Many of us keep our favorite sayings, quotes or wise thoughts in one place, be it a book or file , something we can easily find when in need of comfort or inspiration. Leo Tolstoy kept a collection of daily thoughts selected from the world’s sacred texts during his time, from late 1880s to early 1900s. Some of these texts were banned. Tolstoy collected and printed them in book form as “A Calendar of Wisdom”. This was his last published work, and censored for nearly a century, yet for him he saw these 365 pages as daily thoughts to nourish the soul.

British author Matt Haig in 2021 published what he calls The Comfort Book, made up of notes, proverbs and stories as his way to find wisdom and comfort during tough times. Below is from Matt on page 76, titled “Growth”, which seems in keeping with our aging deliciously theme and maybe a comfort for the times we find ourselves.

“We grow through hard times. Growth is change. And when everything is easy, we have no reason to change. The most painful moments in life expand us. And when the pain leaves, space remains. Space we can fill with life itself. “

When something rings true for us it can feel like wise comfort and hope. Books and words can be mentors to be kept near, and returned to often.