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| Buds becoming flowers (Source) |
"What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you BECOME by achieving your goals" ~ Henry David Thoreau
I just discovered this quote while looking for material for the challenge and it really spoke to me. It's not an exaggeration to say that I've become a different person since I started blogging and writing regularly. The whole experience has enriched my life in ways that mean more than any monetary reward ever could, and I would never want to go back to who I was in the past.
I've mentioned before that I absolutely loved Buffy and it's the reason I fell in love with the mythology of vampires and wanted to write a vampire novel myself. So how does that fit in with this post?
I think some of the best episodes of the series, and honestly some of the best episodes of tv I've ever seen, were the second season's final two hours, entitled Becoming Part 1 and Part 2. The episodes also have some of my favorite quotes, which both relate to the theme of this post.
Whistler: The big moments are gonna come, you can't help that. It's what you do
afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are.
Angelus:
No weapons... no friends... no hope. Take all that away and what's left?
Buffy:
Me.
That last one is one of the best "you go, girl" scenes that I've ever seen. :D
Have you experienced defining moments or achieved goals that have helped you become who you are?
Have fun with the A to Z challenge. I'm not participating anymore this year as it takes so much time. Have a lovely end of the week.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Julie! I love the Thoreau quote. :)
ReplyDeleteYou go girl - funny!
ReplyDeleteIt is who we become that matters. I know I have changed since I first began blogging over five years ago.
That quote is great - focusing on the 'why' rather than the 'what'.
ReplyDeleteExcellent quotes! Gotta love Buffy :D
ReplyDeleteBuffy was awesome!
ReplyDeleteI love BUFFY - it's STILL awesome. I rewatch it every few years. I'm totally due for another rewatch, right now. But I'm still getting through my current show, FRINGE.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading your blog since before you published your first book and it's been awesome to see your life change in this way :)
Great post, Julie. Defining human moments? Absolutely! Everyday, in fact. Trees speak to me (no, I'm not crazy). Their movements, their stillness, their sculptural qualities, their changes. I am mesmerized by them and I carry their lessons with me. To live in the moment and to be what God has created me to be.
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
ReplyDeleteI LOVE you theme. The Thoreau quote is wonderful! I can see why it inspired you.
I've never watch Buffy, but I do like the quote you featured!
Thanks for sharing!
That is one of the saddest Buffy episodes of all time. The end...oh god. It kills me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the 2015 A to Z Challenge!
A to Z Co-Host S. L. Hennessy
http://pensuasion.blogspot.com
That is a great quote at the start of the blog. It's the journey.
ReplyDeleteH Julie - I too picked up Thoreau's quote .. it's the journey isn't it. I know I've changed hugely since my mother was ill and at the same time started blogging .. a sort of cross-reference as I travelled my path. It's so true ..
ReplyDeleteI don't know Buffy .. but am sure it resonates with you .. I do pick up quotes and think about them .. and occasionally keep them .. but I don't use them.
Great B for Become, Becoming and Buffy (to me the unknown!) .. cheers Hilary
Love the quote, and while I've never watched Buffy, I can see why you like those lines so much. The one thing we always have is ourselves, even if we need to be reminded of that once in a while. I'm not sure if I've had any single defining moments or times when I realized I was becoming who I am; I think it's been more of a long, slow process that I only really see when I look back.
ReplyDeleteBut it's good to look back and see that it's happened. ^_^
"Life, is not a having and a getting, but a being and a becoming." --Myrna Loy
Thoreau knew how to say it well, it says a lot for contemplation. One of my defining moments was learning to trust in my own instincts enough. I learned that lesson when I was in my twenties. It hasn't failed me yet.
ReplyDeleteBlogging really is good for the soul, isn't it? It's so nice to get the words out, and I adore all the wonderful people I've met through it. Plus, but reading others' blogs, I learn so much -- especially during the A-Z challenge when people have such a variety of responses to each letter.
ReplyDeleteLove your approach to the challenge, by the way! Quotes are such good inspiration.
I love that quote! I just saw it the other day on Facebook.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the growth, Julie. It's amazing what you've accomplished in a few short years. You go, girl! :))
ReplyDeleteIt's a defining moment when you sort out a plot problem or get some good feedback and realise you are meant to be doing this after all. Inspiring post!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great quote Julie! I love the color of the flowers on your picture. My fave. Happy blogging!
ReplyDeleteHappy blogging has transformed you Julie - I find writing can be a mood alterer..
ReplyDeleteLove that quote. I'm a nerdy buffy fan!!! Have been forever!!
ReplyDelete"Angelus: No weapons... no friends... no hope. Take all that away and what's left?
ReplyDelete"Buffy: Me."
Sad
This is a great quote and I can say yes to your question because there are things I experienced or learned that have helped me become who I am today and I mean this in a positive way. I struggled to get my BA and because of this I reached my goal which was to help people. I didn't know it would be as a Credit Counsellor but I am enriched for it
ReplyDeleteBuffy's a great show, and while a lot of people might say it's cuz of the humor, to me it's Buffy's strength. And this episode did a great job of showing that.
ReplyDeleteLove the Thoreau quote!It's a keeper. :)
ReplyDeleteYvonne
Go, Buffy! I mean, Go, Julie!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on the becoming quote from Thoreau. I'm thankful I took this journey too - it's definitely been enriching to make a dream come true and to meet some great bloggers along the way. :)
Great addition to A to Z!
Love this...."It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are."
ReplyDeleteGreat quotes! It is all about the journey. I agree that blogging has really changed my life as well.
ReplyDeleteThe "Becoming" episodes of Buffy are some of my favorites, as well. Been too long since I've watched 'em!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, I love the quote!
ReplyDeleteEvalina, This and that...
Whenever I get frustrated with the money part of writing, my son always reminds me that the great authors wrote out of love, not to be rich or famous.
ReplyDeleteSo, becoming is way better than getting.
Never watched Buffy. I live in a house of men who always vetoed.
I LOVE quotes! I'm going to have to come here everyday! You are right, becoming a writer as changed me, too. Fortunately, all for the better.
ReplyDeleteScribbles From Jenn - Visiting from A to Z Challenge 2015
What a great quote, Julie! This is such an important message that many of us can relate to. I'll have to remember it the next time someone asks me what I do for a living!
ReplyDeleteJulie
Great quote, and I agree- I'm a HUGE Buffy fan. Makes me want to re-watch the series...
ReplyDelete