Beyond the Books: Those Who Inspire and Library Sales

Every Thursday Karen of KissinBlueKaren hosts Beyond the Books, at which time participants are given a topic and asked to write about it on their own blogs. They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

Today Karen's Beyond the Books topic is about my favorite teacher and mentor and why.

I hate this question any time it is asked. I have such a hard time thinking of an answer. I never really had a favorite teacher. Even in my work, I cannot say I have had just one mentor. I picked up lessons and advice to live by from a variety of people over the years, but not one in particular stands out above the others. After spending days trying to decide how best to approach today's topic, four people in particular stood out in my mind as having inspired me, who I think highly of, and admire, and would like to emulate in some way. Mostly because I value what they stand for and admire how they chose to live their lives. True, a couple are not real. But the voices behind them are.

Eleanor Roosevelt

“People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously.”

“I believe anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do, provided he keeps doing them until he gets a record of successful experience behind him.”

“You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude.”

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”

“You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.”

Maya Angelou

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude about it."

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."

"We have to confront ourselves. Do we like what we see in the mirror? And, according to our light, according to our understanding, according to our courage, we will have to say yea or nay -- and rise!"

"I am a Woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal Woman, that's me."

"Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud."

Albus Dumbledore (J.K. Rowling)

"It is our choices that show what we truly are far more than our abilities." ~  Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 

"Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?” ~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows 

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." ~ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

"Words are, in my not-so-humble opinion, our most inexhaustible source of magic. Capable of both inflicting injury, and remedying it." ~ Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Doctor Who

“The way I see it, every life is a pile of good things and bad things. The good things don’t always soften the bad things, but vice versa, the bad things don’t always spoil the good things and make them unimportant.” ~ The Eleventh Doctor

“Books! The best weapons in the world!” - The Tenth Doctor

"Let me tell you about scared. Your heart is beating so hard -- I can feel it through your hands! There's so much blood and oxygen pumping through your brain, it's like rocket fuel. Right now, you could run faster and you could fight harder. You can jump higher than ever in your life. And you are so alert, it's like you can slow down time. What's wrong with scared? Scared is a super power! It's your super power!" - The Twelfth Doctor

"We all change, when you think about it. We’re all different people all through our lives. And that’s okay, that’s good, you’ve got to keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be" - The Eleventh Doctor

 “Some people live more in 20 years than others do in 80. It’s not the time that matters, it’s the person.” — The Tenth Doctor

How about you? Do you have a favorite teacher or mentor?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

What time of the year does your library have its library sale? (submitted by  Elizabeth)

My local library sells books during their business hours year round. There's a room in the library full of books patrons can purchase. I am ashamed to admit I have never been in that room nor have I ever actually purchased a book from our library (although I have donated hundreds of books to them). By the time I started visiting the library regularly, I had mostly stopped buying paper books. If I buy a paper book now, it's usually one I am looking for specifically. I seem to be more prone to impulse buy e-books these days.

Do you frequent your library sales?

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 © 2015, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.