Quotes that are Inspiring Me
A final ode to summer!
I thought it would be fun to start an open series where I share quotes that are inspiring, challenging or encouraging me. I don’t know about you, but I am a sucker for a good zinger. There is something impactful about a soundbite short enough to remember but deep enough to get in your head. Sometimes when I lack inspiration or motivation—I look up quotes that fit my situation! So I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorites.
In this post I want to share some quotes related to time that have are turning the wheels in my brain quite a bit. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!
My Personal Favorite
“Make the least of all that goes and the most of all that comes.” —Sara Teasdale
I must have reread this quote over a dozen times because this sentiment had never quite occurred to me. I think we tend to lean one of two ways when it comes to how we view time—we either dwell too much on the past or live too much for the future—rather than fully living in the present.
This quote particularly got me thinking about the ways I view memories. Admittedly I am a sucker for nostalgia—photos, scrapbooks and loving to talk about the “good old days.” And that is fine! But I discovered that reflecting too much on the past—good or bad—can blind me from fully seeing opportunities, beauties and purpose today.
Making the least of all that has gone behind us—the struggles, pain and even special times and achievements—is really the truest way to make the most of all that comes before us each day. Making the least of something in the past doesn’t disregard those happenings, but it puts them in their proper place and prioritizes now over then . Making the most out of all that comes today is the smartest way to ensure the best tomorrow.
Some Close Contenders
“There is no peace that cannot be found in the present moment” —Tasha Tudor
This quote reminds me of my 2022 phrase, “don’t postpone your joy,” and is pretty self-explanatory. Peace can be found in the present moment because peace is a state of mind rather than a state of circumstances. Those who learn to tap into their inner peace and imagination can find a serenity in even the most mundane tasks. Pursuing peace with God, peace with others and peace within ourselves is a wiser investment than chasing perfect circumstances. Or to put it inversely, any peace that is dependent on ideal circumstances is not true peace.
“Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing.” —Miles Davis
I’m still chewing over this one. I immediately thought, time isn’t the only thing! What about love and relationships and dreams….and cats and hot chocolate? But then I thought a little more about it and realizes that all worthwhile aspects of our life happen within time and must be nurtured over time. The older I get the more I realize how fast time goes by—and how so much of life is impacted by how we use it.
If you are looking for some more inspiring and haunting quotes about happiness, I recommend the post, “35 Awesome Quotes On Happiness,” on Abida’s blog, True Self Growth. There are SO many gems here that are worth reading over and over again.
What About You?
These are just a few quotes related to time and life that have motivated me recently, but I am sure there are loads more out there! If you have any go-to quotes on time that never fail to motivate, I would love to hear them!