How Stephen Hawking can change how you view the world (and yourself!)

Perhaps you haven't heard of Stephen Hawking. Maybe you have. Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest scientific minds of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A Cambridge-trained physicist and cosmologist, Hawking revolutionized humanity's comprehension of the universe.

What was remarkable about Hawking was how he could take such a crushingly complex subject as theoretical physics and explain it in terms that non-scientists (i.e., the public) could understand. That's an incredible feat in itself!

What was even more remarkable about Stephen Hawking was how he became one of the most prolific thinkers humanity has ever known, while also being paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, and unable to speak or move any of his limbs.

One would not be remiss to view Mr. Hawking's existence as tragic: A man of unparalleled brilliance, whose young life was decimated by disease, forcing him to become a living, breathing human 'vegetable.'

Strangely enough, Hawking achieved his full potential and changed the world forever after losing his ability to perform the most basic of human tasks: talking, moving, eating, etc.

What can one learn from Hawking? Well, quite a lot actually!

As counterintuitive as it may seem, Hawking's scientific expertise helped to shape a worldview that not only made complete sense, but could outright alter the course of one's life for the absolute better!

The following eight quotes from Stephen Hawking are not only jam-packed with unending wisdom but can also help someone reevaluate their perspective on life, achieving a life devoid of fear and brimming with purpose.

Without further ado, here are eight life-changing quotes from the brilliant Stephen Hawking:

1. "However difficult it may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at."

Life can be very challenging. In fact, it can often be downright heartbreaking. Yet, in the darkness, there is always a 'light' that can be found. In other words, no matter how bleak things may seem, there is ALWAYS a path forward! The challenge lies in discovering precisely what that path is!

There are many aspects of life that one can't control. That's ok. Life is set up that way. Instead of being emotionally paralyzed by situations beyond one's control, it makes far more sense to focus on what you can control.

When you shift your focus to the things and situations you can change, you have stumbled upon a critical aspect of success: you have inner power! You have the tools available to change what is bothering you. You are not just a helpless victim of circumstances. Instead, you are an inherently powerful force, and you can turn what is bad into something good!

2. "Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change."

This may come as a nugget of painful wisdom, but the only constant thing in life is change. Life is change. If it weren't, life wouldn't exist. You are not the same person you were when you were five. Your body is different; your mind is different. Everything about you has changed and always will be in a constant state of change. With this idea in mind, one can learn to refocus their mindset on the challenges that they face in life. Life is quite often very unpredictable. As stated earlier, one never has complete control over all aspects of life.

There are many variables that one cannot control. The flip side of that coin is that there are many conditions that one can learn to maintain, no matter how challenging they may appear. The trick here is to learn to be flexible. When one is adaptable and learns to accept challenges as an integral part of life, something extraordinary happens: You develop resilience - inner strength. Challenges don't faze you as much. Well, certain situations may not be enjoyable, but you accept them as they are, instead of becoming wounded by them.

You realize that the path forward lies with 'rolling with the punches.' In other words, one learns to keep themselves psychologically steady by being flexible in the face of what life throws at them and by developing a thicker shield of personal resiliency. This personal strength can manifest in many forms. One's mindset may change; they learn to change course and employ different strategies to reach their goals. Even a person's expectations for the outcome of a situation may be modified.

Regardless, what becomes evident is that through the adaptation (and acceptance) of change, one positions themselves closer and closer to discovering the critical traits needed for personal growth while aligning with the necessary tools to maintain survivability and reach higher levels of success.

3. "Life would be tragic if it weren't funny."

I can relate to this quote: Over a year ago, I was a newly minted college graduate with a business degree from a prestigious university. I was also a professional drummer, in demand by local bands, itching for my skills behind the kit. I also had just gotten a brand-new job and was kicking butt at it!

One day, I went to the local CVS to pick up some items, and I saw a woman with a cute little dog standing in line. Being the sucker for animals that I was (and still am), I decided to get down on my knees and pet the dog. For several minutes at that one seemingly innocuous point, my life changed forever: I tore the meniscus in both my knees. Boom! I lose all potential drumming opportunities. Then I lost my brand-new job. Then my dad became ill and had to go through multiple hospital stays and surgeries back-to-back. Three months later, I herniated a disc in my back and neck. One month later, I sprained both my ankles walking down a flight of stairs. Then my cat of 19 years suddenly died. Here I am: Unemployed, with thousands and thousands of dollars in college debt, unable to work or play music anymore, running from doctor to doctor, X-ray to X-ray, MRI to MRI.

