You will not arrest the reactionary momentum by ignoring it or dismissing it entirely as a function of bigotry or stupidity. You’ll only defuse it by appreciating its insights and co-opting its appeal. Reaction can be clarifying if it helps us better understand the huge challenges we now face. But reaction by itself cannot help us manage the world we live in today — which is the only place that matters. You start with where you are, not where you were or where you want to be. There are no utopias in the future or Gardens of Eden in our past. There is just now — in all its incoherent, groaning, volatile messiness. Our job, like everyone before us, is to keep our nerve and make the best of it.
quote by Andrew Sullivan
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Related quotes
Reaction To Action
(spoken: check 1, 1, 1)
Alright
Its hard getting through to me
Im truly elusive
I got my own point of view
I am the one of a kind
And I tell you lil girl
Im fascinated by you
Theres something about you
That makes all the difference
Like the night is to day
Well I can get along without you
But I know that within you
Youve got what Im missing
And Ill find a way
To get reaction to action
Hey, say the word that would thrill me
Yeah, I need reaction to action
Just one look that would kill me
You got a way of drawing attention to you
You know you stand out in a crowd
But the way that you play
With any mans affections
Should never be allowed
See I consider myself
The one who will show you
Id go as far as to say
Girl, I aint leaving here without you
But you better understand
Theres only one rule in this game were gonna play
And thats reaction to action
Maybe like a word that would thrill me
I need reaction to action
One look that would kill me
Give me reaction to action
Its getting late Id better make a definite move
Reaction to action
And after that baby, its up to you
I need reaction to action
Just a word that would thrill me
I need reaction to action
You know what Im talking about
Give me some reaction to action
You got a look, you got a way thatll kill me
Reaction to action, reaction to action, action
Baby, dont think about it, just react
Reaction to action
Reaction to action
Reaction to action
Reaction to action
Reaction to action
Reaction to action
song performed by by Foreigner
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Chain Reaction
Something bout the way
The moon and the stars are moving across the sky
Something in the still night air is telling me now is the time to try
Ive been scheming, dreaming up a plan of how to get to you
Now conditions are right deep in the night
To do what Ive got to do
To start up a chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Im no fool, Ill be cool
Its a powerful thing that Im trying to do
Gonna fix it up, mix it up good
Handle with care like I know I should
And blow it sky high, sky high
With a chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain, chain, chain reaction
Set a spark to the heart
That will start up the soul attraction
Get to the mystery of the chemistry
Chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain reaction
(repeat)
That fires up the satisfaction
Chain, chain reaction
Chain, chain reaction
song performed by by Wynonna Judd
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Why have we had to invent Eden, to live submerged in the nostalgia of a lost paradise, to make up utopias, propose a future for ourselves?
quote by Julio Cortazar
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Happening
Flames burn.
Water cycles.
Stars shine.
Wind blows.
Earth falls.
These are events.
Subtle reactions.
Chemical reactions.
Reaction, reaction, reaction.
This is a reaction.
You are a reaction.
Catalyst.
Action, interaction, reaction.
Reactant, reactor, event.
Occurring, never occurred.
No You, No I, No we.
Us, reacting together.
Distilling together,
Combining and purifying together,
Us.
Playing, acting, dancing, swimming,
loving, believing, longing, hating, sadding, madding, flying,
plying, vying, scrying, inviting, denying, trying, dying.
Being.
poem by Poet Dragon
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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I think the reaction to a World War II situation would be the same today as it was in 1942. Initially, people would question, but once patriotism got stirred up, the whole thing would gather momentum and we'd all pull together.
quote by Parker Stevenson
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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We like reactions - a reaction is walking out on us, a reaction is throwing tomatoes at the stage, that's a healthy psychological reaction.
quote by Alice Cooper
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Live Today
Live today not as yesterday, or as if there's no tomorow, but live today as today. Because yesterday was the past which you shall not dwell in, and tomorrow is the future which we have no control over. but live today as today, I say at this very moment. So we won't make the same mistakes we made yesterday, And that we won't let today or yesterday jeopardize our future. So I say live today as today, cause it is just another lesson learned. That we won't let our past harm us today, and not let our future be damage by our today's
poem by Shonta Mckoy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Blue Orchid
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid and turned it blue
Something's better than nothing
Something's better than nothing, it's givin' up!
Gotta make up for something
Try getting the truth from showing up
How dare you?
How old are you now anyway?
How dare you?
How old are you now anyway?
How dare you?
How old are you now anyway?
You are given a flower
But I guess there was just no pleasing you
Your lip tastes sour
But you think that it's me just teasing you
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid and turned it blue
Get behind me!
Get behind me now anyway!
Get behind me!
Get behind me now anyway!
Get behind me!
Get behind me now anyway!
