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“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.”
This quote, by Soren Kierkegaard, explains that life is best understood backwards–in hindsight. But the trouble is that we must live it forward. We must live it in that unsettling space that falls between a confounding present and an uncertain future. As such, we often don’t understand why things are…
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“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”
This quote comes from Albert Schweitzer. It reminds us that success, in terms of external validation, doesn’t necessarily result in happiness. However, with happiness as our primary goal, we’re able to unlock the door to success. Moreover, we can be happier in the process. Perhaps this quote resonates with you…
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“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.”
Opportunities in life are like the flip of a coin that can either land on heads or tails. Whether it lands on what we wanted or not, there is a consequence given for both sides of the coin. Similarly, in life, things may land favorably or they may not. Either…
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“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.”
This quote is said to be by C.S. Lewis. However, it’s from a 2010 movie adaptation of his novel, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. The quote is not only appropriate in the scene it appears in within this fictional film but also in real life.…
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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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“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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“Understand: you are one of a kind. Your character traits are a kind of chemical mix that will never be repeated in history. There are ideas unique to you, a specific rhythm and perspective that are your strengths, not your weaknesses. You must not be afraid of your uniqueness.”
“Success does not consist in never making mistakes but in never making the same one a second time.”
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
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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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“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least.”
If we list all the things that matter most in life besides food, clothing, and shelter, they’re usually not material. They’re also usually priceless. Maybe the things at the top of our list include our family, faith, or mental and physical well-being. They’re things that are frankly difficult to live…
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“It’s the rough side of the mountain that’s the easiest to climb; the smooth side doesn’t have anything for you to hang on to.”
This quote comes from Aretha Franklin during a 1964 interview for Ebony Magazine; and it serves as a great illustration for life. Turns out, a smooth mountain and a smooth life are quite similar because they both leave you with nothing to hang on to. On a smooth terrain, it’s…
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“We need to accept that we won’t always make the right decisions, that we’ll screw up royally sometimes―understanding that failure is not the opposite of success, it’s part of success.”
Sometimes in an attempt to avoid making the wrong decision and experiencing failure, we avoid taking any meaningful action. However, this quote by Arianna Huffington helps us to adopt the mindset of accepting that we won’t always make the right decision and that failure is imminent. This mindset can help…
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“Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equal or greater benefit.”
“Be grateful for what you already have while you pursue your goals. If you aren’t grateful for what you already have, what makes you think you would be happy with more.”
“It’s not what you say out of your mouth that determines your life, it’s what you whisper to yourself that has the most power.”