Sounds tragic.

If you had said that to me 10 months ago, I would have agreed with you.

But something strange happened along the way.

I realized that, even though my current situation wasn't extraordinary by any means, if I could start to look at everything that happened as crappy but funny (in a dark humor sense), then what I was going through really wasn't that bad.

Call me crazy, it's ok. It may be bonkers to find humor in situations that seem dire.

However, I tried it. I was determined to find a silver lining amongst the seemingly unending darkness. I decided to learn, slowly and methodically, to find humor in my pain.

Moment by moment, day by day, I made a conscious effort to focus on being lighthearted and finding the humor and light in my everyday life. I made it a point to laugh and smile as often as I could, every single day. No matter how much physical or mental pain I was experiencing.

I always make it a top priority to stay in a lighthearted, joyous state. I began watching only funny TV shows and movies. I completely gave up reading the news. I stopped going on social media. I read books that taught positivity. I walked several miles a day. I meditated more. I lost over 60 pounds. I worked diligently to focus my energy on embracing wit and playfulness. Every day of my life was going to have joy, period.

This is the point Stephen Hawking was trying to make: Even during the darkest moments of life, one can find humor as a way to cope. By doing this, a person develops inner strength. They learn resiliency. Resiliency grows when a person aligns themselves with laughter and lightheartedness in the face of tragedy. The reality is that a situation is only tragic if you allow it to be.

Let me say that again: A situation is only tragic if you allow it to be.

Consciously adopting humor as an integral part of one's daily existence shifts a person's perspective from negativity to positivity. Thus, they can better manage the difficulties that life unceremoniously bestows on all of us. The key here is to "better manage" the challenges in life.

Will humor take away all the stress, trauma, and pain that life may cause? No, it won't. Will it lighten the burden of challenging situations, enabling one to better cope with them? Yes, it absolutely has that potential.

Look, if Stephen Hawking, a man who was deprived of his ability to move, speak, or eat for the rest of his life, couldlearn to see the humor in a complex, traumatic situation, you can, too!

I promise you, you can!

I did.

4. "People won't have time for you if you are always angry or complaining."

Nobody likes a Debbie Downer. That's a reality of life. It's one of the reasons why social media has become a dumping ground for people to boast and show off only the positive aspects of their lives. People pay attention to positivity; they turn away from negativity.

Ever notice how when you used to have Facebook or go on Twitter/X, your friends who always posted depressing stuff usually got far, far less attention than those, who posted seemingly positive things?

There is a reason for that: People pay attention to positivity; they turn away from negativity.

Except for watching, reading, or watching the news, humans generally don't like to be immersed in anything' negative.'That is especially true when dealing with other humans. People HATE being around negative people. Whether they are consciously aware of it or not, when someone is negative, i.e., they are angry and/or complaining, they are putting out bad vibes. Their energy is negative. They are being destructive to our health. Humans know that negative energy doesn't feel good to be around. So, they avoid it as much as they can.

That makes sense.

I think it does. Look, we like to feel good. Why are drugs and alcohol used (and often abused) so heavily? Why do people worship sex? Why is the fashion industry such a behemoth force of business? Why do people rush home from work at 5:00, just to be able to get a couple of hours or so of free time, to plop down in front of their TV, and stream their favorite show or movie, before going to bed, to wake up at the crack of dawn, to return to the drudgery of their day job?

People want to feel good. They want to be around others who make them feel good. Remember, this is instinctual. Most people aren't even necessarily aware that they do this.

Those who exude negativity create more of just that: negativity. Those who are consistently in a bad mood or ranting about their problems repel people with surprisingly little effort - those who rely on a negative state of being never achieve the joy of experiencing a positive life.

Life can be challenging enough. It usually is. The last thing a human desires to experience is being around others who remind them of that brutal fact.

The natural state of being of any living creature is one of joy. One needs to look no further than to observe children or even their pets.

