Five Quotes To Make You Think

Quotes are a great way to capture powerful life lessons into pithy and memorable one-liners. So whenever I come across any quotation that catches my attention, I note it in my journal of quotes.   

Here are five messages from my ever-expanding cache of quotes that will make you think.

“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” 

Charles Darwin

If there’s someone who would know something about evolution, it would have to be Darwin. This message is a paraphrased conclusion from his 11859 Book Origin of Species. The core message continues to be relevant in our modern-day context too. We need to be open to change to stay relevant and thrive.

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Seneca

We make our own luck by being intentional about our goals. Have your elevator speech ready about who you are, your talents, and why you are valuable. You might just run into that one person who has been searching for you to give you a break you deserve.

“It does not matter how slowly you go, so long as you do not stop.”

Confucius

In this connected age, it’s sometimes hard not to fall into the trap of social comparison- Your old school friend has constructed a grand house, your college mate is an achiever, or your colleague seems to be living it up.

Don’t worry if you feel like you haven’t hit those high notes in your life yet. As long as you keep pushing forward, you’ll experience your peak achievements when the time is right.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” – Mae West

This quote is attributed to the American movie star who had a colorful entertainment career spanning seven decades.

YOLO has become a common phrase, particularly with the younger Gen Z and Millennials. One cannot deny that there is a lot to be said for it. You only live once, so better make the most of it. As you get older, you are likely to regret the things you did not do more than those you did do.

“Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” – Winston Churchill

Don’t let rejection knock you down. The best of us experience failure and rejection. There are times in our lives where we keep trying but to no avail. The secret is in keeping our head above water and staying enthusiastic.