Scenes of Endless Sunshine

I am re-reading The Diary of Anne Frank with one of my students, and it is infinitely better this time round!  She really is like a little Barbery!  Or at least reading her journal has the same effect on my soul.  :)  

Here are some of my fave excerpts from today - too beautiful to not share!

"While others display their heroism in battle or against the Germans, our helpers prove theirs every day by their good spirits and affection." - p. 178

       "The best remedy for those who are frightened, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere they can be alone, alone with the sky, nature and God.  For then and only then can you feel everything is as it should be and that God wants people to be happy amid nature's beauty and simplicity.
As long as this exists, and that should be for ever, I know that there will be solace for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances." - p. 197

"This morning, when I was sitting in front of the window and taking a long, deep look outside at God and nature, I was happy, just plain happy.  As long as people feel that kind of happiness within themselves, the joy of nature, health, and much more besides, they'll always be able to recapture that happiness.
Riches, prestige, everything can be lost.  But the happiness in your own heart can only be dimmed; it will always be there, as long as you live, to make you happy again.
Whenever you're feeling lonely or sad, try going to the loft on a beautiful day and looking outside.  Not at the houses and the rooftops, but at the sky.  As long as you can look fearlessly at the sky, you'll know that you're pure within and will find happiness once more." - p. 198

"Her advice in the face of melancholy is 'Think about all the suffering in the world and be thankful you're not a part of it.' My advice is: 'Go outside, to the country, enjoy the sun and all nature has to offer.  Go outside and try to recapture the happiness within yourself; think of all the beauty in yourself and in everything around you and be happy.'
I don't think her advice can be right, because what are you supposed to do if you become part of the suffering?  you'd be completely lost.  On the contrary, beauty remains, even in misfortune.  If you just look for it, you discover more and more happiness and regain your balance." - p. 211

What a legend.