“In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: It goes on.” – Robert Lee Frost
This morning, I read a write-up Top 5 Best Quotes Ever by thooghun in Hub Pages. What is Top 5 Best Quotes to one may not be the Top 5 for another; It is subjective as mentioned by the author.
However, the author mentioned something which brought me to a new level of appreciating quotes. I have always like collecting quotes for the wisdom we can find in them, from my own interpretation, my own understanding, my own experiences and my point of views. It may or may not have anything to do with the great and famous people who uttered those words.
The author mentioned, “We cannot fully understand the beauty and power of certain quotes unless we understand both the context and the experiences of those who uttered them.” How true isn’t it?
Most who have undergone personal tribulations and challenges in life may understand that the world does not stop just because of them. The people around them would offer love, consolation, support and sympathy but end of the day, these people would have to move on with their own lives. The planet still continues to revolve around the sun. Nothing stops; changes are taking place all around us in the next nanosecond. This realisation usually comes later for some; for a while they may stop moving in their lives and thought likewise that their lives have ‘stopped.’
If only all will realise one day as what Robert Lee Frost had experienced that ‘Life goes on,’ then moving on and letting go would be much easier, smoother and faster.
A look at Robert Lee Frost’s personal life, one would realise that his life was plagued with grief and loss. At the age of 11, his father died of tuberculosis, leaving the family in financial distress. From Wikipedia:
Frost’s mother died of cancer in 1900. In 1920, Frost had to commit his younger sister, Jeanie, to a mental hospital, where she died nine years later. Mental illness apparently ran in Frost’s family, as both he and his mother suffered from depression, and his daughter Irma was committed to a mental hospital in 1947. Frost’s wife, Elinor, also experienced bouts of depression.
Elinor and Robert Frost had six children: son Elliot (1896–1904, died of cholera), daughter Lesley Frost Ballantine (1899–1983), son Carol (1902–1940, committed suicide), daughter Irma (1903–1967), daughter Marjorie (1905–1934, died as a result of puerperal fever after childbirth), and daughter Elinor Bettina (died three days after birth in 1907). Only Lesley and Irma outlived their father. Frost’s wife, who had heart problems throughout her life, developed breast cancer in 1937, and died of heart failure in 1938.
For Robert Lee Frost, ‘life’ then truly went on. I am deeply moved by the strength and inspiration in his words. I hope that you too will be inspired and you will find the inner strength; life goes on!
Photo by winterdove
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Hi BK .. what a wonderful point to make re quotes – we just read the words, perhaps evaluate what they are saying – but as you so rightly say we have no idea why that person said them.
People who have experienced terrible times and come through have so much ‘life’ in them – they find words to express these routes through.
Doesn’t life just go on … thank you – glad to meet Robert Frost .. Hilary
.-= Hilary´s last blog ..Chess, one of 100 objects, Northern Sea Trading Routes, India and Persia … =-.
Thanks for the wonderful insight. No sure if I have drawn the right conclusion, but man of the earlier times seems to have greater perseverance than us today.
For us living in the current era, having a more comfortable life seems to be a devil’s distraction.
God suddenly inspire me with this line, “Having more (materially) makes us less (in character)”
.-= footyman´s last blog ..You Don’t Look…. =-.
This is so true and so real BK, understanding the stories and experiences behind the these quotes adds more power to them . I could not help but read through them. Awesome post, have a lovely Sunday. 🙂
.-= Fatima Da´s last blog ..The Charismatic You ? =-.
@ Hilary, it is certainly a refreshing view when we have a little idea why the person uttered the words; we would be looking at these words in a whole new perspective.
@ Footyman, this is certainly obvious in people from the earlier times. Just recently I was reading an article in the newspaper describing people born in the 80s and the Strawberry generation; they crush under pressure. Perhaps there is some truth in the description. They have been through good times and provided with most good things in growing up. So comes tough times, some may not be able to cope with the tough times. Thank you for sharing that wonderful line, “Having more (materially) makes us less (in character).”
@ Fatima, glad that you have gained a new perspective in the quote, just as I did. 🙂
It’s so true that understanding the stories and experiences behind the quotes adds more power and meaning to them. So happy to read more of Robert Frost! Thanks so much once again for such inspiring post! Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
.-= jacqueline´s last blog ..back in the saddle again =-.
@ Jacqueline, glad that you like this post. Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you too.
Fascinating to consider the words behind a quote…why words were uttered, written… This particular quote and story is humbling. Life does have a way of rolling on in spite of things happening. Wonderful post today, BK! :o) Happy Week ((HUGS))
.-= Tracy´s last blog ..If I was… =-.
I love quotes and have gathered a few along my way, but don’t always remember who to give tribute to. Life does indeed go on even though you may have lost your will to live. I’ve known some people that have committed suicide because they felt they couldn’t live any more, but regardless of the weakness of their mind live still continues with out them at least in my reality.
.-= Jude´s last blog ..Baking In The Oven With The Orgreenic Pan =-.
