4 Life Quotes That Will Change the Way You See The World Forever

I am a great admirer of quotes. They carry a tremendous amount of wisdom in just a few lines. It truly amazes me how someone can distill so much information into something so powerful. It triggers something within us, makes us think, and inspires us to take action.

Changing yourself doesn’t mean becoming a different person, it simply means working on improving yourself to become better; learn how to have higher self-awareness, cultivate a stronger mindset. Cultivating a conscious mindset.

I’ve collected a few quotes that I come back to from time to time. Whenever my life isn’t aligned, or I am feeling depressed, or simply want to reflect on the beauty of life, I read them. These words and wisdom have crossed all borders and continue to stand the test of time. There is great beauty in these words and has influenced and inspired people throughout the years. I have categorized them depending on my emotional/mental state.

1. “Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else’s hands, but not you.” — Jim Rohn

We are faced with so much noise in life that sometimes it’s easy to get lost in it. In the age of social media, it is very hard to not know what others are doing. It can make us feel as if we are not doing enough. And that creates a lot of anxiety. This is the only reason why people are struggling with FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out). Everything and everyone is connected; boundaries and distance are words of the old language.

The key is to stay focused. In moments like that, the above lines help us realize that we have to do what we wish to do. If you wish to make music in your life, you must tune out the noise. Find strength in ignoring what derails you from your focus of becoming better and moving forward in reaching your potential.

2. “Man. Because he sacrifices his health in order to make money. Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health. And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present the result being that he does not live in the present or the future; he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.” — Dalai Lama

The above lines reverberate over & over in my mind like I was between two gongs and someone was slamming them both with the force of a freight train. Dramatic imagery, I know, but that’s how it felt.

I had this reaction because it was like everything that I thought I “knew” was turned upside down and shook empty like a jar of pennies. It makes me realize that I am too busy in the race to earn money and I need to take a break and think about what I am doing. It brings back my childhood memories when I never cared about anything but fun. Every activity was done with only one thing in mind, FUN!

If we try to approach life with a “now or never” attitude, we would be able to live a more fulfilling life. Not planning much for the future and enjoying the precious moments.

3. “Realize that you are not your belongings. You are your kind words, your graceful mannerisms, your beautiful personalities, your unique quirks, your contagious humour, your unforgettable stories, your grand ambitions, your noble accomplishments, your heroic hopes and dreams, your unshakable ability to rise to the challenge. You are all these things. Above all you are a human being.”

Many of us admire self-criticism. We view this trait as a strong testimony for scrupulousness, honesty, responsibility, and integrity. Beating yourself up over a lack of success or declaring yourself a hopeless cause leads to unhelpful feelings like shame and resentment. And it can lead to unproductive behavior like staying inside your comfort zone.

If I feel that I am currently drifting through the cloud of uncertainty, if I feel lost in the background, if I feel hopelessly stuck in life, if I feel alone, if I feel hurt, I read the lines above. It helps me take a step back and gives me hope to start again.

Turning failure into a catastrophe isn’t helpful. Keeping failure in a perspective and choosing to be grateful for what you have is definitely relieving. Whether it’s your health or having a roof over your head, there are always things to be thankful for.

4. “How far you go in life, depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life, you will have been all of these.” — George Washington Carver

An all-time classic. No matter at what stage in life you are, this will ring a bell. Treat others as you would like others to treat you, not just your peers and friends, but everyone around you. Relationships function like a mirror, eventually, that change will reflect back onto how you are treated.

The best way to start is being grateful and by writing a thank-you letter to your friends and family, expressing your enjoyment and appreciation of having them in your life. Tell them their impact on your life. Make a habit of sending at least one gratitude letter a month. Once in a while, write one to yourself.

The purpose here is not only to have compassion, sympathy, and tolerance but also to remind us to take responsibility for what we do in the brief time we have here.