two greats

imagine one day struck out of your life,
and think how different its course would have been.
pause you who read this, and think for a moment of the long chair of iron or gold,
of thorns and flowers,
that would never have bound you,
but for the formation of the first link on one memorable day.

--charles dickens

There is a vitality, a life force, an energy,
a quickening that is translated through you into action,
and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique.
And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable
nor how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
to keep the channel open.

--martha graham

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