wisdom from the classics: anne of green gables

illustration by Anna Bond I couldn't think of a better book to profile this month than Anne of Green Gables. This book is so near and dear to my heart, I almost feel as if Anne (with an "e") is a real person. The very best bosom friend. It's one of those books that I cannot wait to share with Birdie one day soon. So without further ado: “I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” “It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.” “Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.” “Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.” “Life is worth living as long as there's a laugh in it.” “After all," Anne had said to Marilla once, "I believe the nicest and sweetest days are not those on which anything very splendid or wonderful or exciting happens but just those that bring simple little pleasures, following one another softly, like pearls slipping off a string.” “Oh, it's delightful to have ambitions. I'm so glad I have such a lot. And there never seems to be any end to them-- that's the best of it. Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.” “Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer.” “Isn't it splendid to think of all the things there are to find out about? It just makes me feel glad to be alive--it's such an interesting world. It wouldn't be half so interesting if we know all about everything, would it? There'd be no scope for imagination then, would there? “It was November--the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul.” “Some people go through life trying to find out what the world holds for them only to find out too late that it's what they bring to the world that really counts.” “When I left Queen's my future seemed to stretch out before me like a straight road. I thought I could see along it for many a milestone. Now there is a bend in it. I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does.” “I've done my best, and I begin to understand what is meant by 'the joy of strife'. Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.” L. M. Montgomery