Who doesn’t love a good quote?
Quotes…these wise words from thinkers, philosophers, activists, experts, other journeyers…can help us see things differently, offer advice on how to deal with life’s challenges, support our intentions, inspire our journeys.
Each of us is on a different path, finding our own way. Sometimes we need to switch directions, choose a parallel path, or forge an entirely new road. I believe that every personal journey takes courage, creativity, confidence and perseverance. And we can all use a little help, inspiration and advice along the way.
My journey away from my high-stress-highly-tailored-and-self-controlled corporate life towards my new life as a solo-entrepreneur and free-flowing-long-haired-mindful-yogini was inspired by many quotes, from ancient poets to modern teachers. I have been keeping quotes for years, writing them in a journal, posting them on a vision board, collecting them as they spoke to me along the way.
I continue to hunt for words of wisdom and inspiration, and quotes are a regular part of my HUM offering, present in every newsletter as the “Inspiration of the Week”, and posted regularly on my Instagram and Facebook feeds.
Here are 25 of my favourites that have inspired my journey towards a more purposeful life, to find more joy, peace and balance in the present moment. They advise me on how to let go of the past and shake off negative energy to make way for higher energy, for new space in my heart and mind, for new directions and opportunities. They inspire me to dare to dream…and to work hard to make that dream come true.
Who knew a few words could do so much? But it’s true. Words really matter. They can make you see things differently.
I hope these quotes will offer you ideas, inspiration, support, comfort for your own journey, whatever that may be and wherever it takes you.
Happy travels!
“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.”∽ Joseph Campbell
“When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.”∽ Lao Tzu
“The point is that the happiness we seek is already here and it will be found through relaxation and letting go rather than through struggle.”∽ Pema Chödrön
“In the process of letting go you will lose many things from the past, but you will find yourself.”∽ Deepak Chopra
“The world exists as you perceive it. It is not what you see, but how you see it. It is not what you hear, but how you hear it. It is now what you feel, but how you feel it.”∽ Rumi
“I have been a seeker and I still am, but I stopped asking the books and the stars. I started listening to the teaching of my Soul.”∽ Rumi
“Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames.”∽ Rumi
“Hiding in this cage of visible matter is the invisible lifebird. Pay attention to her, she is singing your song!”∽ Kabir
“At the centre of your being you have the answers. You know who you are and you know what you want.”∽ Kabir
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”∽ Marcel Proust
"If you hear a voice within you say “You cannot paint”, then by all means PAINT, and that voice will be silenced.”∽ Vincent Van Gogh
“What you can do, or dream you can, begin it,
Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it,
Only engage, and then the mind grows heated—
Begin it, and the work will be completed!”
∽ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, as translated by John Anster 1835
“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.”
∽ William Hutchinson Murray, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition
“You have to find what sparks a light in you so that you in your own way can illuminate the world.”∽ Oprah Winfrey
"Creativity involves breaking out of expected patterns in order to look at things in a different way." ∽ Edward de Bono
“Destiny, quite often, is a determined parent. Mozart was hardly some naive prodigy who sat down at the keyboard and, with God whispering in his ears, let music flow from his fingertips. It's a nice image for selling tickets to movies, but whether or not God has kissed your brow, you still have to work. Without learning and preparation, you won't know how to harness the power of that kiss.” ∽ Twyla Tharp
“The power of intention is the power to manifest, to create, to live a life of unlimited abundance, and to attract into your life the right people at the right moments.”∽ Dr. Wayne Dyer
“The only preparation or participation required to unleash the power of intention is a connection to the conscious intelligence field, which can be attained in many ways, one of the best being meditation.”∽ Deepak Chopra
“I’ve learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart I usually make the right decision.” ∽ Maya Angelou
“It becomes important to understand not to put off happiness amid other pursuits and live in the reality of the present with a joyful heart.”∽ Jack Kornfield
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”∽ Jane Goodall
"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." ∽ Thich Nhat Hanh
“My message is the practice of compassion, love and kindness. These things are very useful in our daily life, and also for the whole of human society these practices can be very important.”∽ Dalai Lama
"An act to make another happy, inspires the other to make still another happy, and so happiness is aroused and abounds. Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the single candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."∽ Buddha
“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.”∽ Peace Pilgrim
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