The other day a special friend whispered this quote to me: 'Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.' I was wondering if anyone had any clue on who said it. Thank you!
[This message was edited by thenostromo on 01-31-02 at 07:56 PM.]
MOMENTS THAT TAKE OUR BREATH AWAY I had a very special teacher in high school many years ago whose husband unexpectedly and suddenly died of a heart attack. About a week after his death, she shared some of her insight with a classroom of students. As the late afternoon sunlight came streaming in through the classroom windows and the class was nearly over, she moved a few things aside on the edge of her desk and sat down there. With a gentle look of reflection on her face, she paused and said, "Before class is over, I would like to share with all of you a thought that is unrelated to class, but which I feel is very important. Each of us is put here on earth to learn, share, love, appreciate and give of ourselves. None of us knows when this fantastic experience will end. It can be taken away at any moment. Perhaps this is the powers that be way of telling us that we must make the most out of every single day." Her eyes beginning to water, she went on, "So I would like you all to make me a promise. From now on, on your way to school, or on your way home, find something beautiful to notice. It doesn't have to be something you see it could be a scent - perhaps of freshly baked bread wafting out of someone's house, or it could be the sound of the breeze slightly rustling the leaves in the trees, or the way the morning light catches the autumn leaf as it falls gently to the ground. Please look for these things, and cherish them. For, although it may sound trite to some, these things are the "stuff" of life. The little things we are put here on earth to enjoy. The things we often take for granted. We must make it important to notice them, for at any time...it can all be taken away." The class was completely quiet. We all picked up our books and filed out of the room silently. That afternoon, I noticed more things on my way home from school than I had that whole semester. Every once in a while, I think of that teacher and remember what an impression she made on all of us, and I try to appreciate all of those things that sometimes we all overlook. Take notice of something special you see on your lunch hour today. Go barefoot. Or walk on the beach at sunset. Stop off on the way home tonight to get a double-dip ice cream cone. For as we get older, it is not the things we did that we often regret, but the things we didn't do. Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. http://www.cooleyville.com/cancer/camomen.htm http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~anewton/Good_news_May01.htm ~The Teacher~
I may be able to help in this case. The original quote was “Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by every moment that takes your breath away.” It was then changed by the Author to be “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” I have always preferd the former and have quoted it often. I am see it quoted so often it appears in print and in film. Of the quotes origin I am aware that it was first published in the mid 90’s at the Robert Luis Stevenson High School (RLS). A teacher at the lower Middle school requested of the author if the quote could be used. The author consented but requested he remain anonymous. I believe she knows who the author is and the circumstances of its creation. I have suspected, however, that she may have actually written it but there is no evidence of that. I hope this helps.
Posts: 4 | Location: Carmel, CA | Registered: 06-17-07
I came across this quote a few months ago while searching for a wedding gift. I thought, how true, and how perfect. I lost my husband at a young age in an accident less than a year ago. He was the light of my life. When I saw this quote on a sign, it was the ultimate gift!
Posts: 1 | Location: port st lucie, FL | Registered: 10-05-07
