Favorite Inspirational Quotes

from “Sonnets from the Portuguese”

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With the lost saints - I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears of all my life! - and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

What a passionate and all-encompassing love she had for her husband! The story of their love as related by Dyer makes fascinating reading. I would suggest learning more of this story.

She loved him not just for the big things like loving beyond death and loving because of the cause of freedom she was involved in. But also the quiet love found in small things day and night. She loved not only through the good times (smiles) but also through the bad times (tears). These are the things that make up a marriage that lasts.

Sometimes it seems much easier to find fault with our loved ones: the toilet seat left up, the whiskers all over the bathroom sink, or some other minor irritant. How much better to concentrate instead on all the good qualities and therefore to attract more of them.

So count the ways you love your loved ones.