128 Quotes by Joan D. Chittister

My limitations make space for the gifts of other people. Without the grace of our limitations we would be isolated, dry, and insufferable creatures indeed.

The secret of life is to let every segment of it produce its own yield at its own pace. Every period has something new to teach us. The harvest of youth is achievement; the harvest of middle-age is perspective; the harvest of age is wisdom; the harvest of life is serenity.

Fear is not the opposite of courage. Fear is the catalyst of courage.

Life is a series of lessons, some of them obvious, some of them not. We learn as we go that dreams end, that plans get changed, that promises get broken, that our idols disappoint us.

Hope is not a matter of waiting for things outside of us to get better. It is about getting better inside about what is going on outside.

Hope is what sits by the window and waits for one more dawn, despite the fact that there isn’t an ounce of proof in tonight’s black, black sky that it can possible come.

Two ideas militate against our consciously contributing to a better world. The idea that we can do everything or the conclusion that we can do nothing to make this globe a better place to live are both temptations of the most insidious form. One leads to arrogance; the other to despair.

Life is not meant to be a burden. Life is not a problem to be solved. It is a blessing to be celebrated.

Awareness of the sacred in life is what holds our world together, and the lack of awareness of the sacred is what is tearing it apart.