Inspiring Thoughts
Favorite Quotes For Introspection

Although what I'm calling "inspiring thoughts" are actually inspirational quotes, I found that they're a wonderful source of wisdom that are perfect to use as a basis for deeper contemplation in looking at how we live our lives.

Take for example this quote:

Yesterday, we worried about things for tomorrow... yet tomorrow is now today.

How important were those things that you worried about yesterday now that today is really here? And, are you now worrying about tomorrow, today? Perhaps you should ask yourself why?

Isn't that just a crazy circle to keep turning around in?

A friend once asked me, "Do you remember what you were worried about one year ago today?" Truthfully, I could not. How about you?

These inspirational sayings and quotations are great for inspiring thoughts about how we live, how we behave, perhaps taking stock of the things we do or say to others.

Throughout each day, see how many other inspiring thoughts come to you, perhaps through magazines, newspapers, T.V., radio, friends, neighbors, co-workers or even just thoughtful ideas that "pop" into your head.

Whenever you come across an inspiring thought that really resonates with you, write it down in a quote journal to meditate on later in the evening. You may be surprised at the insight you receive about yourself.

Here are some great inspiring thoughts to get you started.

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

~John R. Wooden (1910 - )
A retired American basketball coach with 10 NCAA National Championships to his credit while coaching at UCLA.

"Life is an echo. What you send out--you get back. What you give--you get."

"Worry is like a rocking chair, it will give you something to do, but it won't get you anywhere."

~Anonymous
You'll find that this "Anonymous" person crops up a lot. No one has been able to identify who this person really is.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great."

~Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
Although best known by his pen name, Mark Twain, his real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He was an American humorist, satirist, lecturer and writer and is famous for his novels: The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

"A mature person is one who does not think only in absolutes, who is able to be objective even when deeply stirred emotionally, who has learned that there is both good and bad in all people and all things, and who walks humbly and deals charitably with the circumstances of life."

"In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility."

~Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 - 1962)
Married to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was the First Lady from 1933 to 1945.

"Never let yesterday use up too much of today."

~Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)
Rogers was an American comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer, and actor. He became an accomplished horse rider, and a little known fact is that he learned how to use a lariat so well, that he was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records for throwing--and looping--three ropes at once: one around he rider of the horse, one rope around the horse's neck, and the third rope around all four legs of the horse.

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

~Anne Frank (1929 - 1945)
During the German occupation of the Netherlands, Anne Frank (a young Jewish girl) and her family went into hiding in July of 1942 in Amsterdam. While in hiding, young Anne kept a diary which intimately described what daily life was like under Nazi occupation while attempting to remain concealed. The diary has since been published in many languages, while numerous films, television, and theatrical productions have also been produced. After 2 years in hiding, Anne and her family were betrayed and taken to the concentration camps, where Anne died of typhus seven months later. The only member of her family to survive was her father, Otto.

"Lost time is never found again."

~Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
Franklin was many things including: an author, political theorist, politician, printer, scientist, inventor, civic activist, and diplomat. What he's most famous for, however, is being one of the most important founding fathers of the United States of America with his signing of the Declaration of Independence. As an inventor, he gave many wonderful items such as the lightning rod, the Franklin stove, bifocal glasses, and the flexible urinary catheter, none of which he patented.

"Minds are like parachutes... they only function when open."

~Sir Thomas (Tommy) Dewar (1864 - 1930)
A Scottish whisky distiller, an enthusiastic and gifted thinker, and a salesman.

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."

"Believe not because some old manuscripts are produced, believe not because it is your national belief, believe not because you have been made to believe from your childhood, but reason truth out, and after you have analyzed it, then if you find it will do good to one and all, believe it, live up to it and help others live up to it."

~Buddha
A Buddha is any being who has become fully awakened (enlightened), and has experienced Nirvana.

"Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens."

~Carl Jung (1875 - 1961)
Jung was a Swiss psychiatrist, influential thinker, theoretical psychologist, and founder of analytical psychology. He explored the psyche by examining dreams, art, mythology, world religion, and philosophy. He believed that modern man relied too much on science and did not place enough emphasis on spirituality and the unconscious mind.

"Never think that you're not good enough yourself. A man should never think that. People will take you very much at your own reckoning."

~Anthony Trollope (1815 - 1882)
He was a successful and highly respected English novelist during the Victorian era. The British Broadcasting Corporation has made several television-drama serials based on his works.

"Some people believe that holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go--and then do it."

~Ann Landers (1918 - 2002)
Landers ran a successful syndicated advice column for 45 years called "Ann Landers." In reality, her real name was Esther "Eppie" Pauline Friedman Lederer. Her identical twin sister, Pauline Esther Friedman Phillips wrote the famous "Dear Abby" column as Abigail Van Buren.

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely."

~Auguste Rodin (1840 - 1917)
Rodin was a famous French sculptor and artist.

"Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton was the only one who asked why."

~Bernard Baruch (1870 - 1965)
Baruch was a successful American financier, stock market speculator, statesman, and presidential adviser.

"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius-- and a lot of courage-- to move in the opposite direction."

~Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879 – April 18, 1955)
A German-born theoretical physicist and one of the most famous scientists of the twentieth century. You can find more enlightening Albert Einstein quotes here.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

"Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny."

~Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)
Famous American author, essayist, poet, and philosopher.

"We often discover what will do by finding out what will not do; and probably he who never made a mistake never made a discovery."

~Samuel Smiles (1812 - 1904)
A Scottish author and reformer best known as a writer of self-help and biographical books on the achievements of "heroic" engineers.

"The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you. Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

~William Jennings Bryan (1860 - 1925)
As an American lawyer, statesman, and politician, he was a three-time Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States.

We all desire encouragement and inspiration as we proceed on our own unique journeys through life. Reading a variety of inspiring thoughts & quotations is a wonderful way to motivate your mind and provides encouragement to live the best life that you can.

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