June 2009 MeetingThe Host: Connie
The Book: Gift From the Sea
The Response of the Book Club Members: Each member had a chance to respond to a series of quotes that Connie selected from this classic book written by Anne Morrow Lindbergh many years ago. Several members had read this book many years ago and discovered new insights with this second reading. For others the book was a first read. Everyone agreed that Anne Morrow Lindbergh who was born in 1906 was a both a visionary and a lady of remarkable wisdom whose thoughts are very very relevant today. Below the photos are some of the quotes from the book that stimulated a lot of great discussion amongst the readers.
The wave of the future is coming and there is no fighting it.
The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea.
If you surrender completely to the moments as they pass, you live more richly those moments.
For happiness one needs security, but joy can spring like a flower even from the cliffs of despair.
The only real security is not in owning or possessing, not in demanding or expecting, not in hoping, even. security in a relationship lies neither in looking back to what it was, nor forward to what it might be, but living in the present and accepting it as it is now.
Only in growth, reform, and change, paradoxically enough, is true security to be found.
Don't wish me happiness - I don't expect to be happy it's gotten beyond that, somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor - I will need them all.
Men kick friendship around like a football, but it doesn't seem to crack. Women treat it like glass and it goes to pieces.
I believe that what woman resents is not so much giving herself in pieces as giving herself purposelessly.
I believe that what woman resents is not so much giving herself in pieces as giving herself purposelessly.
Life is a gift, given in trust - like a child.
Grief can't be shared. Everyone carries it alone. His own burden in his own way.
The most exhausting thing in life is being insincere.
One can never pay in gratitude: one can only pay 'in kind" somewhere else in life.
I feel we are all islands - in a common sea.
Connie had each quote typed up on a pretty card and we got a card to read and think about. Then we were told to give a comment on our quote or to call on another book club member to comment on the quote. This led to an excellent book discussion that included every book club member and led to great shared insights into the book.Great idea, Connie. I think I would like to use this technique in October for my turn hosting.
