A Quote I Try to Live By
April 25 2020
Or Quotes, rather
There was a moment last week that I decided to jump on board with the 30 Day Blogging Challenge. I searched the internet for one that seemed like a good fit but didn’t feel inspired, as most of them wanted to know my five favorite foods and what it was like to be single. Which, honestly, aren’t things I feel excited to write about. (And also don’t sound like things anyone would care to read about. Feel free to let me know if I’m wrong.)
However, this one caught my attention. “A quote you try to live by.” Quotes are inspiring, concise, and some of my favorite kinds of concise writing.
As a traveler and avid writer, I don’t just have one (shocking, I know.) So here we go.
“But the real secret it life is that you get what you want when you do what you want.” -Matt,
The first time I read this quote, my initial thought was ‘duh.’ Of course you get what you want when you are doing what you want- how else would that go? But then, as I was yelling at the quote in my head, its real purpose hit me.
You don’t have what you want because you aren’t doing what you want to do. This quote, to me, is great for pointing out our thought process and how if we take a moment to turn it on its head, things might all come together. If you aren’t taking action towards your ultimate goal, even little baby steps, you will never get there. If you don’t manifest something into being by contributing each day to that manifestation, it will never come to pass.
“Tell your heart that fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. No heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams.” -Paulo Coelho,
This is one of my favorites. It touches on all the things; fears, dreams, suffering, searching. It just hits all the points for me. We don’t go for what we want because we are fearful we will fail, or miss, or trip, or look silly. But by denying ourselves our dreams, we are actually inviting suffering and frustration in. Whenever I get caught up in my own head about making a decision to do something a little out there and risky, I ask myself this question, “Did I suffer (on any level) when I pushed the fear aside and went for what I wanted? The answer is ‘no.’ You will suffer more for not going for something then you will going for it.
*Also, if you haven't read this book, do it. It is such a simple but pointed story to inspire you.
"Write drunk, edit sober." -Peter De Vries.
I just love the implications. I’ve done this (though a glass or two in, not the definition of drunk, although I guess at that point it depends on who you are), and can attest to the results not being too bad. String-of-conscious-writing, when you’ve had a glass of wine, is actually very effective, I must say. This article adds hard research to back it up.
“If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.” -Benjamin Franklin
Bless you, Benjamin. We, of course, have other ways of remembering people now (photos, videos, ect) but you get his point. Once you’re gone from this world people will either read the words you yourself wrote or read the words someone else wrote about you. Bring on the legacy.
And, lastly, a travel quote.
"I travel a lot; I hate having my life disrupted by routine." -Caskie Stinnett
I love this quote. It sums up so perfectly why I can’t stop running off to different places. I think many people can relate that routine can get boring (especially right now…). Out of years lived, I usually hit this mark by year two and my eyes start to wander to whatever is next…
Do you have any quotes that you try to live by? Any that sum up who you are, your passions, or weirdness? Share them, I’d love to read them!