Does your dog sit around, whining about how crappy their life is? Does a young child mope around, crying about how unfair and trivial certain people and situations are in their lives? The answer is NO! Children and animals play. They focus on having fun and enjoying themselves.

Granted, children don't have nearly the same level of day-to-day responsibility as a typical adult.

Still, that doesn't mean becoming an adult means you must view the glass as half-empty or half-full. It means that you need to find a purpose in life and pursue it, and hopefully come to a warm meal and a decent paycheck for your hard day's work.

One can be negative if they choose to be. After all, we all possess an infinite amount of free will, to say, do, or be what we like.

If one chooses to embrace negativity when dealing with others, don't expect much positive attention.

In fact, don't expect much attention.

Trust me, you won't get any!

As Stephen Hawking said, people will absolutely not have any time for you if you are in a foul mood.

Here's a gentle word of advice: Don't complain or act angry around others. Maintain an air of positivity and goodwill, and you are almost guaranteed to receive the same in return.

Remember, you only get what you give out in life. By giving out negativity, you will receive nothing but the same. When you give out positivity, you will receive more positivity.

That is the law of life.

5. "Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet."

Stephen Hawking believed that one's perspective [of life] was integral when navigating the challenges that life so often presents all of us. As a physicist, Hawking was keenly aware of the abundant vastness of the universe; the infinite amounts of stars, planets, galaxies, etc., that made up the cosmos.

While it is not necessary to focus on the "vastness of space," one can still adopt a 'big picture' perspective when navigating day-to-day life.

When one deliberately chooses to embrace a "bigger picture" mentality, life's challenges do not seem to be so heavy. This is because an individual views challenges as just a component of life, rather than a predominant aspect of life.

A person's perspective can then pivot towards a more positive thought pattern, embodying a natural curiosity for life rather than a feeling of dread or resentment. In other words, this enables a person to incorporate more positive, life-affirming thoughts and feelings centered on hope, creativity, and even a sense of purpose. An individual is aligned with the natural state of being positive. They see opportunity rather than always barriers; they move through life from a state of hope rather than a state of lack or fear.

There is an underlying sense of freedom when one begins to live life according to this way of thinking: Challenges are not really challenges; problems aren't so complex to overcome. There is a recognizable discovery of personal meaning and a sense of confident purpose [in life] when one deliberately chooses to overcome what is testing them. Thus, individuals are empowered by their own inner strength and will to rise rather than sink into defeat. They are aligned with their own inner strength and power!

6. "We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us very special."

Hawking believed in the power of humility. As a physicist, he knew the universe was infinitely vast. In perspective, we as humans are not the theoretical "center of the universe," so to speak. We are a small, small, small, small part of a cosmic puzzle that is almost beyond our complete comprehension.

While that may seem like a daunting perspective, it is quite the opposite: it is empowering. How so? Although we may be a small part of the "cosmic equation," we understand it. That makes us powerful. Unique. Special.

We are THE one species, out of millions of other species on this planet (and possibly other planets) that possesses the intelligence and creativity needed to comprehend the intricacies of life. We can reason: to explore life through a lens of curiosity and creativity. We have discovered that life has a meaning. It is not merely a matter of chance. Instead, there is an incredible, almost incomprehensible reason for the presence of life.

Thus, our potential as a species is basically infinite; our ability to acquire knowledge, be curious, and exude creativity is limitless.

What does this all mean?

As a human, you are special. But you are not the center of the universe. Thus, remaining humble is a key to living a substantial life. However, practicing humility does not mean 'playing small.' It is the exact opposite: You are a magnificent creation of immeasurable potential.

You are here for a reason, just like all the other billions of members of humanity. Even a small bit of humility is an admirable trait. In a broader sense, you have the natural talent to create an extraordinary life. We all do. Your potential is bottomless: you can conceive wonders.

It's up to YOU to tap into the natural potential that resides within you!

7. "However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do."

Like Hawking's first quote, life is never entirely hopeless. One can ALWAYS discover a path forward. Always. Even when circumstances seem horrific and daunting, one can always find a "light at the end of the tunnel." What is essential is that a person takes action.

Remember, it is not the size of the 'action' that matters; it is the act itself that counts. Any action, no matter how big or small, creates more action. The more action is performed, the more results are produced. Momentum is created, leading to the change one seeks.

