“Giving up doesn’t always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go.”
In life, we’re conditioned to believe that giving up is a sign of weakness. If you’re giving up on something, it must automatically mean you’re not capable or strong enough to do that thing. However, this quote, from the book Crossing Tinker’s Knob by Inglath Cooper, turns this thinking upside-down. Sometimes giving up means we’re strong enough to let go. Sometimes it’s actually harder to give up than to keep going. Knowing when it’s time to end one course in favor of an other not only requires an incredible amount of discernment but also strength in humility.
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words. Watch your words, they become your actions. Watch your actions, they become your habits. Watch your habits, they become your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”
The originator of this quote is unknown. It’s a saying that goes back well over a hundred years, appearing in different variations. However, this version most captures the essence of the quote. It reminds us of a simple and often unconscious progression that can influence our destiny or future. From our thoughts to our words, and from our words to our actions. Next, those actions become habits that form our character, which ultimately affects our future. What’s most striking about this quote is how it begins–to watch our thoughts. So let’s ask ourselves, are our thoughts mostly positive or negative? Where do they lead and direct our future?
“To be upset over what you don’t have is to waste what you do have.”
This quote, by Ken Keyes Jr., reminds us to count our blessings. Moreover, it reminds us that the more time and energy we spend being upset about the things we don’t have, the less time and energy we have left to appreciate what’s already right in front of us. Therefore, those things almost feel wasted. When they’re not noticed in the first place, we fail to tap into the joy of having them.
“Don’t bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself.”
It’s human nature to measure ourselves relative to others and try to be better. We see competitions today, throughout history, and across the globe designed to determine who’s better in some way. For example, who’s faster, stronger, smarter, more attractive, talented, or creative. However, beyond outright competitions, we calculate these attributes on our own. Next, we take our measurements and compare them to ourselves–to gauge our own value and self-worth. This quote, by William Faulkner, reminds us to not focus on being better than anyone now or anyone who’ve come before us. Besides the dangerous and unhealthy aspect of making our self-worth entirely dependent on others, this also robs us…
You May Also Like
“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
The difference between treating a physical vs. an emotional wound is that one heals faster when it’s covered and the other doesn’t
“Begin to see yourself as a soul with a body rather than a body with a soul.”
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.”
This quote, by Stephen Covey, is about not being so focused on a schedule or to-do list. Instead, it encourages us to reflect on what is on it. Are the things on it all that important? Or should we be prioritizing other things? Are those other priorities being neglected? Yes, it’s important to prioritize our schedules. However, it’s equally important to make sure we are making time in our schedules for the things that matter to us most.
Going From “Have to” to “Get to”
There are quite a few things we feel we have to do in life—various responsibilities, commitments, and goals we set for ourselves. You might say “I have to” do this or that, or at least think it consciously or subconsciously. “I have to exercise”, “I have to eat healthy”, “I have to go to work”, “I have to volunteer”, “I have to do chores”, “I have to run errands”. The list goes on. But what if we replace the words “have to” with “get to” for all these things? What if we reimagine them with all the opportunities and possibilities they possess? What if we’re grateful to even have the…
You May Also Like
“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.”
“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.”
“It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.”
PositLive Music: “Fight Song”
“Fight Song” Written by: Rachel Platten and Dave Bassett Released: February 19, 2015 Less than a year before this song’s release, singer-songwriter, Rachel Platten, was struggling to make it in the music industry. However, she found the strength to go on, as expressed in this song (Source). In short, it’s a song about hope and perseverance. Rachel recalls her struggle saying, “Ten months ago I was on a house concert tour in a van playing to like twenty or thirty people a night…I wrote the song when I was going through such a hard time, and I needed to remember to believe in myself” (Source). Select PositLive Music: Lyrical Playlist…
“Try a thing you haven’t done three times. Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.”
You may have heard inspirational quotes and messages about stepping out of your comfort zone, not being afraid to take risks, and trying something new. However, the unspoken assumption is to try that new thing once. This quote, by Virgil Thomson, challenges us to try something new not once but three times. “Once, to get over the fear of doing it. Twice, to learn how to do it. And a third time to figure out whether you like it or not.” Perhaps we don’t have to do so exactly three times. There are many instances where once is enough. The bottom line is to not be quick to decide whether…
PositLive Music: “You Gotta Be”
“You Gotta Be” Written by: Des’ree (born Desiree Weeks) and Ashley Ingram Released: March 28, 1994, Re-released February 27, 1995, 1999 Mix–March 22, 1999 According to singer-songwriter, Des’ree, this song came about after reflecting on how she would stop herself every day to think about how she has to be. (Source). The music video is in black and white, and it plays with those colors–in a way, highlighting the juxtaposition in how we’re sometimes forced to feel and act. “You have to be cool and calm in [one] situation, and then you have to be bold and strong in another situation,” Des’ree noted. The parent album is about “having the…
“Don’t limit your challenges. Challenge your limits.”
No one ever becomes a professional athlete or marathon runner without ever once pushing themself beyond their limits. That person must train to be at the level they are in. It’s that extra mile–those extra reps–that redefine what they can achieve. If they would stop or go easy every time they feel the’ve reached their max, they would never grow but plateau. This idea not only applies to fitness but other aspects of life that challenge us. However, when challenges mount, the first thing we want to do is limit them. We want to make them small until we’re comfortable. But if we were to limit our challenges all the…
