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Refusal to hope is nothing more than a decision to die.

Bernie Siegel

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Bernie Siegel
Age: 92
Born: 1932
Born: October 14
Motivational Speaker
Physician
Writer
Brooklyn
New York
Bernie Siegel
Bernard Siegel
Refusal
Decision
Dies
Hope
Nothing

More quotes by Bernie Siegel

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There's very little that shocks me because I consider life a miracle so I guess what shocks me is that life exists. How the hell did we get here? What shocks me is that bacteria alter their genes and resist antibiotics and viruses resist vaccines.
Bernie Siegel
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People have taught me what most doctors don't learn, in other words, when somebody does better than expected, the doctor will tell them they're doing very well and to keep it up. I learned to say, You didn't die when you were supposed to so what's going on?, and they always had a story to tell me.
Bernie Siegel
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Love and kindness are the basis of my religious beliefs. The rituals and outward signs are not as important as one's actions and deeds. Religion should be a path to God, not something to fight about.
Bernie Siegel
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Being a survivor doesn't mean being strong - it's telling people when you need a meal or a ride, company, whatever. It's paying attention to heart wisdom, feelings, not living a role, but having a unique, authentic life, having something to contribute, finding time to love and laugh. All these things are qualities of survivors.
Bernie Siegel
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I grew up caring about people and I would say again, that's what made me who I am. I became a doctor for what I like to call healthy reasons. Not because I'm fascinated by the human body or want to understand death, but I like people and I want to help them. That also became my problem, because I couldn't help everyone, I couldn't fix everyone
Bernie Siegel
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Several of our children have married outside my faith. Would I prefer they marry within their religion? Yes, because I know that marrying outside the family faith will very likely bring them more problems-but not from me. My job is to accept them and love them, not to criticize them and make their lives more difficult.
Bernie Siegel
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We are here to feel, wonder and gaze in awe at the world. Instead of just teaching our children how to use things and do things, I suggest we nourish their sense of wonder.
Bernie Siegel
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Having pets in the house helps everyone have a reverence for life.
Bernie Siegel
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When my body gets to the point where I can no longer function or feel gratitude, then I'll leave it and become grateful again. But until then, I will appreciate what I have and not whine about what I don't have. I will feel blessed by life and the opportunity to help others see that they are blessed, too.
Bernie Siegel
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By disregarding intuition in favor of science, or science in favor of instincts, we limit ourselves.
Bernie Siegel
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Do things to make your day precious.
Bernie Siegel
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The simple truth is that happy people generally don't get sick
Bernie Siegel
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Inspiration is the greatest gift because it opens your life to many new possibilities. Each day becomes more meaningful, and your life is enhanced when your actions are guided by what inspires you.
Bernie Siegel
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Hoping means seeing that the outcome you want is possible and then working for it.
Bernie Siegel
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If you see what you do each day as your way of loving the world and helping it heal, then life gets to be a lot different. The difference between burning up and burning out is the difference between loving what you are doing and not loving it.
Bernie Siegel
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Traditional doctors say I'm a mystic. I don't deny it.
Bernie Siegel
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Medicine is a very tough thing. I mean, everyone is going to die. Sooner or later. That's a tough thing to face.
Bernie Siegel
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We destroy ourselves when we stop feeling. If you bury your feelings within you, you become a graveyard.
Bernie Siegel
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God wants us to know that life is a series of beginnings not endings. Just as graduations are not terminations but commencements. Creation is an ongoing process and when we create a perfect world where love and compassion are shared by all suffering will cease.
Bernie Siegel
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God is in everyone and everything. When we save each other or guide each other or just love each other, we are doing God's work. So God dresses in Eskimo clothing or other disguises, and responds to us whether or not we are aware enough to hear, see, or feel God's loving guidance. Everything is a tool of God, from DNA to the weather.
Bernie Siegel