Mary Oliver Quotes

It doesn't have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don't try to make them elaborate, this isn't a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.

What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare?

If you can just appreciate each thing, one by one, then you will have pure gratitude. Even though you observe just one flower, that one flower includes everything

The still small voice of gratitude.

Gratitude arises from paying attention, from being awake in the presence of everything that lives within and without us.

Gorgeous, amazing things come into our lives when we are paying attention: mangoes, grandnieces, Bach, ponds. This happens more often when we have as little expectation as possible. If you say, "Well, that's pretty much what I thought I'd see," you are in trouble. At that point you have to ask yourself why you are even here. [...] Astonishing material and revelation appear in our lives all the time. Let it be. Unto us, so much is given. We just have to be open for business.

Sometimes I need only to stand wherever I am to be blessed.

I have a real problem with stillness. With just stopping and being quiet.

One of the best things to do sometimes is simply to be.

At the entrance, my bare feet on the dirt floor, Here, gusts of heat; at my back, white clouds. I stare and stare. It seems I was called for this: To glorify things just because they are.

The willingness and ability to live fully in the now eludes many people. While eating your appetizer, don't be concerned with dessert.

Enjoy the moment and appreciate what you have.

At some point in life the world's beauty becomes enough. You don't need to photograph, paint or even remember it. It is enough.

Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe.

I learned to hear silence. That's the kind of life I lived: simple. I learned to see things in people around me, in my mom, dad, brothers and sisters.

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude.

I don't want to go anywhere; I don't want to leave anybody behind. Happiness is right here, right now, in this world, in this room. I am happiest wherever it is that I am.

Well, that's what life is - this collection of extraordinarily ordinary moments. We just need to pay attention to them all. Wake up and pay attention to how beautiful it all is.

There are so many surprises in my life; I don't take anything for granted. I enjoy every experience that comes; I don't think too far ahead.

Don't let anything sneak past you. Don't say, 'Well, oh, I'll take a picture and put it in my photograph album.' I notice it now. I love it now. And I am grateful for it now.

I've just learned to enjoy every moment for what it is and take it all in.

Give whatever you are doing and whoever you are with the gift of your attention.

When I wake up in the morning, I like to express my gratitude for being on the planet. That gratefulness makes me very present.

The Rock taught me you don't always have to talk or move all the time. You can just stand there and soak it in. Let the crowd just do what they do.

I really know what it's like to work and live every moment now, and I'm really grateful for that.