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“Look on every exit as being an entrance somewhere else.”
It’s physically impossible to leave a place and not find yourself in another. This quote, by screenwriter and playwright Tom Stoppard, is about applying this practical concept to life. Whether it’s leaving a room, a country, a relationship, or career, something else awaits on the other side of that exit.…
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“Don’t focus on regrets; find your inspiration in what you can do now.”
Focusing on regrets is like driving with our eyes constantly on the rearview mirror. Ideally, they should focus more on where we are and where we’re going. This quote, from inspirational writer Catherine Pulsifer, cautions us against focusing too much on regrets. Instead, it encourages us to turn our “should…
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“Don’t be discouraged. It’s often the last key in the bunch that opens the lock.”
When you have a bunch of keys, it’s so rare for the first one you randomly pick to be the right one. Let’s say you have a dozen in the bunch and you have no clue which one opens a particular lock. You may have to try six, seven, or…
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“The truly rich are those who enjoy what they have.”
The official definition of wealth is centered around how much money and assets one has. However, this Yiddish proverb measures wealth differently. It’s about how much one enjoys what they have regardless of quantity. It’s one’s level of appreciation and enjoyment that truly matters. Therefore, by this definition, it’s possible…
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“The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read.”
This anonymous quote likely came about to encourage those who are literate to read more. However, the skill–reading–can be replaced with any other skill or talent. We’re all blessed with different talents, or there are certain skills we’ve developed over the years. Yet while being capable of talents and skills…
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“Begin anywhere.”
In track and field, there’s a clearly defined “start” or line that tells runners where to begin the race. They can’t just begin anywhere. But in life, you can. Whatever life changes you want to make, this quote, by music composer John Cage, is a simple one to remember when…
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“Don’t be upset when people reject you. Nice things are rejected all the time by people who can’t afford them.”
Rejection can be hard to bear, and harder for some than others. It also has the unfortunate side effect of eroding one’s self-esteem. Again, more so for some than others. The irony in how upsetting rejection is for someone is that it’s more upsetting if they already suffer from low…
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“Be yourself. No one can ever tell you that you’re doing it wrong.”
Being your authentic self is never easy. The harsh reality is that people and their opinions are inescapable; and it’s hard not to be, in some way or another, influenced by them. If you’re wondering if this could be you, here’s one simple way to find out. First, tap into…
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“Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best.”
In competitions, we tend to dismiss anything and anyone that’s not first place. Yes, silver and bronze get some attention, but certainly not as much as gold. And certainly not as much as fourth place to last. Unfortunately, the same attitude we have toward competitions is unconsciously carried over to…
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“The best bridge between despair and hope is a good night’s sleep.”
This often misattributed quote comes from the book, Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams, by Matthew Walker. It’s been well documented that sleep rejuvenates the mind. After pulling an all-nighter or going a day or more without much sleep, you’ll notice your mind isn’t as sharp.…