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We shape our buildings - Winston Churchill - Be in action

We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.


from:  Winston Churchill, Painter, Political Survivor, Orator, and Nobel Prize for Literature Winner


So much negativity in the world and in my thoughts.  Originally, I was looking for a quote about the benefits of having positive thoughts.  Sigh.  There are many quotes like that out there, but the ones I found where either by celebrities or self-help gurus.  Not that what they are saying is not useful, it is just I wanted elegant, powerful bon mots from a profound source.

 So, Churchill.


 I'd written down in my notes about this quote.  It was made in a speech to rebuild the House of Commons after a bombing raid.  I noted the quote because it agrees with my belief that architecture influences those who encounter it, whether for good or bad.  But in this case, I am presenting it to my gentle readers as a metaphor.  Like:  "You reap what you sow," or "You've made your bed, so go lay in it."

 Allegorical fires, earthquakes, floods, drought, and pillow fights may disrupt your designs for the future.  But is that a reason to be negative?  Where does the negative thoughts lead you?

 So these ideas struck me with turning to the teaching of Buddha.  This area is fraught with misquotes ( does Sanskrit really translate well?) which makes sorting for an accurate quote a monumental task.  However, my searching once again resulted in a site I've turned to in the past:  Fake Buddha Quotes.  ( I just love the tag line:  I can't believe it's not Buddha!)  

 The FBQ entry that came up, it was discussed the link between WHAT WE THINK AND WHAT WE DO is important.  Pollyanna-ish positive thinking isn't going to make the boulder rise up.  Quoting the site:  The Buddha’s view on positive thinking was that if it violates reality, it’s worthless.

 So, happiness is tied to positive thoughts AND positive action.  Design your positive future (  see this Stanford project website ) and, in the words of the goddess of victory, just do it.

Gratitudes:  Light bulbs, ceramics, podcasts.
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