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Themistocles Quote Glam Art Print
And here it is, the final art print in my series based on the epigraphs from Destined! This quote was from Book 6 – Cursed: Briar Rose’s Story, my Sleeping Beauty retelling.
You can read the full story of Themistocles in Plutarch’s Lives on Project Gutenberg. Here’s my short and sweet summary: Themistocles was arguing that the Greek army should not flee but stay, and his opponent, the admiral of the navy, was so annoyed that he lifted his staff to strike him. Themistocles uttered the famous words, “Strike, if you will, but listen,” and his opponent was so surprised he actually did listen.
I chose this quote for the epigraph of Cursed because I felt like Bri was a kindred spirit of Themistocles – someone who is unafraid to suffer for her convictions, and who can even make those around her stronger with her own unwavering strength and courage.
Why not print it out and put it up somewhere you need a reminder to stand firm in the face of opposition? May we all be willing to suffer for our convictions, and may we hold good and true convictions worth suffering for.
Click the image below to download a high res, print-ready PDF file:
Modern poster mockup by Anthony Boyd Graphics
Protected: Stolen: Chloe’s Story Chapter 10
Protected: Stolen: Chloe’s Story Chapter 9
Seneca Quote Glam Art Print
Continuing my series of art print downloads based on the epigraphs in the Destined series, this quote is from Book 5 – Hunted: Alba’s Story, a Snow White retelling.
“No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself.” – Seneca
This one feels VERY appropriate as we close out 2020, doesn’t it? Yes, I think we would all appreciate fewer opportunities to prove ourselves, thanks, 2020. At least space them out a bit… 🙃
But if you’re in a mood to get deep with me for a minute, I have some additional thoughts:
The fear of adversity can take us to a dark and lonely place.
The desire for control smothers relationships. The desire for ease keeps us from taking risks that could bring far greater richness to our lives than comfort and ease ever will. It may sound crazy, but I believe fear of suffering can actually lead to greater suffering. The further I continue down the path of self-preservation-at-all-costs, the more likely I am to lose myself.
To live a full life, we must take serious risks, which means eventually we will probably experience real failure and suffering.
We fall in love.
We start something new that might fail.
We serve others in a way that could jeopardize our health and wellbeing. (Looking at you, pregnancy and childbirth…)
And we do it all willingly, not because we are totally fearless, not because we enjoy suffering, but because our love for what might be gained outweighs our fears.
In Hunted, my Snow White character Alba has spent years watching her dad go off and do dangerous things for his job, and now as an adult, she longs for nothing more than safety, security, and love. As a military spouse, I can relate!
But, as Alba eventually discovers, the best things in life require willingness to get your heart broken. Not because we fear bad things less, but because our love for what is good, beautiful, and true is greater than our fear of the price we might pay to obtain them.
And on that note, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
PS. Click the image below to download a high-res, print-ready PDF:
