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1 " I had begun to realise how much I'd adapted to Keith's needs and preferences. Just small stuff: what time we went to bed, which side I slept on, not cooking cauliflower. Allowances and adaptions anyone in a long-term relationship has to make, accumulating over time. But I wasn't in a relationship anymore. I wanted to know what of myself needed to be reclaimed. "
― Graeme Simsion , Two Steps Forward
2 " I had no idea what they sang. I guessed it was all in Latin, but some words could have been French. I didn't need to understand the words to have them touch me. I don't know whether it was the acoustics, the song, the beauty of the singing or the conviction behind it, but there was grandeur and hope in every note. The frescos flickered in candlelight and stained-glass men looked down upon me benevolently as the monks' singing brought pieces of me apart. Maybe this was why I had come, why I was meant to be here. I saw tears running down Fabiana's cheeks. Brother Rocher asked in French and English for those wishing to be blessed to come forward. I sat and watched the three Brazilians and half a dozen others move forward in turn. There was a final chant and everyone filed out. Except me.Centuries of singing, service to others and dedication to something bigger than twenty-first-century materialism had created a peace that permeated the walls. Whatever issues I had with religion were not relevant here. The stillness and austerity gave me a strange sense of comfort, and I seemed to be moving toward some sort of clarity. "
3 " Look," I said, "there are plenty of people in the world who believe our destiny is in the hands of some old white guy sitting above us dealing out rewards and punishment like...some old white guy. What I believe makes more sense than that. Some things are meant to be. Fate, destiny, karma-whatever you want to call it. The universe has plans- we just aren't smart enough to know how it works. "
4 " The path is not a straight line but every step takes you closer, "
5 " Don’t give advice unless it’s asked for; assume self-interest until proven otherwise. "
6 " Some things are meant to be... The Universe has plans -- we just aren't smart enough to know how it works. "
7 " The path is not a straight line but every step takes you closer,’ I said. Wisdom all the way from Fresno, California. "
8 " If there’s something you learn as you get older, it’s that most of your problems are of your own making. "
9 " When we get stuck, sometimes, instead of pushing at the problem, we need to look inward and question the things we believe, the stuff that might be blocking us. "
10 " I learned that it is important to know not only what to hold on to and what to let go of, but what to go back for. "
11 " Tough thing, to forgive someone when they’re in the wrong.’ She laughed. ‘That’s what forgiveness is. "