I admire Mr Frost determination. Not many can survived and thrived under such tremendous pressure of life challenge.
.-= VanillaSeven´s last blog ..Afternoon Tea Time =-.
I love Robert Frost! You made an EXCELLENT point when you said, understanding the stories and experiences behind the quotes adds more power and meaning to them!
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..‘Doing Things Differently™’ – My Week In Review [Part Eight] =-.
How touching, but not unexpected, that one of our most elegant poets had to endure so many trials.
.-= feefifoto´s last blog ..For My Good Friend Jay: =-.
Great point. Context of quote puts things in perspective. A second point I’m getting here is that if we keep an open mind by understanding the context of a thought or action, then it makes all the more sense. Thanks.
@ Tracy, indeed, it is fascinating and humbling.
@ Jude, it is sad to see some people thus ending their lives and you are right, life goes on even without them.
@ VanillaSeven, indeed, Robert Lee Frost was indeed an inspiration. And I do hope that others can draw strength from his story.
@ Meleah, thank you.
@ Feefifoto, the trials he had been through and yet to have the strength to put it into words that inspire others is truly admirable.
@ Belinda, I agree with you about keeping an open mind by understanding the context of a thought or action and we will also be less judgmental. Thank you for bringing in this wonderful point.
This is a great quote. I have always loved the simplicity of the lesson in this quote. Adding the back story to the quote makes it even more powerful, thanks for sharing.
.-= Mark´s last blog ..Motivated By Fear or By Love? =-.
Sometimes I really hate that it won’t at least pause for a bit. Sometimes you just need things wait until you can catch your breath.
.-= lisaschaos´s last blog ..Which road do you choose? =-.
You’re welcome! 🙂
.-= meleah rebeccah´s last blog ..‘Doing Things Differently™’ – My Week In Review [Part Eight] =-.
@ Mark, you are right, reading the back story makes the quote even more powerful.
@ Lisa, yes, I agree with you that we shouldn’t just rush rush rush; we should slow down and breathe and smell the roses.
@ Meleah, 🙂
So much of what we think we know is just surface stuff. Once you dig deeper then true understanding awaits.
The key is, “Knowing what we don’t know.” Or maybe, “Knowing that we don’t know.” That might be better suited.
Robert Frost’s life was quite a struggle!!
.-= One of The Guys´s last blog ..Moves that paralyze =-.
Hi BK,
Recently (3 months ago) at my cousin’s funeral, her brother looked at me with a very sad face and said “Yeah, life goes on.” I knew what he meant as he had just lost his mom the year before and he had undergone some major trauma recently too. Those words while hopeful are just sad to me (personally) at the same time.
They remind me of that emptiness that happens after someone you love dies. It’s so weird to imagine life without the people that we love. But it’s a truth that we must all come to face and deal with.
I prefer to focus on the lessons and the happy memories from those that are now gone. Yes those are the things that make me happy.
This is a deep post.
Blessings ?,
Eren
.-= Eren Mckay´s last blog ..Easter Bunny Online Games for Kids to Play =-.
@ One of the Guys, indeed. His life was quite a struggle.
@ Eren, I agree with you. Those words can actually be sad. A feeling of ‘can’t help it’ and yet at the same time help us to shift the focus back to moving on and letting go.
Like the others, I also appreciate the story behind the quote. Life does, in fact, go on. Even when it feels like it shouldn’t 😉
.-= Brooke´s last blog ..How Not To Memorialize Me =-.
@ Brooke, yes, sometimes 🙂
Hey, this is Rajib. I just stumbled upon your blog and found quite interesting stuffs out here. I feel as if I will have to turn to your blog for good inspiration ! And, regarding this post particularly, I can feel the depth of the words “life goes on” as Robert Frost has said and it’s only because of the background story of his life that you have narrated here. It’s strange that some great creativities have come out from these persons who had to face such serious trials and tribulations in life. Think of John Keats as well, for another example. However, I think spirituality can be a solution in these hard times through which you acquire good mental strength to face hardships and troubles boldly. What do you think ?
.-= Love Quotes & Sayings´s last blog ..Last seven words of Jesus Christ =-.
@ Rajib, I agree with you. Some people will go through serious trials and tribulations in life and become strong mentally. There will also be some who would break under such hardships and troubles.
This is great!
One of the biggest problems people have is not knowing that they don’t know. Thus they have an expert’s mind set. I don’t always look at things from a beginner’s view point but I should.
I like the way you told this story.
.-= One of The Guys´s last blog ..Spring Cleaning for the Soul =-.
Thanks again for an uplifting post. I was an English Major but still didn’t know the sorrow in Frost’s life. It did make his quote all the more poignant. Thank you!
.-= Cathy Voisard´s last blog ..Pickle Nose =-.
@ Cathy, thank you. I didn’t know about the sorrow in his life too. Knowing it certainly makes his quote all the more poignant.
You’re so right with this one. If we could only remember that life goes on, we’d let go of hurt and suffering so much easier.
@ Ben, yes, realisation is easy … the challenge is executing what we realise.