In nature, improbabilities are the one stock in trade. The whole creation is one lunatic fringe. If creation had been left up to me, I'm sure I wouldn't have had the imagination or courage to do more than shape a single, reasonably sized atom, smooth as a snowball, and let it go at that. Annie Dillard
About This Quote

The improbability of a human being is a source of awe and wonder. The world is a place where anything is possible, and the power of the human spirit to overcome nature’s obstacles is amazing. Because there are so many things that people cannot control, they tend to become frustrated. However, this idea can be used as a reminder that we must not take our limitations as a reason to give up on life.

Instead, we should learn from nature’s mistakes and use those lessons to make the chance of success even better. As an example, try going for a jog in the pouring rain, but with your umbrella open. You will be soaked by the time you make it home.

That is an example of one aspect of nature that people cannot control. However, if you close your umbrella and push through the rain instead of giving up on your run because it rained most of your day, you will succeed in completing your run.

Source: Pilgrim At Tinker Creek

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More Quotes By Annie Dillard
  1. How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.
  2. Spend the afternoon, you can't take it with you.
  3. You do not have to sit outside in the dark. If, however, you want to look at the stars, you will find that darkness is necessary. But the stars neither require nor demand it.
  4. Could two live that way? Could two live under the wild rose, and explore by the pond, so that the smooth mind of each is as everywhere present to the other, and as received and as unchallenged, as falling snow?
  5. Eskimo: "If I did not know about God and sin, would I go to hell?" Priest: "No, not if you did not know." Eskimo: "Then why did you tell me?
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