Words to Live By

We all have secrets.  I have a secret little notebook that I carry with me.  It's smallish.  Maybe 3" x 4".  There's nothing special about it.  Except for what's in it.  Every time I come across something that motivates me... I write it down.  Over the years I've accumulated quite a little bit of inspiration that I can pull out when the going gets tough or I just need a little kick in the pants.  Things that inspire me might be lyrics from a song, or a quote from a article or famous person, or it might be something that my husband says out of the blue. 

As I fight the continuous battle to stay positive though some days I really just feel like crawling under the covers and sulking, I find myself turning the pages of this book more and more frequently.  It reminds me to 'suck it up buttercup' and to keep moving one day at a time.  I never cheat myself into thinking that things can't possibly get any worse.  (Trust me.  They can.)  I have to just take things where I'm at and do what I can to get by. 

Anyone who's followed my blog over the years has probably noticed a significant trend toward the negative in the last few months.  I promise I'm not bipolar, or manic-depressive, as my posts swing from relentlessly positive to down in the dumps.  It's simply my way of coping and trying to bring myself out of a bad mood.  I write to express my feeling, get them out in the open and then move on.

Today I wanted to share what inspires me.  Picks me up.  Motivates me.  Gets me out the door.  Puts a smile on my face.  And extend an invitation for you to share what inspires you.

Limitations are mental and self imposed.   Bob Moad, Edge Learning Institute

If you only had one shot, one opportunity, to seize everything you ever wanted, in one moment, would you capture it?  Or just let it slip?   Eminem


Normal, comfortable people rarely accomplish extraordinary things.  A Step Beyond


 

When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.

Pressure is nothing more than the shadow of great opportunity.  Michael Jordan


Real pain is sitting around all your life wondering what pain tastes like.  Samantha McGlone

Some people follow their dreams.  Others hunt them down and beat them mercilessly into submission.  Niel Kendall

I'm gonna ride that bitch like fucking Lance tomorrow.  Lieto better look out. 
Dan before IMAZ '10

I am not a 'good runner' because I am me.  I am a good 'me' because I am a runner.
Kristin Armstrong

When you want to be successful at something as bad as you want to breathe when someone is holding your head underwater, then you will be successful.  You must really want it with every fiber of your being. 

Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.  Hebrews 12:1


It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.  I want to know what you ache for.  It doesn't interest me how old you are.  I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.  I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine, and still shout at the edges of a lake, river, or mountain YES!  It doesn't interest me where you live or how much money you make.  I want to know if you can get up after a night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done for someone you love.  I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and truly like the company you keep in the empty moments of your life.   John Blais