all yours, Fyodor Dostoevsky

PS I shall not go and see the priest, in no event, whatever happens. He is a witness of things that took place long ago and that time has vanished. It would be painful to me even to meet him!

PSS Anya, my eternal joy, my only happiness—don't worry, don't torment yourself, preserve yourself for me!

Don't worry about that accursed, insignificant 180 thalers. It is true that this leaves us without money once again, but not for long, though, not for long (possibly Stellovsky will save us). To be sure, we are faced with the appalling necessity of pawning things again, which you find so odious! But this is the last time, the very last time! Back home, I'll make money, I know I will! If only we could get back to Russia quickly! I will write Katkov and implore him to advance the date of payment, and I am certain he will be responsive.

In the name of God, don't worry about me (ah, you are an angel, and, even if you cursed me, you would be sorry for me), yet I know that you will worry. But you may be at peace: I shall be regenerated in these three days and start a new life. Oh, how anxious I am to be back together with you! The only thing that frightens me is the thought of how you will take this letter. But of one thing you can be sure--of my infinite love for you. And from now on I will never do anything that will make you miserable.

PSSS I will remember this as long as I live and each time I think of it I will bless you, my angel! Let there be no mistake, now I am yours, all yours, undividedly yours. Whereas, up till now one-half of me belonged to that accursed delusion.