By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Mary Oliver (1935-2019) was an avid observer: Her work often centers the natural world in all its minute, astounding details. Her meditations on everything from a bird's plumage to the color of oysters are undeniably grounded in the present, free of anxiety about the future. “Attention is the beginning of devotion,” she wrote in her essay "Teach The Children." Oliver’s contemplation of nature’s small wonders reminds us that the simplest things have the power to change us in the deepest ways. In paying attention to our surroundings, we can invite in joy and avoid letting our negative thoughts spiral. She reminds us we have a choice: We can let the world delight us, rather than let it beat us down.
Our Top 23 Quotes of 2023
Advice From Our Favorite Children’s TV Characters
14 Quotes To Change How You Think About Love
12 Funny Quotes From the Women of ‘SNL’
Humor and Life Advice From the Mind of Mel Brooks
12 of the Funniest Quotes From Great Novels
13 Romantic Quotes From Beloved Period Pieces
Leonardo da Vinci’s Advice for a Fulfilling Life
How Crafting Can Transform Your Life, in Quotes
20 Surprisingly Insightful Quotes From Children’s Movies
Quotes About Why Foolishness Can Be a Virtue