Like many other #bloganuary participants, I’ve struggled to connect with these daily prompts. But since I joined to connect with other bloggers, I’m getting on the dance floor when I like the song. 💃🏽

What is your favorite quote and why?

“The voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but new eyes.” — Marcel Proust

Fell in love with this one in college, memorized it, and have been trying to live it ever since.

If you could, what year would you time travel to and why?

I’ve always answered this question with the future, and I can’t help but think of the 1969 hit song “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans.

What book is next on your reading list?

At the end of December, I started reading Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, and have been obsessed with the series ever since. I’m on book three, King’s Cage.

[And if you like reading roundups, here’s a quick list for 2021 from my newsletter.]

More addicting than I expected…

Write about something mysterious.

Nahhh. I’ve had enough of the unknown lately.

What is your favorite photo you’ve ever taken?

balloon seller in Chiang Mai
I like this one. Is it my favorite? No. But it’s one of the good ones I’ve taken in Thailand. [Chiang Mai, 2013]
We were at the Incapirca ruins for the summer solstice. [Ecuador, 2010]
This was a mistake. A water drop on the lens. [Angkor Wat, Cambodia, 2017]

What is a cause you’re passionate about and why?

After living in developing countries for over 11 years, I’ve become even more aware of the treatment of animals and the environment. I look forward to the day when we stop pretending animals don’t have feelings, and stop debating the words “climate change” and just clean up the f*cking planet.

What is a life lesson you feel everyone can benefit from learning?

It greatly depends on the time, person, and place. I certainly needed different lessons depending on where I was, my age, and circumstances. But if I had to choose, I’d go for compassion.

People are more politically polarized than ever, and we’ve gotten comfortable vilifying others. Related to this, I’d want everyone to benefit from learning to think critically and independently. We need it more than ever as the internet becomes more tailored to our proclivities, and tribes double down on us versus them.

What does your ideal day look like?

Right now, any day where I’m not at work. Free time in nature, walking, good food, spending time with friends and family, but mostly ideal days are at home in the company of my husband and me.

How would you answer these questions? What do you think?

20 replies on “What is your favorite quote? and other questions”

  1. You have some great answers, Lani.

    Here’s a quote I like. It’s the epigraph in Jamie Raskin’s new book, Unthinkable. “I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, there was, within me, an invincible summer.” –Albert Camus

    In the Year 2525 is pretty creepy.

    Love your photos.

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  2. The Proust quote is my favourite too, Lani.
    Am in furious agreement on compassion and fixing the f*cking planet too.
    I recently read my friend, Martha Kennedy’s book called “Martin of Gfenn”. That book was all about compassion.
    At one point I worked on climate change and industry transition policies and programs. I’m dismayed at Australian recidivism.

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    1. You know you’re the first who has said they also know this Proust quote — and I’ve been sharing this one for decades.

      Compassion is a pretty big deal. Let’s hope we get our act together sooner than later, xo

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  3. Hahaha I love how you’ve covered them all in one post and made the challenge even more fun.

    As much as I loved the discover prompts challenge, this one seems a little forced. 🙈

    Ohh you’d travel to the future? I’m super scared of how bad the future is going to be. I’ve always wanted to be the Mughal Emperor, Akbar – I don’t know why. So I’d love to travel to the era of his rule.

    Love the compassion message. The world can do with more kindness. ❤️

    How is 2022 treating you?

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    1. Hey, thanks. You know what? I happen to see the old Discover prompts and they were WAY better. More breathing room.

      I’m convinced that these bloganuary ones (and I hate that word) were given no thought, no effort was put in and that’s why so many are annoyed.

      I’m not familiar with Akbar, will need to do some research.

      2022 so far as been a ride, but I’m hoping for the best. What about you? xo

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      1. Well, I’m watching others, like you, participate. And responding. And I keep thinking one of the prompts will really resonate with me. Not yet anyway, but it’s still a nice idea!

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  7. I adore quotes! This is one of my all-time favourites:

    “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” ― Roald Dahl

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    1. That’s a great quote. Thank you.

      Yeah, I used to collect quotes and had a page of my favorites that I saved on a FB page somewhere…I guess it’s gone now, damn, but it was a curated list!

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  8. Pretty awesome quote you chose! Never heard it before. Will have to get back to this with some answers. 😉 Love your photo from Ecuador!! Totally agree about cleaning up – hate all this talk and no one’s actually doing stuff! Makes me crazy!

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      1. My pleasure, Lani! Still some posts from you that I haven’t read, will try so in the days – I’d have thought I’d be less busy now I’m done with my studies but nope. LOL!

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