Beautiful Sayings From Around the World
Have you ever heard a quote that just made sense? One that you could feel deep in your heart and guides you through the difficult days? Me too. The sayings we hear or live by are often times deeply rooted in culture, whether it’s our own or not. They are sayings passed down through generations, reflecting values, lifestyles, and customs. Some of the most beautiful, yet simple proverbs can be found all over the world. Not only do we see other ways of life when we travel, but we learn the values that guide others through their day to day.
I challenge you on every trip you take to discover a saying that is rooted in their culture. Learn it in their language. Keep it with you forever, ready to pull out when you need the extra strength, joy, laugh, or cry.
Keep reading to discover a few of the most beautiful, and necessary sayings we all need in our lives!
The sweetness of doing nothing- Italy
Il dulce far niente. The sweetness of doing nothing. Perhaps you have watched Eat Pray Love and now this rings a bell. But it is also a common saying throughout Italy that guides the lives of many Italians. It means to appreciate the beauty in simplicity. To not overcomplicate things. To slow down, and simply just enjoy being. When is the last time you did that? And no, I don’t mean sitting on the sofa on your phone. To Italians, doing nothing is something deserved. That they don’t need to work as hard as possible in order to earn a break. It is something built into their life. When you walk the streets of Italy, you can see this reflected in the way people move about their day. No rushes, no stress- just taking a break when needed, and loving every minute of it. If you ask me, I could really use some more of this saying in my life.
Fall seven times, stand up eight- Japan
In Japan, it is known to keep on trying, and never give up. It normalizes failing, and starting again. It engrains perseverance into people as they go about their lives. How many times have you failed, and just wanted to throw in the towel? I think we have all been there one time or another. But the thing is, what if we never gave up? What if we wanted something so badly that every time we fell, we came back even stronger? What if our 8th try completely changed our lives?
The tree with most leaves will not necessarily produce juicy fruit- Brazil
What you see is not always what you get. Have you ever seen an orange, all bruised and ugly form the outside? The kind that you almost throw away because there is no way it could still be good? Well, think again. As you peel away the skin, you realize that this orange is in fact the juiciest, and most delicious orange you have had in your life. Imagine if you had thrown it away!
The same goes for anything in life. Keep an open mind, and don’t judge a book by it’s cover. Be open to new experiences and going off the beaten track. This Brazilian proverb teaches us to see beauty in everything, even the unexpected. At the same time, we shouldn’t assume that something covered in glitter will bring us happiness either.
Those who wish to sing always find a song- Sweden
Gratitude. This Swedish proverb summarizes the necessity to be grateful for the things we have in our lives, to see things from a positive perspective, to be optimistic, and seek out the experiences we desire. If you want to do something, and you truly believe it will come true, you will find the path to do it. Chase positive and happy experiences, and while you’re at it, share that positivity with those around you. Life is what we make of it, so don’t even think about wasting a second of it.
If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing- Zimbabwe
You don’t have to be a professional to sing or dance. According to this Zimbabwe saying, it’s rooted in all of us. In other words, we don’t always have to be perfect at everything we do. We only have to do it, and have fun in the process. So sing and dance as boldly as you can, no one is judging!
Why wait?
The world is an incredible place, and traveling fulfills me in a way I can’t describe. From the people, to the music, the food, clothes, and the views, I leave every trip feeling inspired and in awe of how simple, yet fascinating seeing a new place can be. I deeply cherish the conversations I have with locals along the way, trying to learn as much as I can. Some of my simplest habits have come from things I have learned traveling, and I wouldn’t give those up for anything.
I invite you to join us on a Mystery Trip, to open your eyes and put yourself in the shoes of other people and cultures. To immerse yourself in every moment and try living through some of their expressions. And then, when the trip is over, I’ll be right there to help you sign up for the next.