Goal
This week, I want to discuss the importance of creating quotes to help inspire you during tough times.
Life Is Challenging
Life is not wretched. However, it is challenging.
Life is challenging. You have many problems to worry about from your health to the safety of your loved ones. On top of the traditional worries, your mind is focused on self-improvement: Are you doing everything you can with your time? What do you want to do with your life? Are you a good person?
Lastly, we are all concerned with the massive corruption of our institutions, corporations, churches, and governments. Economies are failing, political conflict is expanding, and the most vulnerable are suffering. However, everyone is distracted, embittered, and entitled while the elites gather more and more power.
As an individual, you will find it challenging to navigate through your internal conflicts while facing external challenges. Such navigations are not easy, and we may find ourselves tired, unmotivated, or emotionally unstable.
However, Others Have Conquered It
Historically, individuals have defeated personal and societal vices. We are no different.
Luckily, all individuals have many tools and tricks to overcome the despair we may feel. One tool is to find meaning in wise words. Whether we craft pithy sayings ourselves or depend on historical wisdom, inspirational quotes are an effective way to remain motivated. Why? Because quotes can help us highlight the challenges of life while giving us the motivation we need to march forward to victory.
The challenges we face are not unique to us. Internally, all individuals deal with vice, doubt, and fear. As you seek to overcome your demons or learn a new skill, a pithy adage can keep you focused on victory.
Externally, corruption, apathy, and collectivism are consistent throughout history. A wise saying can center your focus, decrease your anxiety, and give you the fuel you need to weather the storm of society’s insanity.
Therefore, I want to discuss how to choose the best quotes to inspire you. These quotes can be another tool to help you continue onward, even as your challenges grow.
How To Choose The Best Quotes
Quotes should be true and wise.
- Firstly identify when you feel a lack of inspiration. Do you feel unmotivated at the gym or while doing your work? By understanding when you feel less motivated, you can prepare quotes to tackle your specific struggle. For example, you don’t want an adage about loyalty when your vice is sloth.
- Secondly, try to control other factors if possible. Are you getting enough sleep? Do you feel stressed because of money? Fixing foundational problems in your life makes responding to struggles much easier. Why do I bring this up? You don’t want to use a quote as a crunch. You want to use texts when you’ve done all you can and still feel uninspired.
- Lastly, find inspirational quotes. These sayings can be found through your reading or direct research. For example, Goodreads has fantastic quotes. I frequently include quotes on my posts, and you can use those as well. Furthermore, you don’t want to pick a saying because it’s famous or obscure. Find a saying which genuinely speaks to you.
My Favorite Quotes
I have a few sayings which I keep close to the heart. In quiet times or stressful moments, I reflect on these quotes to help me remain focused on being the best version of myself.
“The World Needs More Heroes”
The world needs more heroes willing to pursue virtue.
A personal favorite of mine, this quote reminds me of how much the world needs virtuous individuals. Therefore, I need to do everything I can to be the best version of myself, so I can reduce suffering and increase virtue.
“They Lie To Themselves”
People will lie to themselves to justify their enslavement to vice and the powerful.
One of my biggest regrets is trying to understand most people. For a long time, I would watch as people’s actions failed to match their words or intentions. For example, why do people believe the government solves complex issues when the government defines nothing and never delivers concrete solutions?
I soon realized people lie to themselves. The average person will distract and manipulate themselves instead of dealing with brutal, uncomfortable truths. Therefore, I learned being annoyed, confused, or angry would change nothing. Alternatively, when I see inconsistent behavior, I simply remind myself, “they lie to themselves.”
Now, I save emotional energy and can refocus my efforts on helping the rational.
“Per ardua, ad astra”
Greatness lies behind massive challenges.
“Per ardua, ad astra” is a Latin phrase meaning “through adversity, to the stars.” For me, this quote highlights how I have to go forward through difficulty to accomplish great and significant things.
Anything worth having does not come easily. When I don’t want to go forward or do the work, I remind myself a meaningful life requires challenges. By overcoming my desire for comfort, I can decrease my anxiety and increase my confidence.
“No days unalert”
Life is hard. You better step up swinging.
From Robert Greene, this quote helps me remain focused when I feel distraction threatening at my mind. Furthermore, this saying reminds me to live a life of purpose and meaning. No action should be pursued aimlessly. Additionally, my days should not be empty or full of distractions.
If I want to accomplish my goals and live fully, I have to focus. I cannot fly on autopilot and hope for the best. I will spend my time as wisely as I can.
“Knowledge makes a man unfit to be a slave”
Learn as much as you can. Knowledge protects you from predators and vice.
From Frederick Douglass, this axiom reminds me of the value of learning and the dangers of ignorance. More knowledge makes you more capable. You can solve problems, invent new solutions, and serve others. If you are ignorant, you are less useful and cannot take better advantage of life’s opportunities.
Furthermore, the more you know, the more you can elevate yourself above the brutality and shortsightedness of most people. For example, the more you know about emotional control, the better you can engage with uncomfortable or painful realities. This ability places you above others who will wallow in anger over small things and lose their energy to the petty.
Therefore, learn what you can. Develop a learning mindset and grow your knowledge base. The more you know, the freer you are.
“Character, not circumstances, makes the man”
You are who you choose to be.
This saying is my favorite axiom from Booker T. Washington. Why do I love it so much? It helps me remember two things:
- My destiny is my choice. I am a victim of nothing, and I will be a slave to no one.
- Secondly, the world is a sad place of collectivism and identity politics. However, never let anyone take away your successes, struggles, and virtues when they attempt to put you in a box and define you by unchosen realities.
We are not victims or slaves of the culture. You can remake your life and chose a different path based on the virtues you decide to pursue. Therefore, your actions and virtues define who you are, what you can do, and how far you choose to go.
Stay Focused and Remain Inspired
Listen closely. Read often. Remain humble. There is wisdom everywhere.
Life is challenging. Internal struggles and external brutalities await you. As you march forward, you will be tired, depressed, confused, and unmotivated. However, with better habits, clear goals, and meaningful quotes, you can keep moving forward and one day escape the limitations of your vices and the vices of society.
So, find quotes that inspire you. Stand up straight with your head held high. Always remember how strong you are and focus on being your best self.
Actionables
- What are your favorite quotes? What do you like about them?
- What areas of life do you struggle with? How can you improve?
- Who are historical figures you look up to? Why do you find them inspirational?
Please remember that it’s important to do the actionables. You’re not on this earth to simply read but to do. To become an individual, you must act more than you consume.
*Image credit to Unsplash.
