Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Laura Ingalls Wilder quote


Vices are simply overworked virtues, anyway. Economy and frugality are to be commended but follow them on in an increasing ratio and what do we find at the other end? A miser! If we overdo the using of spare moments we may find an invalid at the end, while perhaps if we allowed ourselves more idle time we would conserve our nervous strength and health to more than the value the work we could accomplish by emulating at all times the little busy bee.

I once knew a woman, not very strong, who to the wonder of her friends went through a time of extraordinary hard work without any ill effects.

I asked her for her secret and she told me that she was able to keep her health, under the strain, because she took 20 minutes, of each day in which to absolutely relax both mind and body. She did not even “set and think.” She lay at full length, every muscle and nerve relaxed and her mind as quiet as her body. This always relieved the strain and renewed her strength.

6 comments:

  1. That was a wonderful post and a good reminder that we need to make time to restore our inner being so we can have peace amidst the chaos in our lives.

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  2. what a wonderful idea to completely turn off your body and mind for a short period every day...it is worth trying...

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  3. I've found the 'off switch' for everything but my mind. It just keeps going and going and going...

    I just LOVE Laura.

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  4. It is not easy to relax completely.

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  5. I am so going to do that today... relax mind and body... pray...

    Thank you for sharing!

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  6. The first few years we homeschooled, we had quiet time every day. I'm not sure what ever happened to that ... probably high school (at home).

    PS I read -- and much enjoyed -- your Suite 101 piece on Wilder! Have your read her book Little House in the Ozarks? You would enjoy it. :o)

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