45 Inspirational, Motivational Quotes for our Time

I am a big fan of inspirational quotes. I have them posted around my office and often share the ones that resonate with friends and family. These quotes have the power to shift my perspective and motivate me to take action. With that in mind, I’ve gathered some quotes that I hope will inspire you as well.

Harnessing the Power of Inspirational Quotes to Motivate Change

In our journey through life, we often encounter moments that demand resilience, optimism, and an unwavering belief in ourselves. Inspirational quotes from famous individuals have the remarkable ability to uplift our spirits, foster positivity, and inspire transformative change. By adopting these motivational quotes as personal mantras, we can navigate life’s challenges with renewed vigor and an initiative-taking mindset. Let us delve into some profound meaningful quotes that can serve as beacons of light and motivation.  Here are the first ten: 

• Maya Angelou, a beacon of wisdom and strength, once said, “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” This simple yet powerful message encourages us to radiate positivity and kindness, especially in the lives of those who may be struggling. By being a source of support, we can create ripples of positivity that extend far beyond our immediate interactions.
• The Dalai Lama emphasizes the importance of vision in fostering positive actions: “In order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision.” This quote underscores the idea that our thoughts shape our reality. By cultivating a positive mindset, we lay the foundation for constructive actions that can lead to significant personal and communal growth.
• Rachel Carson’s quote “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts” evokes a sense of connection with the environment.  It emphasizes how moments of awe and appreciation for the Earth’s beauty can replenish the soul and fortify one’s resolve.  Carson underscores the therapeutic and invigorating power of nature. 
• Helen Keller, who overcame immense personal challenges, offers a timeless piece of advice: “Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” This metaphorical guidance reminds us to focus on the good and maintain an optimistic outlook, even when faced with adversity. 
• Walt Disney inspires dreamers with his declaration, “If you can dream it, you can do it.” This quote is a testament to the power of imagination and determination. It encourages us to pursue our personal goals relentlessly, confident in the belief that our aspirations are within reach if we commit ourselves fully. The hard work will pay off.
• Anne Frank, whose diary remains a symbol of hope and resilience, wisely observed, “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” This quote empowers us to take immediate action in making a positive impact. It reminds us that we have the agency to initiate change at any moment, no matter how small our actions may seem.
• The transcendentalist Ralph Waldo Emerson invites us to embrace each day with a positive affirmation: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.” This mindset fosters gratitude and an initiative-taking attitude, encouraging us to find joy and opportunity in every new day.
• Oprah Winfrey celebrates the power of gratitude and recognition: “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” By acknowledging and appreciating the good in our lives, we attract more positive thinking and create a cycle of continuous celebration and fulfillment.
• Roy T. Bennett challenges us to recognize our own potential: “Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of more than you imagine.” This quote is a powerful reminder of our inner strength and capabilities. It inspires us that breaking free from self-doubt is the only way to pursue our goals with confidence.
• Audrey Hepburn encapsulates the essence of possibility with her clever play on words: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible!’” This optimistic perspective encourages us to view challenges as opportunities and to approach insurmountable obstacles with a can-do attitude.

 And 35 More Inspirational, Motivational Quotes

1. “A Person Who Never Made A Mistake Never Tried Anything New.” – Albert Einstein   

2. “Although The World Is Full Of Suffering, It Is Also Full Of The Overcoming Of It.” – Helen Keller

3. “And Once The Storm Is Over, You Won’t Remember How You Made It Through, How You Managed To Survive. You Won’t Even Be Sure Whether The Storm Is Really Over. But One Thing Is Certain. When You Come Out Of The Storm, You Won’t Be The Same Person Who Walked In. That’s What This Storm’s All About.” – Haruki Murakami

4. “Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness; Only Light Can Do That. Hate Cannot Drive Out Hate; Only Love Can Do That.” – Martin Luther King Jr

5. “Fight For The Things That You Care About But Do It In A Way That Will Lead Others To Join You.” – Ruth Bader Ginsberg

6. “Happiness Is Not Something Ready Made. It Comes From Your Own Actions.” – Dalai Lama:

7. “How Lucky I Am To Have Something That Makes Saying Goodbye So Hard.” – A.A. Milne (Winnie The Pooh)

