Author Archives: Laura Dobson

“As dogs, cats, horses, and probably all the higher animals, even birds, as is stated on good authority, have vivid dreams, and this is shewn by their movements and voice, we must admit that they possess some power of imagination… Few persons any longer dispute that animals possess some power of reasoning. Animals may constantlyContinue reading “Thought for the day, Wednesday 12th February”

International Day of Women and Girls in Science “Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity.” Mae Jemison, physicist and astronaut

“I was afraid of being rejectedUntil I learned to never reject myselfI was afraid of being abandonedUntil I learned to never abandon myselfI was afraid of the opinions of othersUntil I learned that they held no more weight than my ownI was afraid of painful endingsUntil I realised that they were also new beginningsI wasContinue reading “Thought for the day, Monday 10th February”

“The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” Alice Walker, writer and activist, born on this day in 1944 Image: Alice Walker speaking at End the Wars Spring Action, Oakland, 2018

“Oh when, when, when will we ever have enoughof whining and defining? Haven’t championsin the weaving of words been here already?Why keep on trying? Are not people perpetually, over and over and over again,assaulted by books as by buzzing alarms?When, between two books, the quieting sky appears,or merely a patch of earth at evening –rejoiceContinue reading “Thought for the day, Saturday 8th February”

“No one is useless in this world.. who lightens the burden of it for any one else.” From Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870), born on this day

Sámi National Day “Think of me every dayTell those southerners about meTell them how they’re breaking me downbit by bitpiece by pieceTell them about the folk up hereabout how we liveabout our struggle, hands chilled and souls on fireTell them about the workers and the pitthe half-year’s darkness, the drink that ensnaresTell them we sometimesContinue reading “Thought for the day, Thursday 6th February”

“The journey of a thousand leagues begins with a single step. So we must never neglect any work of peace within our reach, however small.” Adlai Stevenson II (1900 – 1965), US diplomat and Unitarian, born on this day

International Day of Human Fraternity “I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear; knowing what must be done does away with fear… I learned to put my trust in God and to seek Him as my strength… God has always given me the strength to say whatContinue reading “Thought for the day, Tuesday 4th February”

“My hope rises when I find that the inner heart of a human being may remain pure, notwithstanding some corruption of the outer coverings.” Elizabeth Blackwell (1821 – 1910), first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States and first woman on the UK Medical Register, born on this day