Sarah Aronson's Blog, page 5

Presidential Quote #14: John Quincy Adams

When I realized that my main character, Ari Fish, loved the presidents and was inspired by them, I spent a lot of time reading speeches and quotes by our country’s leaders. Since then, I have thought a lot about leadership–and talked to a lot of kids about it, too. Right now, we are encouraged to pursue leadership as a way of self-validation. Promotions come with leadership. But not everyone needs to be a leader to be a great human being.

What makes a great leader?

What do we look for in our leaders?

How can we pay it forward every day?

#OneADay (almost) #UntilElectionDay

Want to talk about Presidents minus the politics? Check out my book, Beyond Lucky! 

Presidential Quote #13: John F Kennedy

In 1960, Richard Nixon and John Kennedy participated in the first general presidential debates.

So today, let’s quote John F Kennedy! So many good ones:

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. 

Or this, from the 1960 debate:

I want us to recapture that image. I want people in Latin America and Africa and Asia to start to look to America; to see how we’re doing things; to wonder what the resident of the United States is doing; and not to look at Khrushchev, or look at the Chinese Communists. That is the obligation upon our generation. In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt said in his inaugural that this generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny. I think our generation of Americans has the same rendezvous. The question now is: Can freedom be maintained under the most severe tack – attack it has ever known? I think it can be. And I think in the final analysis it depends upon what we do here. I think it’s time America started moving again. (For the whole 1960 debate transcript, go HERE. Look for the moment where Nixon has nothing to add!)

And of course:

My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. 

Or maybe my favorite:

Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other. 

(Family brag: he wrote a letter to my grandfather. I have it framed!!)

In every election, we have a great opportunity to talk about the past and the future. This election has, at times, felt strange. Maybe more than ever before, there are ideas at stake–about inclusion. About respect. About what makes an American. Yesterday, I realized I should be calling these posts Presidents without Politics. Our presidents are not rulers. They represent us. They must be able to speak for us and about us with clarity.

#OneADay #GreatPresidents #PresidentsWithoutPolitics

Presidential Quote #12: Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter was the first President I voted for! He spoke often about the separation of Church and State. After last night’s news, I thought we could all use a glimmer of what we always expect from our Presidents: empathy. Soul. Inclusivity.

Human rights is the soul of our foreign policy, because human rights is the very soul of our sense of nationhood. 

Need a little more?

It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature’s gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever. 

The presidency is a great responsibility! Want to talk about the presidency without getting into politics? Read Beyond Lucky! Or let’s schedule a Skype visit!

#OneADay #UntilElectionDay

Presidential Quote #11: Harry S. Truman

I love this quote! I don’t think I need to explain why!

America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand. 

 

#OneADay #UntilElectionDay 

 

Presidential Quote #10: Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson is credited with saying:

I’m a Great Believer in Luck. The Harder I Work, the More Luck I Have

(Whether he said it or not, no arguing with that!!! It’s true!!!)

But today, let’s go to a more important reminder from our third President:

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. 

Also: everyone should see Hamilton!!!!! WOW WOW WOW!!! I’m going to be smiling all day!

#OneADay #UntilElectionDay

Presidential Quote #9: John Adams

In this campaign season, I am always reading about FACTS and their importance. (It’s funny–since when haven’t facts been important?) In any case, here are some wise words from John Adams.

Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. 

I also like this quote:

Old minds are like old horses; you must exercise them if you wish to keep them in working order. 

#OneADay #UntilElectionDay If you like the presidents like I like the presidents, check out my novel, Beyond Lucky! It’s a story about regular people being heroes…and heroes sometimes acting like regular people!

Presidential Quote #8: Richard Nixon

A few presidents have been quoted about TAXES, including Abraham Lincoln and Richard Nixon. Since I’m saving Lincoln for later, here’s what Nixon had to say:

“The President, when the IRS is concerned, I assure you, is just another citizen and even more so.”

But my favorite Nixon quote is this one. Like yesterday’s it speaks to effort and creativity as well as politics. It’s the kind of quote that really fueled the chapters of Beyond Lucky.

Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain. 

#OneADay #GreatPresidentialQuotes

Looking for Monday Motivation? Sign up for my newsletter on my website, under TIPS. 

Presidential Quote #7: Andrew Jackson

Sometimes the Presidents say very specific things about everyday people. Sometimes, they address them directly.

This one feels like writing advice. It feels right for Rosh Hashanah. It was also advice Ari needed in Beyond Lucky.

Take time to deliberate; but when the time for action arrives, stop thinking and go in. 

Do you have a favorite Presidential quote? Share it with me! I’d love to post it. 

Presidential Quote #6

Today’s quote comes from Woodrow Wilson.

You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand. 

 

#OneADay #UntilElectionDay

Presidential Quote #5: James Garfield

File under: Presidents can be funny.

Also file under: Did he say this or didn’t he? And: maybe the internet does not know everything!

(There is evidence to say: HE DID NOT.)

What he definitely said:

Do you have a favorite presidential quote? If so, send it to me! sarah.n.aronson@gmail.com. I would love to share it as we get closer to Election Day!