“Even the most daring and accomplished people have undergone tremendous difficulty. In fact, the more successful they became, the more they attributed their success to the lessons learned during their most difficult times. Adversity is our teacher. When we view adversity as a guide towards greater inner growth, we will then learn to accept the wisdom our soul came into this life to learn.”

- Barbara Rose

“It is much, much worse to receive bad news through the written word than by somebody simply telling you, and I’m sure you understand why. When somebody simply tells you bad news, you hear it once, and that’s the end of it. But when bad news is written down, whether in a letter or a newspaper or on your arm in felt tip pen, each time you read it, you feel as if you are receiving the bad news again and again.” - Anonymous

“There comes a time when the world gets quiet and the only thing left is your own heart. So you'd better learn the sound of it. Otherwise you'll never understand what it's saying.” ― Sarah Dessen

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the courage to start all over again.” ― Eric Roth

When a thing is done, it's done. Don't look back. Look forward to your next objective.--George C. Marshall

“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” ― Marilyn Monroe

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” ― Maya Angelou

“Make the most of yourself....for that is all there is of you.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Know your history. Ideology is easily recycled and reapplied to a new set of victims.
 

When I was 21, I had just gone through a terrible breakup and was inconsolable. I remember going on vacation with a friend of mine to visit other friends in Philadelphia. I think I ruined the trip for my friend, because I was so depressed, for which I still feel terrible.

We were wandering in and out of shops in the city and we walked into a bar (lol, this isn't really a drawn-out joke, I promise). It felt like one of those moments that you'll remember all of your life. The bartender (an older man) turned to us and said, "Ladies, let me give you a piece of advice that you'll carry through life with you." For some strange reason, this really lifted my spirits. I thought this would be the life advice I needed.

He said, "Wherever you go...there you are," and then he laughed. I remember being SO disappointed in what he said. I don't know what I thought he was going to say, but that wasn't it. Whenever I hear that phrase now, it reminds me of how young and dumb I was.

“What good has impatience ever brought? It has only served as the mother of mistakes and the father of irritation.” ― Steve Maraboli

“Love can change a person the way a parent can change a baby- awkwardly, and often with a great deal of mess.” ― Lemony Snicket