If you find that there’s not a single drop of honey left in the jar, hit the marmalade.
If the marmalade jar has run dry, then hit the honey.
Some days, we are Winnie-The-Pooh, and on other days, we have to be Paddington Bear.
Life throws us plenty of curveballs and that’s when we need to plug into a bit of teddy bear wisdom to get us through the rough patches.
Well, there is great wisdom to be found in A.A. Milne’s Winnie-the-Pooh and Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear and I like to alternate between them when hitting a rough patch or when I need inspiration.
For example, if I’m in a jam then I’ll hit the marmalade and if I’m in a sticky spot then I’ll opt for honey and play Pooh sticks too! They both have a great whimsical turns of phrase and life lessons to suit any occasion.
For anyone going through a challenging situation then they are like wrapping yourself in a very comfy, warm blanket of loveliness.
From a cancer point of view I find what Michael Bond says about Paddington Bear to be very helpful.
Paddington Bear is an imperfect optimist who believes that anything is possible and this is exactly the mindset we need when faced with a deadly disease.
Michael Bond offers some great insights into his character. For example,
- “Paddington Bear taught me that no matter what situation you find yourself in, there is always something positive you can do to make it better.”
- “Paddington’s optimism and positive outlook on life remind us to always look for the silver lining, even in the darkest of times.”
- “Paddington’s boundless optimism and ability to see the good in everyone remind us that there is good in the world if we choose to see it.”
- “Paddington’s resilience and courage in the face of adversity teach us to never give up, no matter how tough things may seem.”
- “Paddington’s belief in the goodness of humanity reminds us that even in times of darkness, there is always hope.”
- “Through Paddington, I wanted to convey the message that it’s never too late to change and grow as a person.”
Here are some Paddington Bear quotes that are rather delicious:
- “I’ll never be like other people. But that’s alright, because I’m a bear.”
- “A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency.”
- “Things are always happening to me. I’m that sort of bear.”
- “I think I may paint a family portrait today … That is, if I have enough paint left for all the smiles.”
- “Now and then, if we walk rather than run it gives us time to notice the smaller things which are so special.”
- “The longer the day, the more you can accomplish.”
- “Say good morning to people you see on a walk. You’ll always get at least a smile in return.”
- “I’m sure you did your best and you meant well. Those are the two most important things in life.”
- “I’d better have two marmalade sandwiches, just to make sure.”
- “The greatest mistake you can make is to continually be afraid to make one.”
- “If we’re kind and polite, the world will be right. Thank you.”
Pooh is an adorable honey-loving bear with plenty to teach us, especially about love and patience. Pooh helps us to realise it is the things that are present in our life which need our attention and an eye of gratitude to appreciate their beauty and their importance in our lives.
A.A. Milne came up with some great Pooh-isms that will dig you out of any hole you might find yourself in:
- “One of the advantages of being disorganized is that one is always having surprising discoveries.”
- “Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.”
- “The things that make me different are the things that make me.”
- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?”
- “Think it over, think it under.”
- “A hug is always the right size.”
- “Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.”
- “People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”
- “It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like, ‘What about lunch?’”
- “Some people care too much. I think it’s called love.”
- “If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever.”
- “You can’t stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.”
- “Rivers know this: There is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”
- “Any day spent with you is my favorite day. So, today is my new favorite day.”
- “When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and you Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it.”
- “Don’t underestimate the value of Doing Nothing, of just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear, and not bothering.”
- “Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake.”
- “Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it.”
- “I’m not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.”
- “When you see someone putting on his Big Boots, you can be pretty sure that an Adventure is going to happen.”
- “Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon.”
- “What’s wrong with knowing what you know now and not knowing what you don’t know until later?”
- “Yesterday, when it was tomorrow, it was too exciting a day for me.”
- “If people are upset because you’ve forgotten something, console them by letting them know you didn’t forget—you just weren’t remembering.”
- “I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I have been.”
- “It’s not much of a tail, but I’m sort of attached to it.”
- “What I say is that, if a man really likes potatoes, he must be a pretty decent sort of fellow.”
- “Pay attention to where you are going because without meaning you might get nowhere.”
- “I was walking along looking for somebody, and then suddenly I wasn’t anymore.”
- “When you do the things that you can do, you will find a way.”
For more Pooh-isms then why not take a look at Be Brave: ABCs of Inspirational Quotes for Cancer Patients from Winnie-the-Pooh & Friends by cancer survivor Carolyn Gundrum.
So whether you decide to be Winnie-The-Pooh or Paddington Bear, you won’t go far wrong.
Might I suggest you try to be both, as this is not a bear-off! Their humour and practical advice is life-saving!
Thank you, John. I agree with your every word. I have followed Paddington for many years.