You got a reaction
You got a reaction, didn't you?
You took a white orchid
You took a white orchid and turned it blue
song performed by by White Stripes
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Nothing Even Matters
Now the skies could fall
Not even if my boss should call
The world it seems so very small
'Cause nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
See I don't need no alcohol
Your love makes me feel ten feet tall
Without it I'd go through withdrawal
'Cause nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters at all
These buildings could drift out to sea
Some natural catastrophe
Still there's no place I'd rather be
'Cause nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
You're part of my identity
I sometimes have the tendency
To look at you religiously
'Cause nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters to me
Now you won't find me at no store
I have no time for manicures
With you it's never either or
'Cause nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
Now my team could score
And make it to the Final Four
Just repossess my 4x4
'Cause nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
Nothing even matters
Nothing even matters no more
song performed by by Lauryn Hill from The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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No more tears! watch your actions!
Newton's third law says that every action has equal and opposite reaction,
A Great Scientist, the son of Europe, opened the gate that was shut,
His theory is limited to chemical action and reaction, not to the human's,
If we show the other cheek, we will be slapped; don't let others to slap,
If we do bad actions, we will receive bad reaction in near future or far,
If we do good actions, we will be blessed with good reaction of peace,
No one can run away from their actions, as it is recorded in our fate,
Even we do not have enough time to receive and enjoy,
Even we do not have enough time to receive and regret,
We may have our subsequent birth to continue the same route,
If we hurt someone in the morning, we will be hurt in the evening,
All these facts are simple, easy to follow, when our actions are good.
poem by Veeraiyah Subbulakshmi
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Let Her Bloom
The first time a man meets her,
his lids flicker,
an appropriate reaction.
The first time a woman meets her,
her eyes pop out and coil on her forehead,
another appropriate reaction.
Who can blame either?
Today, who buys the canard
about the true, the good, the beautiful
in theory or in a woman?
Let them watch her as I did.
Let them frisk her for flaws
that will allow them to live
as they are, as they were,
as I was when I met her.
Till then, let her bloom
with my children
while I wonder, I try.
poem by Donal Mahoney
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Features of the Future
I'm closer to the future
Than I was yesterday.
The highway of the future
Is in each break of day.
I frame my future
By the decisions I make.
I encounter the future
If diligent steps I take.
Plans for the future
I made in the past.
Today I face the future
Yet it won't last.
Depending on the future
Is so inefficient.
Because the so-called future
Is vague and transcient!
'you'll live well in the future
if the present is well lived! ! '
poem by Robert Reuben
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Why Does The Sun Shine
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
Yo ho, its hot, the sun is not
A place where we could live
But here on earth thered be no life
Without the light it gives
We need its light
We need its heat
We need its energy
Without the sun, without a doubt
Thered be no you and me
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
The sun is hot
It is so hot that everything on it is a gas: iron, copper, aluminum, and many others.
The sun is large
If the sun were hollow, a million earths could fit inside. and yet, the sun is only a middle-sized star.
The sun is far away
About 93 million miles away, and thats why it looks so small.
And even when its out of sight
The sun shines night and day
The sun gives heat
The sun gives light
The sunlight that we see
The sunlight comes from our own suns
Atomic energy
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. the heat and light of the sun come from the nuclear reactions of hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, and helium.*
The sun is a mass of incandescent gas
A gigantic nuclear furnace
Where hydrogen is built into helium
At a temperature of millions of degrees
Notes
*live versions of this song are improvised extensively. some variants on this section:
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. the heat and light of the sun are caused by the nuclear reaction between hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, and helium.
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. the heat and light from the sun come from the nuclear reaction between oxygen, hydrogen, helium, and hydrogen.
You know, frank, scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. the heat and light from the sun are caused by the nuclear reaction between hydrogen and you, frank otoole.
Scientists have found that the sun is a huge atom-smashing machine. the heat and light from the sun come from the nuclear reaction between hydrogen, nitrogen, helium, carbon, boron, chloron, flu
Moron, and estrogen.
song performed by by They Might Be Giants
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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What Is Love?
Is love a feeling that everyone
encounters? Is love a feeling
which someone can handle? Is
love a reaction that everyone
must balance? Is love a reaction
which someone need perhaps? Is
love lust or someone's imbalance?
Is love pain or everyone's shame?
Is love abusive? I think not; It
should not lead anyone to harbor
doubt. Love will be what you
make it; And it won't collapse.
Love is really your point of view
perhaps. Is love enhanced or is
love a tender advance? Is it
love at all? If you have to ask,
explain or demand, I think not;
True love is joy, hope, peace,
and faith in man. So love will
always be what you make it I see;
or perhaps what it should be. A
beautiful reaction between two
people happily; I hope you all see.
poem by Patarica D. Nunn
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Live today!
