“When you connect to the silence within you, that is when you can make sense of the disturbance going on around you.”
When there’s chaos and stress around us, it’s only natural that we begin to internalize it. In a way, the stressors enter our bloodstream, affecting our mental and physical health. But what if we can create an impenetrable barrier between the stresses around us and our inner selves? What if we can tap into an inner sense of peace that can ride any storm? That’s what this quote, by Stephen Richards, is about–Finding inner peace. Moreover, when we can find and hold on to our inner peace, the chaos around us begins to make more sense.
PositLive Music: “Put Your Records On”
“Put Your Records On” Written by: Corinne Bailey Rae, John Beck, and Steve Chrisanthou Released: February 20, 2006 First and foremost, this song is about marching to the beat of your own drum. It’s about not worrying so much about what people think and putting your worries aside. Furthermore, it’s about taking chances and having faith that things will work out in the end. In the song, Corinne Bailey Rae is singing to her younger self. She’s encouraging her younger self to fully embrace who she is (Source). Therefore, the lyrics read “Girl, put your records on.” However, the general message can be given to anyone. Select PositLive Music: Lyrical…
“Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.”
Think about all the things you’ve dreamt of doing but your doubts stood in the way. You didn’t think you could do these things so you never tried or you quickly gave up on them. Therefore, each doubt resulted in an unfulfilled dream. This quote, by Suzy Kassem, brings to light the fact that we have more to lose in doubt than we do in failure. At least with failure we learn from our mistakes, and what we learn sets us up for success later. However, with doubt, we either don’t take the first step or we quickly give up before we’re half-way there. Hence, trying and failing is much…
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
This quote is from Matthew 6 verse 34. It’s part of a longer passage about worry that begins at verse 25. In the longer passage, it talks about worrying about acquiring material possessions such as food and shelter. It compares our worry about these things to birds, who also need these things to survive but are much more carefree. However, they manage to acquire these necessities each day. Their creator, God, knows what they need and makes sure those things are provided to them. Yes, we’re not birds, we’re humans. And unlike the birds, we have bills to pay and various financial constraints and obligations, especially in today’s world. But…
“Pray, and let God worry.”
There’s a lot of meaning and value packed into this short quote by Martin Luther. “Pray, and let God worry”–five words and two calls to action that can be life-altering. They seem simple, however it’s easy to forget to pray–step 1. And if and when we do pray, we forget step 2. We hang on to our worry instead of handing it over to God. Together, both steps may not come naturally. They may take time to develop and become a habit. They require a lot of faith and trust that everything will eventually work out for the best. But once mastered, it becomes much easier to surmount any of…
“Failure, it appears, is not the regret that haunts most people; it is the choice not to risk failure at all.”
There’s a difference between having regret after taking a risk and failing and having regret after not taking a risk at all. Yes, technically you don’t fail if you don’t try. But which brings on a greater feeling of regret? Trying and failing or not trying at all? This quote, by John Izzo, reminds us that failure can also be defined by the decision to not risk failure. As it turns out, most people are not so much haunted by the regret of trying and failing as they are haunted by the regret of not risking failure. The key is to keep this in mind when tempted to not risk…
“Twenty years from now you’ll be more disappointed by the things you did not do than the ones you did.”
This quote is often misattributed to the renowned writer, Mark Twain. However, it is by Harriett (H.) Jackson Brown Jr., a best selling author known for his books, Life’s Little Instruction Book and P.S. I Love You. This quote reminds us to overcome our fears and doubts and pursue the things we’re either afraid to do or continue to push off. Why? Because there is a higher chance of regret for having not done these things. So what are the things you keep pushing off or gave up on because fear and doubt are holding you back? Now, imagine still not doing these things several years from now.
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there.”
There’s a thing in agriculture called soil depletion. It happens when an area of soil is over-cultivated, making it more likely for it to become depleted of all the essential nutrients needed for something to grow there. Well, this is the same thing that happens when we consistently operate within our comfort zone. We’re unable to grow when we continue to plant ourselves in the same soil. What’s so beautiful about this quote (author unknown) is that it has meaning both theoretically and literally. Our comfort zone is a great place to be because it’s easier, less stressful, and less challenging. However, when we don’t try or do something new,…
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.”
Fear can be hard to get rid of when it sets in. When that happens, we can feel paralyzed and confused. Either we take no action or make unwise, irrational decisions. But often, it turns out that it’s the unknown that gives us fear. The more unknown and uncertain things are the greater the fear. From a child being afraid of the dark to an adult being afraid of what the future might hold—it all has to do with the unknown. So, it makes sense that knowledge and understanding can help assuage fear. This quote, by Marie Curie, is about this relationship between fear and understanding. When fear sets in,…
Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
You have a dream or life goal that’s constantly being pushed off for later. Perhaps it’s to go somewhere, see something, or do something. But you just don’t feel ready to take the plunge. This quote, by Les Brown, reminds us that what typically prevents us from chasing our dreams is fear. Basically, we’re not living our dreams because we’re living in fear of all the things that could potentially go wrong if we do go for it. And so, in the words of Langston Hughes, it’s a dream deferred. Fear prevents it from ever coming to pass. Therefore, instead of living our fears, which is a more natural thing…