Little over one month of classes, assignments and final projects separates me (and other December grads) from the cold, hard, adult world of post-grad reality, where everything accomplished in college becomes background to every adventure to come. In this high stakes climate where one door is closing to a portal so big and scary it’s bone-crushing, nostalgia comes easier than air. In passing down my top ten most influential quotes, lyrics and lines of poetry, I hope to bring comfort to those of you who have ever doubted your self-worth, intelligence or power to love. May these quotes bring you the peace they have brought me during these wonderful albeit challenging 3.5 years as a Hawkeye. P.S. #10 is a special shout-out to my Dad for believing in my ferocity even (and especially) when I did not!
10) Dan DeSousa, my Dad, on willpower:
9) Aibeleen Clark, “The Help,” on self worth:
8) Charles Bukowski, on life:
7) Shakespeare, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”:
6) Kurt Vonnegut, “Slaughterhouse-Five”:
5) Sylvia Plath, lines from “Lady Lazarus”:
4) Hundred Waters, “Show Me Love” (lyrics):
3) Albert Einstein, on imagination:
2) Watty Piper, “The Little Engine That Could”:
1) A. A. Milne, “Winnie the Pooh”: