In the Garden of Thoughts - Dodinsky.pdf

dodinsky

Illustrations by Amanda Cass

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Copyright © 2012 by Dodinsky Cover and internal design © 2012 by Sourcebooks, Inc. Cover and internal illustrations by Amanda Cass Cover design by Jennifer K. Beal Davis, jennykate.com Sourcebooks and the colophon are registered trademarks of Sourcebooks, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from its publisher, Sourcebooks, Inc. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. —From a Declaration of Principles Jointly Adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations All brand names and product names used in this book are trademarks, registered trademarks, or trade names of their respective holders. Sourcebooks, Inc. is not associated with any product or vendor in this book. Published by Sourcebooks, Inc. P.O. Box 4410, Naperville, Illinois 60567-4410 (630) 961-3900 Fax: (630) 961-2168 www.sourcebooks.com Printed and bound in China. LEO 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

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Dear Readers, Where and how do we dig for the frequently-spoken-of “reservoir of inner strength”? A map to lead us is so important, to provide a starting place saying, “you are here.” I hope this book serves as a reminder that your personal “you are here” can always be found in your heart. Share your sparkle wherever you are.

—dodinsky

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When you are looking at a mountain, marveling at its beauty and strength, realize it is looking right back and admiring you.

Embrace your own greatness.

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Consider your heart a cocoon from which dreams emerge like butterflies to wander in the garden.

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A mind preoccupied with thoughts of resentment and bitterness cannot change the past. Nor do those thoughts wound anyone but the soul that beholds them.

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Unbind your spirit.

Don’t let the opinion of others restrain you.

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I survived my insecurities and though the road is daunting, I have learned being true-to-oneself is good company.

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If others want to define you, don’t linger in their pond. Swim away from their ignorance and find your ocean.

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Even if you find your voice, sometimes it does not matter anymore, when you speak to someone who is deaf by choice.

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I hope that when you count the stars, you begin with yourself. May you embrace the moonlight with your dreams.

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The horizon, to remind you of your courage, sends its gentle waves of confidence to kiss your feet.

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Do not let your shadow walk you. You are not a slave of the past.

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When you go after your dreams, sometimes the crowd yells its wishful thinking. Ignore that explosion of opinion, and follow the trail leading to your heart. It will always whisper your truth.

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The dreams of the broken are mightier than the wishes of the dead.

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Be there for others, but never leave yourself behind.

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When you own your imperfections and you embrace your life, you become a better person. Life is about turning obstacles into pedestals.

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The strength of your will cannot be imprisoned by other people’s ignorance.

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Do not become a stranger to yourself by blending in with everyone else.

Your road to happiness should be memorable for the scenery as well as the destination.

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When you stray away from your soul, the distance you have traveled is measured by the aching of your heart.

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If you stumbled today, remember where and how it felt. Tomorrow, take a different path. Life flourishes from its pain and the lessons we gain.

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When it seems that everything you do is wrong and everyone is against you—it is the best time to wear your “I-don’t-give-a-damn” tutu.

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Glide gleefully in the dance floor of “this is me and my life.”

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If someone you trusted betrayed you by choice, don’t cuddle up to the rejection or blame yourself. Why don’t you pick yourself up and love yourself better? This, too, is by choice.

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There is a place called happiness, it is just an arm’s length away from your fears and a few steps beyond your misgivings. To get there, sometimes you need to take the path of courage down to the street of never-give-up, until you reach the field of dreams.

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The question is not why they don’t like you when you are being you. It is why you waste time worrying what they think. If you are not hurting anyone with your actions, keep moving forward with your life.

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Every morning I start with a drink from my cup of sunshine, to remind myself of who I am before I step into the world of “this is who we think you are.”

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No matter how far the distance you have traveled or the failures that have gathered, hope would still meet you anywhere.

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It is time to go and leave the past behind. Exile the thoughts of painful memories. You have learned what they have taught you.

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I hope you see the luster in the simplest of things and heed the whispers of the heart.

After all, there is a part of you that knows that having less can mean living more.

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The butterfly said to the sun, “They can’t stop talking about my transformation. But I can only do it once in my lifetime. If only they knew that they can transform at any time and in countless ways.”

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No one can dictate what attitude you will wear today. If you meet someone whose intent is to put you down, remember it is you who wears the crown.

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Do not plant your dreams in the field of indecision, where nothing ever grows but the weeds of “what-if.”

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To be at peace, your opinion of yourself must outweigh the assumptions of others about who you are. It is a conscious decision that their words no longer have the ability to keep you down.

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Your value is the product of your thoughts. Do not miscalculate your self-worth by multiplying your insecurities.

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They who do not fear darkness have learned to light their own candle.

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All the puzzle pieces are in your hands! Don’t go looking for someone to complete it for you. That only reinforces the fear that you are incomplete. Life’s strongest glue is being happy to be you!

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Growing old with someone else is beautiful, but growing old while being true to yourself is divine.

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A Doormat’s Perspective A muted existence to anguish in silence, it’s nearly impossible for the doormat to find release. I doubt if it knows the key is hidden right under it, so very close, always within reach.

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The soul does not absorb negativity by accident, only by choice.

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Knowing who you are is the best defense against who they think you are.

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There are friendships imprinted in our hearts that will never be diminished by time or distance.

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Sometimes the one you dismiss so easily is the one who will stay to weather the storm with you.

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To strengthen the muscles of your heart, the best exercise is lifting someone else’s spirit whenever you can.

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You cannot avoid bad days. Sometimes you will shut a lot of doors, dimming your own light and creating a mind-set of woefulness.

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Although we are responsible for our own happiness, having a friend who opens more doors than you close is truly one of life’s greatest blessings.

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Do not worry about others leaving you behind. They are not going where you are headed. It is not who finished first, but who saw the most of life.

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If you travel in a path that makes you happy and you are misunderstood by many, I hope you consider the opinion that carries the most weight—YOURS.

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You can’t stop people from passing judgment. But they can’t build your prison—you do.

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A great many battles I have won are those that I have walked away from. They have strengthened my character, helping me learn that, in life, it is not always necessary to prove you are right. Know that there are people you can never please and questions you simply don’t need to answer.

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I hope you know that who you truly are can never be replaced by who they imagined and wanted you to be.

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Be grateful to those who left you, for their absence gave you the strength to grow in the space they abandoned.

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When I reach the place of my dreams, I will thank my failures and tears. They too, kept me going.

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Acknowledgments To my parents, Melba N. and Rustico N., who raised me with love and asked nothing but for me to be the best person I could be. To my friends, Arthur G., Carolyn B., Tracy H., and Sandra K., who served as fuel to my dreams and asked nothing but for me to keep on shining. To my agent, Wendy K. and editors Shana D. and Deirdre B., who believed in me and made this dream a reality. To my readers, who continue to engage with me and share my writings with family and friends: You validate what I do. Thank you all!

—dodinsky A ton of gratitude to my parents Virginia and John (Dad, I know you’re cheering for me up there!) for their love and encouragement. Many thanks to my dear siblings Nigel and Debbie for their support. And finally, thank you to my fans! Your kind compliments and general cheering-on have delighted and inspired me daily.

—Amanda

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About the Author At an early age, Dodinsky searched for life’s meaning and came to see the world from a unique perspective. He recognizes the simplicity in the most complex situations, masterfully perceives the emotions involved, and from these, weaves words that inspire people’s spirits.

About the Illustrator Amanda Cass is a carefree spirit living in the glorious vineyards of Marlborough, New Zealand. Her mission is to help spread love, life, and freedom through her art.

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