Einstein: Way More Than Physics

Einstein continues to inspire me with every quote I read.  The man was so much more than a brilliant physicist.  He pushed the boundary of scientific and social acceptance.  He had a beautiful view of life that focused on respect and compassion.  That alone made him one of the most brilliant men this world has ever seen.

“Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are incapable of forming such opinions."

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”  

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” 

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”  

“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.” 

“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”  

“I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” 

“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.” 

Resolutions

I love New Year’s resolutions. My husband decided not to make any this year because he never keeps them and doesn’t see the point in waiting until a specific date to do something. While I partially agree with this attitude, the idea of a fresh start is so inspiring.  Every year a flood of resolutions and goals fill my mind. I wake up with a spring in my step looking forward to a healthy new me. And then February hits and I revert to old habits.  But!  Then something new will inspire me and I’ll jump back on board. The cycle of my life: always seeking fresh sources of inspiration. I see no reason to pass up a source that reliably presents itself every year.

Picking a resolution is difficult because there are too many things I’d like to improve in my life: eat better, exercise more, sleep more, keep a cleaner house, keep a more organized house, read more, watch TV less, have more spontaneous dance parties, spend more quality time with family and friends, arrange more play-dates for Rachel, do more yoga, do more art projects, be less cranky, have fewer headaches, take fewer trips to the vet, procrastinate less, spend less money, go on more vacations, etc. 

Basically perfection based on contradicting desires.

I read a tip once that if your resolutions are very specific they will be much more achievable than vague “be healthy” goals.  Thus I’ve narrowed my choices down to three very specific things.

1. Be a more conscientious consumer by making sure all my cleaning and hygiene products are cruelty free.
2. Participate in three running events.  
3.  Find six new, delicious, healthy recipes to add to our regular rotation.

They should be practical and I’ve already started all three. I found a list of cruelty free companies on PETA’s website, reviewed most of the products I buy, and started reviewing local stores for available brands. I have a 10K planned for the end of February, made a training chart, and did my first run this morning. I made an experimental “pumpkin pie milkshake” this morning and while I don’t think it will make the regular rotation, experimentation is a good start.

What are your resolutions?