"Remember to be gentle with yourself and others. We are all children of chance and none can say why some fields will blossom while others lay brown beneath the August sun"
- Kent Nerburn
About this Quote
Kent Nerburn's quote invites us to embrace compassion, humbleness, and approval of life's inherent unpredictability. The opening statement, "Remember to be gentle with yourself and others", highlights the significance of generosity and understanding in our interactions with both ourselves and those around us. It motivates a nurturing technique to personal failures and the shortcomings of others, which promotes an encouraging and empathetic environment.
The expression "We are all kids of chance" underscores the randomness and unpredictability of life, recommending that much of our presence is governed by components beyond our control. This point of view can cultivate humility, as it reminds us that fortunes and misfortunes can be as approximate as a roll of the dice. It prompts us to approach life's events with an acknowledgment of our shared vulnerability, motivating empathy and the cessation of judgment towards those whose courses diverge from our expectations.
Nerburn continues with the imagery of fields that may either "bloom" or "ordinary brown below the August sun". This metaphor shows the concept that various aspects of life will thrive or fail regardless of effort or intent. Simply as nature runs on its own schedule, so too do our personal journeys, affected by myriad aspects consisting of chance, circumstance, and happenstance. The reference to August, typically a time of extreme heat and drought, highlights the severe conditions that can affect growth-- both literal and metaphorical.
In conclusion, Nerburn's words urge us to embody gentleness and grace in browsing life's unpredictability. By acknowledging that we are all based on the whims of chance, we can promote a sense of solidarity and empathy, accepting that injustices are not always reflective of individual merit or failure. His message is one of hope and understanding, reminding us to value the charm of blooming fields while holding area for those presently enduring their August sun.
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