I own a treasured keep sake given to me by my Mama Bear, a book titled Character & Conduct.

Character & Conduct: A book of helpful thoughts by great writers of past and present ages. Selected and arranged for daily reading.

It originally belonged to my great grandfather who was gifted it for Christmas in the year 1914, 109 years ago. The book itself was published in 1910, making it 113 years old.

Not only is it still in good condition with it's beautiful brown suade cover and pages all well in tact, I read from it almost daily and what I appreciate about it most is that even 113 years after being published, it contains lessons and observations that I find relevant till this day.

This week I've pulled a few specific quotes from the book on a variety of topics. For those of you here who enjoy pondering on writings of the wise ones that have lived before us, I feel like it's really special to share these with you. I hope they enlighten you in one way or another. 

Preface excerpt: This collection of noble thoughts expressed by men and women of past and present ages who have endeavoured to leave the world a little better than they found it. It is obvious that without the kindly co-operation of many authors and publishers such books could not exist. Where I have occasionally used short quotations without permission I ask forgiveness. 

I wanted to share this excerpt from the preface of the book as the part that says "where I have occasionally used short quotations without permission I ask forgiveness" resonates with me deeply, and just rushes in that "oh how very human of me factor" which forms such a big piece of Braver. We can have all the best intentions to do something well or right and it still may not land well. It's ok. Say sorry. Forgive yourself. Allow others to feel what they need to even if you are being misunderstood and then: keep on being your braver imperfect human self.

 On Character

"It is more men that the world wants, not more systems. It is character that our modern life waits for, to redeem and transform it; and conduct as the fruitage of character" - The Citizen in his Relation to the Industrial Situation, Bishop Potter

On Nature

"To the body and mind which have been cramped by noxious work or company, nature is medicinal, and restores their tone. The tradesman, the attorney, comes out of the din and craft to the street, and sees the sky and the woods, and is a man again. In their eternal calm, he finds himself" - Emerson

 On Resting

"Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under the trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time" - Lord Avebury

On Patience

"Patience under adverse circumstances will often bring about favourable results, while complaint only accentuates and fixes the cause of complaint. Avoid mention of the disagreeable things that may come into your life. The secret of success lies not so much in knowing what to say as in what to avoid saying"

On Momentum

Gaining or losing all the time is our condition, morally and spiritually. We cannot stand utterly still. If we are not improving we are losing ground. Outside forces compel that, in addition to the forces that are working within. We are pressing forward and being helped in that direction, or we are being pressed backward and are yielding to that pressure. Let us not deceive ourselves with the idea that even though we are making no progress we are at least holding our own. We can no more stand still than time can" - The Happy Warrior, Wordsworth

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this weeks post, comment or send me a private message, it's always nice to hear if a topic lands. Thank you for being here,  Astrid 🐻