The Synergy Game - A Journey From Death to Life
The Synergy Game - A Journey From Death to Life
Chapter 15 - Words As Anchors: The Transformative Power of Quotes in Life's Storms
This is my book The Synergy Game.
I am serialising it here. Each chapter will be available for everyone to read because, after all, that’s why I’ve written it, to help others, to share what has helped me to rebuild my life. Paying members have access to the audio version also and extra content I share, poetry and insights from writing the book and rebuilding my life.
Chapter 15 - Words As Anchors: The Transformative Power of Quotes in Life's Storms
"The best word shakers were the ones who understood the true power of words. They were the ones who could climb the highest."
-Markus Zusak
I've always been a reader, a bookworm, so naturally, I love quotes.
A few years ago, I started a business designing and selling art prints and mugs based on classic book quotes or quotes from authors. I didn't realise how much it meant to have these reminders around until I needed them.
When I came back to France after leaving my husband, the house that we'd shared was now mine, and I decorated it and added things without consulting anyone else as to their preferences.
I realised that I would need constant positive reminders all around me, so I ordered some of my prints and other people’s, too. I made myself mugs with quotes on to remind me of how I wanted to handle things.
One quote I found talked about going through a challenge with grace, bravery, courage and determination and as soon as I read it, I knew that's how I wanted to deal with the situation I found myself in.
I made a mug with that quote on it so I could be reminded every morning as I drank my tea. I also put post-its on my fridge with those individual words on.
It's been proven that repetition forms new habits and that we need to see things a certain number of times before it sinks into our subconscious. I figured that if I saw these reminders every day, multiple times a day, it would sink in and give me the strength I needed for what I had to do, which was rebuild my life or rather create a new one.
I purposely chose quotes that embodied the qualities I wanted to display or quotes that inspired me to keep going.
One of my favourites is the Albert Camus verse that talks about an invincible summer. “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.” It reminded me I may be in the darkest winter of my life, but I had strength inside I was learning to tap into.
Sometimes, it's only by looking back we can see how powerful and helpful something has been. This was one of those times. I did it by instinct. I've always been inspired by words, and I knew I needed a lot around me.
When I was thinking of the things that helped me for this book, I remembered how the quotes and reminders around my house had strengthened me and reminded me not to give up and that things would improve.
Another empowering quote I found was from Haruki Murakami “And once the storm is over, you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm, you won’t be the same person who walked in. That’s what this storm’s all about.”
I found it amazing that I came across so many quotes and pieces of writing that were just what I needed and exactly when I needed them. This was one of those quotes.
I realised that I wanted to know the person who was going to walk out of that storm. I wanted to discover who I would become because this touched my heart. I knew I would be a different person. I had to be.
If you are a tea drinker like me or a coffee drinker, mugs are a great idea. Part of my website sells quote mugs, but it's also easy to find someone online who will custom-make a mug or two for you.
Because the thing is, quotes are so very personal. What resonates so deeply with me may not be for you. But once you find a few that resonate, it's important to see them often, and that's why I like some of them on mugs. It's a gentle reminder, and eventually, it sinks in, and you stop one day and realise that you have put that quote into practice in your life.
So, where do you find quotes apart from reading them in books? I've used lots of methods. Social media sites like Instagram and Facebook. Pinterest is good. Google, which brings up written and picture types. You don't need to know the author, you can just google quotes about... being strong, being positive, not giving up, surviving etc. or an inspiring quote or motivating quote. You get the idea. Be warned, it can be addictive!
Quotes are great but they must be more than words. What I mean is we need to understand how to pull the meaning and wisdom from the quote. It's all well loving the words, but until we see how to use it in our lives it's just words on paper or a screen.
So how do we do that? We stop, be still, and think instead of reading it and letting it wash over us. I like to put myself in the quote, make it very personal.
For example, with the Murakami quote I mentioned earlier, I knew I was in a storm, it felt exactly like that when I thought about it.
If you've ever been in a strong storm, the feeling of being buffeted front, back and sideways by the wind, the driving rain in your face so you can't see, the loud thunder that makes you want to hide and the lightning that is terrifying.
I've been in storms like this so when I read it, it resonated with me, and it felt like my life was at that moment. I also knew from the storms I'd been in, that they end. Either they stop or you find shelter.
That feeling when the thunder and lightning stops and you don't know if it's over or if it will start again. If it's a powerful storm, there is that feeling of euphoria when you are safe because for a while you may have wondered if this was the time you really should have stayed home, that maybe you won't make it through this one.
You've been through an experience, and like any experience, it changes you. I knew I was going through a huge experience, and I didn't know how or if I'd make it through, but one thing I was certain of, was that I wouldn't be the person I was before.
I had to stop and take some time to contemplate the quote, to see how it fitted me and my circumstances. What could I get from it? What inspired me? How could I use it in my life at this moment?
Once you get into the habit of doing this, you will find you get a lot more from quotes and sayings that touch you in some way. All it takes is being still for a moment and asking yourself a few questions. It's worth it, don't you think?
Once you've thought about it, it comes back to mind easily when you see the quote again.
It's not a magic formula. It's part of the toolkit. That's why this book is called The Synergy Game.
Life is a game we are playing, and our healing is not linear, one size fits all. It’s little pieces all put together. A little help here, a little support there, and one day you look back and it’s changed. I looked back and realised that my life was different. I had rebuilt my life.
One thing did not do it, it was using all these things together so they became powerful, and I made huge changes more easily. It was like a holistic support system I had created for myself.
Previous Chapter - Beyond Belief: Finding Connection in the Universe and Ourselves
Next Chapter - Styled For Myself: Embracing Self-Love Through the Power of Personal Style
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