Tag Archives: spirit

Musings of a Movie Star

I woke up this morning wondering what it would be like if the world had no mirrors. Yes, that’s right, none at all, so that we never saw the reflections of our own faces. We’d have to focus on the merits of our internal landscape much more, yes?

I also have wondered (many times) how different the world would be if the first department in the women’s section of a department store were not cosmetics. This would probably apply to men too, if as much emphasis were put on their beauty as their building of empires.

Physical beauty is a product of nature, and its measuring stick is still too often based on the subjective opinion of a culture or society. Norma Jean was born with the sort of good looks that society craved at the time. The world at large bought into Hollywood’s manipulation of Norma Jean into Marilyn Monroe, imagining they were the same. They were not.

The woman hidden beneath the glamorous facade was crying to be seen for her inner self, trapped by her own drive for success, and Hollywood’s desire to profit from it.

And I wonder, even though we’re slowly getting smarter about all of this, how much are we still buying into society’s definition of who we should be? What do you think?


“If they tell you that she died of sleeping pills you must know that she died of a wasting grief, of a slow bleeding at the soul.” ~ Clifford Odets


Marilyn Monroe quotes:

“The true things rarely get into circulation. It’s usually the false things.”

“It was more fun dreaming about being a movie star than actually being one.”

“Hollywood is a place where they’ll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss and fifty cents for your soul.”

“I’m for the individual as opposed to the corporation. The way it is the individual is the underdog, and with all the things a corporation has going for them the individual comes out banged on her head. The artist is nothing. It’s really tragic.”

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”

“All we demanded was our right to twinkle.”


Susan L Hart 2023 / HartInspirations.com

Nothing Is Free

Work is just one way we find meaning in life. Perhaps some find no meaning in work at all, hence the faction of society who hope or expect things will show up for free.

This mentality, if it takes over, can lead to the downfall of a society. Everything is an exchange of energy. Someone has to do the work for things to be produced. If we all decided everything should be for free, where would society be?

I suppose with the advent of AI, we could in future all stay home and play video games all day long, and let the robots do the work. Then we’re not talking about the downfall of society, but rather a complete waste of human potential.

“I want it for free” is such a losing proposition…

Vision, aspirations, and the work required are important, most particularly to the growth of our souls. Robots will never really replace us, at least not the ones who understand this.


“Without ambition one starts nothing. Without work one finishes nothing. The prize will not be sent to you. You have to win it.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The minute you get away from fundamentals – whether its proper technique, work ethic or mental preparation – the bottom can fall out of your game, your schoolwork, your job, whatever you’re doing.” ~ Michael Jordan

“A man is worked upon by what he works on. He may carve out his circumstances, but his circumstances will carve him out as well.” ~ Frederick Douglass


Susan L Hart 2023 / HartInspirations.com

Embrace Your Bigness

We live in a world where there are those who would do anything to make us believe we are small, our potential limited. Nothing could be further from the truth.

You are big.
You are part of everything.
Your potential is infinite.
Or, as Rumi so poetically put it,
“You are the universe in ecstatic motion.”


Inspirational Quotes:

“Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself.” ~ Roy T. Bennett

“Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.” ~ William Faulkner

“You were born with potential. You were born with goodness and trust. You were born with ideals and dreams. You were born with greatness. You were born with wings. You are not meant for crawling, so don’t. You have wings. Learn to use them and fly.” ~ Rumi

“If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is – infinite.” ~ William Blake


Susan L Hart 2023 / HartInspirations.com

Undeniably Connected

When we really tune into nature, we hook into the divine energy (whatever we each believe that to be) that breathes in all living things. We feel connected. Our souls transcend the mundane and we remember our infinite essence.

The divine is evident in the tiny dragonfly, but sometimes it takes a mighty mountain to awaken our souls. When we gaze upward at that magnificent rock face, we feel small and big, all at the same time.

The sublime grandeur within and without is undeniable. If such a thing exists in the world, then surely anything must be possible. And yes, it is.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”                     (Henry David Thoreau)


Susan L Hart 2023 / HartInspirations.com

Wishing You Joy & Light

The Christmas season is here, and with it a myriad of memories, feelings, and images. The events of the past few years have magnified the importance of the people in our lives, and also our connection to our greater humanity. When I think of words that are most evocative of Christmas for me, JOY tops the list.

There is definitely a heightened feeling of love and goodwill at this time of year. It gives me joy to see people take a little rest from the regular routines, worries, and burdens of every day life. There are not nearly enough celebrations in our lives, and particularly lately. Life is something we should be enjoying too, not constantly “slaving at”.

I think of joy is a life keyword, an evaluator of the world around me. I’m feeling that if our world was better balanced and society fairer, we’d be seeing a lot more joy on an every day basis.

This is something for all of us to contemplate for the new year 2023 just ahead. How will we claim and live our joy? And not just our joy, but all of the positive aspects of life that we deserve. These are our lives, and all the moments in them are precious.

I realize that some people reading this may not celebrate Christmas. Take a moment to think of your own culture’s sacred traditions and celebrations. What one word is evocative of how you feel as you share those celebrations with family and friends?

I send you sincere best wishes for all the JOY your heart can hold. As you gather the people that you love around you, may your days be filled with a blaze of Light.


Susan L Hart 2022 / HartInspirations.com