Friday, June 01, 2007

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross: The most beautiful people...

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths.

These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep, loving concern.

Beautiful people do not just happen.

--Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, On Death and Dying

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I have always believed that we see ourselves in the reflection of others and understanding what we find to be beautiful/pleasant (and ugly or distasteful) says a lot about who we are as a person.

I think the focus of the quote is not just any person who makes it through a hard difficult time, but those that do so and then continue to be a positive force in the world (perhaps a person who was abused somehow, but doesn't let that completely ruin their perspective allowing them continue to do positive things to help others).

We all have suffered in some way, it is what we do with that suffering that ultimately defines us...

I've been thinking about all of this... a lot ...

7 comments:

literaghost said...

What led you to pondering this particular topic so much, if you don't mind me asking?

- L. W.

(Psst - I think you're a beautiful person, regardless of the sub-definition... :D)

literaghost said...

P.S.: Is this you or not? It's driving me crazy!

- L. W.

Michael said...

I was working with some students on conceptual writing in which the writer explores/researches/defines a complex abstract concept (freedom, beauty, home, terror, etc). One of the more common choices is the concept of "beauty" and we were discussing how are society determines beauty ... while thinking about this I came across Kubler-Ross' quote in one of my books and thought that it was a unique statement about the concept of beauty that goes beyond the supeficial appreciation of physical attributes.

Thanks for the kind words Literaghost, I think you are beautiful too...

As for your second comment--that isn't me... I often identify myself as Thivai online, but never Dialogic (other than the name for this site)

literaghost said...

I was wondering - if you'll look at his/her catalog, there're a lot of books and authors that you've brought up here in the past. That, in conjunction with the name, started to make me suspicious. Ah, well - so much for hoping I could sneak a peek at your bookshelf! :D

...Whoever it actually is, I probably creeped him/her out...oops.

Susy Beltran said...

I love this quote! I found it a couple of months ago and shared it with a friend so was in dear need of inspiration. However, I forgot to save the quote. Thus, I am happy you posted it. Thank you!

Cletis said...

I have received a ton of referrals from your site today. I'm glad for the traffic but more pleased I have found you. This quote pretty well describes my life. I hope the do something with it in a positive way implication applies as well. Do you know me? If not, the quantum world has kicked down the door (or burrowed through) and has summoned us to a meeting.

Michael said...

I don't think we have met IRL -- that I know of?