“Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. Remember everything you have faced, all the battles you have won, and all the fears you have overcome.”
Sometimes what lies before us seems more frightening than what we’ve already overcome. However, it may not necessarily be more challenging than what we’ve already gone through. The only difference between the battles we’ve won and the battles before us is the unknown. This quote, by N.R. Walker, is about making how far you’ve come serve as inspiration for what lies ahead. You may not know the outcome, but if the past is any indication, you will get through–just as you’ve gotten through all the things that led you to this point.
“Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.”
We all have things we want to accomplish–whether it’s getting out of bed in the morning or getting a prestigious award or recognition. But it’s easy to forget that we make no progress toward our goals without first taking action. It’s even easier to forget that before that action comes a decision to take it. This quote, by John F. Kennedy, reminds us that any accomplishment first takes the decision to give it a shot. To try. This is, in fact, the first step that takes our goals from just existing in our head to becoming reality. Have you made the decision to try?
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“Everything you do, every thought you have, every word you say creates a memory that you will hold in your body. It’s imprinted on you and affects you in subtle ways – ways you are not always aware of. With that in mind, be very conscious and selective.”
“Those who matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter.”
Thoughts of the Day
“How different our lives are when we really know what is deeply important to us, and keeping that picture in mind, we manage ourselves each day to be and to do what really matters most.”
This quote, by Stephen R. Covey, is about reflecting on what’s deeply important to you as the first step to establishing a clear path to each day. In a way, the things that are really important to you serve as a compass as you navigate each day–as you navigate life. The more consistently you keep those things in mind, the more you’ll find yourself consistently and naturally doing what matters most in accordance to those things. It’s all about reorienting your focus. For example, if it’s family, you’ll find yourself spending more time with them. If it’s being able to travel and see the world, you’ll find yourself conscious of…
“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?
“F-E-A-R has two meanings: ‘Forget Everything And Run’ or ‘Face Everything And Rise.’ The choice is yours.”
You may have heard of the acronym F.E.A.R representing the phrase “False evidence appearing real”. But this isn’t the only way the word fear has been turned into an acronym. This quote, by Zig Ziglar, offers two additional phrases from the word fear: “Forget Everything And Run” and “Face Everything And Rise”. What is so beautiful about these two phrases is that they offer a choice between two different meanings we can give to fear. It can either mean something we forget and run away from or something we face; and in the challenge that comes from facing our fear, we’re able to rise. Unfortunately, we’re more inclined to forget…
“When you arise in the morning think of what a privilege it is to be alive, to think, to enjoy, to love.”
This quote is from the book, Meditations, by the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Meditations contains a series of notes and ideas by Aurelius to himself–a kind of personal journal. There is evidence to believe Aurelius suffered from chronic pain and poor appetite (symptoms of a possible ulcer). It was so bad that many were concerned for his health. Knowing this context, we might have more appreciation for his words about waking up each morning with gratitude for simply being alive with the ability to think, enjoy, and love. It’s not always easy to do so, especially when we’re suffering from pain–be it physical or emotional. But perhaps, with gratitude, the…
“I never lose. Either I win or learn.”
Whenever someone doesn’t win, the assumption is that they lost or tied. However, this quote, by Nelson Mandela, reminds us not to think in such absolute terms when it comes to winning and losing. Moreover, it reminds us to rethink what losing actually means; or rather, what losing actually results in. Yes, it often results in sadness and disappointment–But it also results in learning. No matter what, there’s something to learn. There’s always a lesson. Unfortunately, feelings of sadness and disappointment have a way of overshadowing the lessons loss teaches us. But if we find a way to learn the lessons, then our losses are never in vain.
“Awakening is not changing who you are, but discarding who you are not.”
Awakening is transformative and intense. It leads to self-discovery and deeper understanding. Furthermore, it requires intention, reflection, meditation, and prayer. Often, the primary focus is to change who we are. However, this quote, by Deepak Chopra, reminds us that discarding who we are not is just as important. Because when we become less of what we are not, we become more of who we really are. We get rid of all the noise, distractions, pretenses, and imitations that obscure our path.
“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.”
Sometimes we tend to have a much greater compassion for others than we do for ourselves. We understand when others make an unintended mistake and we’re prepared to help them in times of need. Meanwhile, we may be quick to dismiss our own hurt and pain and be less forgiving of our own mistakes. This quote, by Jack Kornfield, reminds us to not be so hard on ourselves–to also offer ourselves grace and compassion. Otherwise, our compassion is not whole but rather incomplete.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.”
This quotation is from 2 Corinthians 4 verse 16. It’s a great reminder that we are more than our outer and physical selves. We may show visible signs of age, become weaker and slower over time, or become injured. That is part of life; and it shouldn’t make us lose heart. Because while all these things are taking place, there is another part of ourselves that is being renewed each day. It’s a part we don’t see and may not feel; but it’s the essence of who we are–our inner selves–our souls. At the end of the day, the constant renewal of our inner selves is what really matters. So,…
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“If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.”
“The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have.”
“There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, all things in succession. That which grows fast, withers as rapidly. That which grows slowly, endures.”
