by Laura Xie
When we need advice or some motivation, catchy, memorable quotes can sometimes be the solution! I’ve compiled a list of quotes that resemble a lot of my mindsets, as well as ones that I believe might resonate with you. These quotes may sound cheesy, but the underlying messages are worth understanding and are impactful pieces of advice for anyone and everyone, especially during the hopelessness of a pandemic.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” - Confucius [2].
People often define achievement or progress as perfection or the immediate attainment of a goal. However, I do not believe that this is what achievement truly is. Achievement doesn’t mean not failing, but rather being able to recover from failure, or “rising every time we fall.” It’s more impressive to rebound from mistakes than to seamlessly accomplish a goal. So, don’t be too harsh on yourself. Many people I’ve met destroy themselves because of their mindset that getting bad grades means that they are eternal failures, or inferior and incompetent compared to their peers. Instead of focusing on your mistakes, focus on bouncing back. By doing so, you are making true progress and accomplishments.
“I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day.” - Vincent Van Gogh [2].
In all the movies we watch and the literature we read, there have been common symbols shared among them. One of them is the contrast of nighttime and daytime. While nighttime is usually associated with negative attributes such as mystery and horror, daytime is the opposite and is typically associated with positive attributes such as happiness and hope. If one can see beauty and good during difficult, ugly moments (the night), it will prove to be rewarding. Remaining positive during negative times by focusing on gratitude gives you hope and motivation to power through challenging times. Although this may not be Van Gogh’s intention in the quote, it surely is another positive, perhaps even happier, viewpoint to look at it from. The beauty of quotes is that it can be interpreted an infinite different ways just by the way you want to look at it! Interpret all quotes the way you wish to because it will leave a lasting impact on you.
“There is no grief like the grief that does not speak.” - Henry Wadsworth Longfellow [2].
The greatest suffering happens in silence. People tend to keep to themselves when they are in an unhealthy mental state, meaning that they avoid reaching out and expressing themselves. So, even if you see someone who appears to be in a healthy mental state, make sure to still check in with them. Appearances can be deceiving. It’s also extremely important that you yourself do not suffer in silence. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your community, whether it’s family, friends, your school, or even professional help. If you know someone who is going through troubling times, stick by them and encourage them to reach out to others. Typically, people who do not seek necessary assistance continue to suffer and even dig themselves into a deeper hole. Although it is often neglected, mental health is so crucial because you cannot directly see if someone is going through something or needs help.
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” - Aesop [2].
Yes, this sounds like a very cheesy, overused quote. But, the message is still an important one that needs to be stressed. The power of kindness is often overlooked. When you treat someone with kindness, you are, in a way, letting your guard down and making yourself more vulnerable. In this way, you are enabling a meaningful connection between you and the person you are kind towards. A lack of kindness, however, I believe is even more impactful than kindness itself. Sadly, when someone is mistreated, their confidence and pride is completely ruined. Stand up for those who are the victims of mistreatment and a lack of kindness. Spread some kindness, whether the deed is big or small. Perhaps your parents had an exhausting day at work. Take over some of the chores that they would typically handle such as walking the dog, tidying around the house, or helping younger siblings with homework. Maybe you haven’t spoken or seen your grandparents in a while. They’d be ecstatic if you gave them a call or visited them! I love calling my grandma whenever I can; she has been quite lonely over quarantine and she enjoys our calls despite my unintelligible Mandarin! Sometimes, I’m able to hear the smile on her face when we speak. Being kind towards others not only benefits them, but will guarantee to make you feel warm and moved.
“Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.” - John Lennon [2].
Humans find comfort in familiarity and organization. We plan our future, trying to script our every move in hopes of a perfect and predictable lifestyle. However, life will always surprise, or scare, us with the unexpected. The unexpected is what life really is: it’s what makes life exciting, it’s what’s formative of our personality and individuality. We cannot expect our life to be made up of organized, detailed plans; instead, allow yourself to be less anxious about what you do not know and what you can’t control, such as your future. Welcome the unexpected!
Sources
Editor, U., Udemy Editor Recent Articles by Udemy Editor 56 Popular Programming Interview Questions Every Developer Should Study Apple Final Cut Pro vs. Adobe Premiere Pro: Which is Better? The Top 27 Software Engineer Interview Questions You Need to Know, & Editor, R. A. (2014, May 12). Character Sketch Examples for Creative Writers. Retrieved from https://blog.udemy.com/character-sketch-examples/
Inspirational Quotes at BrainyQuote. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.brainyquote.com/