Let's say that someone is unhappy with their weight. They can choose to be paralyzed by their present state and continue to suffer from feelings of sadness and a scarcity of self-esteem. Or they can take small steps to change their present circumstances.

They can start by exercising for a few minutes a day and gradually build up to longer workouts. They can begin making minor changes to their diet, like cutting out candy and sweets and eating more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. They can start prioritizing getting a little more sleep so their metabolism runs at its optimal level.

Anyone can begin to make small, small steps in a better direction. In fact, that is probably the best way to go. The key here is consistency. When one continually makes small steps for the best, guess what? Their challenges don't seem so challenging!

They begin to rewire their brains to see that what they thought was unattainable is really possible. Whatever obstacles were holding them back are easy to overcome. The trick here is to maintain action slowly (but methodically).

Remember, small, consistent steps lead to incredible results!

8. "Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it."

When I got injured last year, I suddenly found myself with too much time on my hands. I lost my job. Thus, all I had to look forward to was getting up in the morning, sitting around the house, watching television, and feeling sorry for myself and my predicament.

Was this a healthy way to live?

No, not at all. But this was the circumstance I found myself in. I had lost my purpose in life: Work and music. I was crushed; utterly devastated. However, after a while, when the sadness and depression started to become more and more severe, I realized that I needed to discover another purpose. This was the ONLY I could begin to dig myself out of the seemingly bottomless rut I was in.

So, I began to write. A little here; a little there. When I didn't feel like writing, I went for walks, to physically engage my body (and my mind). Soon, I began to walk more. I worked on my craft; I read books and practiced writing.

Although nothing really replaced the joy I had in playing music or going to work, I slowly began to discover a purpose: a real, tangible reason to get up in the morning. Bit by bit, I learned to adapt to life; to flow [with life] rather than to fight against it. I realized that purpose is malleable, like almost everything in life: it can change and evolve. What matters is that one keeps on moving forward, instead of reverting backwards or remaining stagnant.

Hawking was a strident believer in remaining both mentally and physically engaged in life. He believed that work was a healthy extension of life- it gave people a way to stay connected to the world around them. Without any physical or mental engagement, life became stagnant. It rang hollow and meaningless.

That is NOT a natural characteristic of life.

Life IS meaning. That 'meaning' is different for every single human soul. However, it is still present in every human being living on this planet! ANY work, whether professional, creative, or even just a personal hobby, adds focus to one's life. It creates fulfillment. People become engaged in what they are doing. When people are involved in 'working' for a purpose, they discover the "meaning" of their life; why they were given the gift of life! Individuals become unstoppable when they tap into the 'purpose' of their lives, unleashing their inner power!

When I lost my job and quit playing music, I felt powerless. I felt like I lost the purpose and meaning in my life. I am not going to lie to you; I still miss being a musician and working for the company I was at. I miss it more than I can tell you. However, I found a new meaning, a new purpose. One that may not be as glamorous as my 'old' purpose, but one that is still meaningful.

Humans need meaning in their lives. Without it, we feel lost. Without it, we are detached from a natural state of being. We deprive ourselves of achieving our full potential.

It doesn't have to be that way.

Stephen Hawking believed that ANY type of mental or physical work that creates meaning and purpose in an individual was necessary. Without it, humans languish. They suffer, weaken, and deteriorate.

It doesn't have to be that way.

You have a choice.

Find a purpose; find a meaning. No matter how big, small, glamorous, or unglamorous. Find a purpose; find a meaning.

Final Thoughts

Stephen Hawking lived an incredibly challenging life. His physical existence was diminished by disease. He was denied so many physical abilities that humans take for granted. Yet, in his darkest hours, he discovered his highest calling.

He became the best version of himself when he faced some of life's worst circumstances. This fact is significant: He learned to be his best when he was at his worst. We can internalize this lesson ourselves.

When life seems overwhelming, it may be a calling to step forward and reclaim your inner power. When life is at its worst, it is time for you to become your best.

That is why challenges exist: to push you forward and help you become all that you can be. To become the best version of you.

That is why life throws us obstacles: so that we can align with our true potential and become the unstoppable force of strength and power that we were always meant to be.

Thank you so much for reading this!

I sincerely appreciate you all!

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