8. “I Raise Up My Voice—Not So That I Can Shout, But So That Those Without A Voice Can Be Heard. We Cannot All Succeed When Half Of Us Are Held Back.” – Malala Yousafzai

9. “In The Middle Of Difficulty Lies Opportunity.” – Albert Einstein   

10. “It Is Not The Length Of Life, But The Depth Of Life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

11. “I’ve Learned That People Will Forget What You Said, People Will Forget What You Did, But People Will Never Forget How You Made Them Feel.” ” – Maya Angelou

12. “Offering A Hand Up Is Not A Handout.” – Clara Barton

13. “One Of The Criticisms I’ve Faced Over The Years Is That I’m Not Aggressive Enough Or Assertive Enough, Or Maybe Somehow, Because I’m Empathetic, It Means I’m Weak. I Totally Rebel Against That. I Refuse To Believe That You Cannot Be Both Compassionate And Strong.” – Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister Of New Zealand

14. “Spread Love Everywhere You Go. Let No One Ever Come To You Without Leaving Happier.” – Mother Theresa

15. “Success Isn’t About How Much Money You Make; It’s About The Difference You Make In People’s Lives.” – Michelle Obama

16. “The Best Thing One Can Do When It Is Raining Is To Let It Rain.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

17. “The Best Way To Predict Your Future Is To Create It.”- Abraham Lincoln

18. “The Key To Realizing A Dream Is To Focus Not On Success But On Significance – And Then Even The Small Steps And Little Victories Along Your Path Will Take On Greater Meaning.” – Oprah Winfrey  

19. “The More That You Read, The More Things You Will Know. The More That You Learn, The More Places You’ll Go.” – Dr. Seuss:

20. “The Most Difficult Thing Is The Decision To Act; The Rest Is Merely Tenacity.” – Amelia Earhart

21. “The Reality Is That You Will Grieve Forever. You Will Not ‘Get Over’ The Loss Of A Loved One; You Will Learn To Live With It. You Will Heal And You Will Rebuild Yourself Around The Loss You Have Suffered. You Will Be Whole Again But You Will Never Be The Same. Nor Should You Be The Same Nor Would You Want To.” – Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

22. “There Are No Constraints On The Human Mind, No Walls Around The Human Spirit, No Barriers To Our Progress Except Those We Ourselves Erect.” – Ronald Reagan

23. “To Live In Hearts We Leave Behind Is Not To Die.” – Thomas Campbell

24. “What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?” – Sheryl Sandberg

25. “When We Are No Longer Able To Change A Situation, We Are Challenged To Change Ourselves.” – Viktor E. Frankl

26. “You Gain Strength, Courage, And Confidence By Every Experience In Which You Really Stop To Look Fear In The Face. You Are Able To Say To Yourself, ‘I Lived Through This Horror. I Can Take The Next Thing That Comes Along.’” – Eleanor Roosevelt

27. “A Mountain Is Composed Of Tiny Grains Of Earth. The Ocean Is Made Up Of Tiny Drops Of Water. Even So, Life Is But An Endless Series Of Little Details, Actions, Speeches, And Thoughts. And The Consequences, Whether Good Or Bad Of Even The Least Of Them Are Far-Reaching.” – Swami Sivananda

28. “Being Powerful Is Like Being A Lady. If You Have To Tell People You Are, You Aren’t.” – Margaret Thatcher

29. “I Think The Things You Regret Most In Life Are The Things You Didn’t Do.” – Steve Jobs

30.  “In The End, It’s Not The Years In Your Life That Count. It’s The Life In Your Years.” – Abraham Lincoln

31. “It’s Kind Of Fun To Do The Impossible.” – Walt Disney

32. “The People Who Are Crazy Enough To Think They Can Change The World Are The Ones Who Do.”” – Steve Jobs

33.  “The Real Test Is Not Whether You Avoid Failure Because You Won’t. It’s Whether You Let It Harden Or Shame You Into Inaction, Or Whether You Learn From It; Whether You Choose To Persevere.” – Barack Obama

34. “The Season Of Failure Is The Best Time For Sowing The Seeds Of Success.” – Paramahansa Yogananda

35. “Vulnerability Is Not Winning Or Losing; It’s Having The Courage To Show Up And Be Seen When We Have No Control Over The Outcome.” – Brené Brown