I am so sorry for those who regret about the past.
I can't understand those who live today as the last.
For me it means they do not think about the future.
But what to do? It's their nature.
I am so sorry for those who make mistakes and give up to fight.
I don't think they are right.
I am so sorry for those who lock their hearts and souls
Trying to get off with a whole skin.
I think they do not understand that they will never win.
I like those who live today as life will never end
They usually do not pretend.
They do not hide their feelings,
They do not think how to take,
They are more giving.
They are blessed by God
And still ask our Lord for forgiving.
I think it's the right way of living.
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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The way of living
I am so sorry for those who regret about the past.
I can't understand those who live today as the last.
For me it means they do not think about the future.
But what to do? It's their nature.
I am so sorry for those who make mistakes and give up to fight.
I don't think they are right.
I am so sorry for those who lock their hearts and souls
Trying to get off with a whole skin.
I think they do not understand that they will never win.
I like those who live today as life will never end
They usually do not pretend.
They do not hide their feelings,
They do not think how to take,
They are more giving.
They are blessed by God
And still ask our Lord for forgiving.
I think it's the right way of living.
poem by Larisa Rzhepishevska
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Delayed Reaction
Music: hall
Lyrics: hall/oates/s. allen
You strike a low blow
You fight a dirty fight
Right to the heart youre putting me away
Time was movin slow
But I was in control
There were so many things I shouldve said
But couldnt think of one word
(delayed reaction) oh yeah
At first I was ashamed
Then I was inflamed
I wanted to hurt you
Say that (delayed reaction) oh no
At first I was alright
And then I had to fight
I wanted to hurt you
I wanted to hurt you so
It was a backlash
No I couldnt let it pass
I was so mad I couldnt keep it down
I made it real tough
Ooh I had to blow you off
I couldnt stand it having you around
I couldnt stand the sound, no
(delayed reaction) oh yeah
At first I was ashamed
And then I was inflamed
I wanted to hurt you
Say that (delayed reaction) oh no
At first I was alright
And then I had to fight with you
I wanted to hurt you
I wanted to hurt you so
But if the rage is right
Then you better be wrong
cause if I force a fight well then Im twice a fool
Ooh, I couldve listened more
Was that what you were waiting for?
I cant imagine why
I cant imagine why
I cant imagine why youd wanna let it go
I didnt wanna blow but
(delayed reaction) oh yeah
At first I was ashamed
And then I was inflamed
I wanted to hurt you
Say that delayed reaction oh no
At first I was alright
And then I had to fight with you
I wanted to hurt you so
(delayed reaction) oh yeah
Ooh I had to fight, fight, fight you
(delayed reaction oh no)
Just had to let the love blow to fight a dirty fight
9delayed reaction oh yeah)
What good is saying I lost my head I didnt mean it girl
(delayed reaction) oh no
Ooh baby, ooh baby
I cant imagine why you want to let it go
(delayed reaction)
Ooh, yeah the boys are fine and Im twice the fool
(delayed reaction) oh no
I cant imagine why, I cant imagine why
song performed by by Hall & Oates
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Living For Tomorrow
Music :rudolf schenker
Lyrics:klaus meine
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Lets make this world
A better place to live
Stop to take
Start to give
Loves got the power
To get it done
To stop the pain
Of a killing gun
And even if you say
Were gonna die today
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Cause love will find a way my friend
Whatever it will take
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Why dont we try today my friend
To make this world a better place
Lets make this life
A better life to live
Stop to hate
Learn to forgive
Evil power can kill
The human race
If we give life
A human face (a human face)
And even if you say
Were gonna die today
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for toda
Cause love will find a way my friend
Whatever it will take
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Why dont we try today my friend
To make this world a better place (a better place)
And even if you say
Were gonna die today
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Cause love will find a way my friend
Whatever it will take
Im still living for tomorrow
Im living for today
Why dont we try today my friend
To make this world a better place
Im still living for tomorrow
song performed by by Scorpions
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Action and reaction
To start is an action.
To stop is too an action.
Pinch the child; it cries.
It cries; you will lull it.
Action begets reaction.
Reaction begets action.
You didn’t feed the child;
It cries; you will feed it.
Non-action begets action.
Action begets reaction.
Actions are in chain,
One leading to another.
25.07.2010
poem by Rm. Shanmugam Chettiar
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Thinking of the Past
If you could go back into the past
what would you do differently?
knowing it wouldn't last.
You would have to take, the good with the bad,
you couldn't just re-live the good,
of the things you have lived, also the sad.
Thinking of the past brings depression,
you think of it to often,
it'll only bring you obession.
The past wasn't all good,
today, will be the past tommorw
are things good now? Have you understood?
Think about the past
but understand this.
it does not last.
Make the best for today,
then in the future,
you will enjoy that day.