This week a blogger named G Angela who blogs at Living A Life Of Gratitude invited me to do a three-day blogging quote challenge. Blogging challenges are something many bloggers do to help each other inspire ideas and new content. And since I’ve had a very busy (but enjoyable week), and I love quotes to begin with, I thought I’d take her up on it. Of course in true SMART Living 365 fashion, I’m adapting the three days of quotes into one. With that in mind, here are my favorite three quotes of all time–along with my challenge to three new bloggers I follow.
Quote #1
“Life is a daring adventure, or nothing.”
Whenever I am asked what my favorite quote is I always revert to this one by Helen Keller. However, that quote is just the end of a paragraph that is equally inspiring. It begins with, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is a daring adventure, or nothing.”
I think what makes this quote so very powerful to me is that it comes from a woman who lost her sight and hearing at 18 months old. Yet even with such a huge disadvantage Helen Keller went on to graduate with outstanding honors from Radcliffe College at the age of 24. Eventually she became an esteemed author, activist and humanitarian. That a woman in that day and age could succeed against overwhelming odds and become such a powerful voice for the betterment of others is inspiring for us all.
Quote #2
“To live well, to laugh often, to love much, to gain the respect of intelligent people, to win the love of little children. To fill one’s niche and accomplish one’s task, to leave the world better than one finds it whether by an improved flower, a perfect poem or another life ennobled. To never lack appreciation of earth’s beauty or fail to express it, to always look for the best in others, to give the best one has. To make one’s life an inspiration and one’s memory a benediction. This is success.”
The first time I read this quote I was a senior in high school and it helped me claim what I hoped would be my path in life. And although I was under the impression that this written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, there is now evidence that a very similar version was originally penned by a woman named Bessie A. Stanley in a book called Heart Throbs, Volume II in 1911. Regardless of its true author, it reminds me that a successful and happy life is much more than how much money a person has, how big a house, or indeed, how famous any of us becomes. This remains the best quote I have ever read about what makes a person a success.
Quote #3
“Every day you can choose to be happy, loving and live life to Its fullest. Remember, you get to make it up!”
The author of this quote is my husband Thom Gottberg and it remains one of my favorites. Back in the late ‘90s Thom and I created a local avant-garde spiritual community where we could freely explore and experience a wide variety of spiritual ideas and practices with others who were interested. For nearly 10 years we hosted weekly guest speakers from a wide variety of backgrounds with the belief that each of us should find and experience spirituality in a way that worked best for ourselves. Thom’s quote was a reminder of the choices we had and the responsibility that came with it. Although that group no longer meets, Thom’s quote continues to help guide my life.
So there you have it. These quotes continue to inspire me every day of my life. What about you? What is your favorite quote and why? Please share it in the comments below.
_______________________________________________________________________________
I am happy to take part in this Blogging Quote challenge. I challenge the following nominees to carry it forward in a way that works for them:
Leanne @ Cresting The Hill
Haralee @ Haralee.com
Lois @ The Eco-Grandma
Here are the directions about the 3-Day Quote Challenge that I received.
- Post one of your favorite quotes (different quote on each day) on three consecutive days. The quote can be from your favorite book, author or your own. Or make up your own schedule like I did!
- Nominate 3 bloggers to challenge them
- Thank the blogger, who nominated you.
Again, I thank G Angela @ Living A Life of Gratitude for nominating me for this challenge…
Fabulous quotes. At 5:30 on a Friday afternoon of a L-O-N-G and draining week, I can’t come up with diddly except this (it’s on a postcard I have near by desk): “I’m as happy as a seagull with a French fry.” Which I soon will be because it’s time for a glass of chardonnay!
Hi Roxanne! Your quote made me laugh! It is also such a good reminder that the quotes we love can redirect our thinking at any time–that’s why I think it is so important to have a handy list of them so we can pull them out when needed. I’m betting your quote ended up helping you have a great evening in the end. 🙂 ~Kathy
What a lovely idea… these are all great quotes, I love your husbands quote… “You get to make it up”, I like that 🙂
One of my favorite quotes is… When the world says “give up”, hope whispers “Try one more time”.
#MidLifeLuv
Hi Kimmie! Thank you for sharing your quote. I LOVE it. Never give up! ~Kathy
One of my favorite quotes is: “There is no agony like having an untold story inside you.
~Zora Neale Hurston”
As a writer, I am often led astray, away from my desk because of life’s little distractions. When I’m bursting to get the words down and can’t, it’s trying and nerve rattling, but eventually I do it. I still have many stories to tell and I love that about life.
Hi Valerie! I love your quote. I do believe that we all have something valuable to share with others and there is nothing worse than keeping that bottled up inside. In some ways I think us writers have it easy because we can sit down and write it out….but it is equally important for others who do any form of creativity, be it painting, gardening, singing, making music, cooking, etc. Thanks for reminding me of that with your quote…and keep sharing your story! ~Kathy
Very inspiring for me. I was very pleased to read your article. Nice article. Very helpful to me as a newcomer
Hi Noviar! Welcome to SMART Living and thank you for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. Please come back when you can. ~Kathy
Thanks Kathy, seems you are having good time… I like the first one “Life is a daring adventure, or nothing.”
Hi Avinash! Welcome to SMART Living and thanks for your comment. Yes, when life becomes routine and boring then I’ve never considered that much of a life. Stay adventurous! ~Kathy
These are wonderfully inspirational quotes, Kathy – each one of them speaks to me in a different way. Thank you so much for sharing!
Hi Laurel! Thank you. It was certainly one of the more fun and enjoyable posts to write. Did you do one yet? I think I saw you received an invitation as well. Good luck. ~Kathy
Oh, #2. That one is a keeper. Now just thinking of how I can artfully put it against a beautiful background and frame it. 🙂
Hi Laura! Oh I’m so glad to introduce you to one of my favorites. And yes, framing it and reading it on a regular basis can change your life. ~Kathy
Absolutely love all three of the quotes you have chosen here – especially the expanded version. While the snippet may be inspiring, seeing them in fuller context is even more so.
*applauding*
Hi Beverly! So glad you like them 🙂 And yes, it is so very important to remember that security is mostly an illusion regardless of what circumstance we find ourselves. Not easy of course, but it is much better than fighting with it all right? ~Kathy
Half the harm done in this world is due to people who want to feel important — T. S. Eliot
The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking. — John Kenneth Galbraith
To succeed in life you need three things: A wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. — Reba McEntyre
Hi Tom! Happy 4th of July! And thank you for your favorite quotes. I was actually thinking of inviting you to the challenge too but wasn’t sure if you ever did that on your blog. Now I don’t have to…. my favorite of yours is the 2nd…it made me laugh! ~Kathy
Great quotes, Thom’s quote is my favorite.
“Every day you can choose to be happy, loving and live life to Its fullest. Remember, you get to make it up!”
Cheers, Jane
Hi Jane! Welcome to SMART Living and thanks for your comment. And glad you liked Thom’s quote as much as I do. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy ! thank you for accepting this challenge, and I loved all the three quotes. Hellen Keller was always an inspiration for me and I love her quotes. I recall this quote written in bold letters and displayed in the schools to inspire students; truly life is an adventure … stands out a powerful statement. The second quote is something that I always wrote in a note book, and thought it was from Ralph waldo emerson… thanks for enlightening me. The third one is the best I totally agree with Thom that we have choice to be happy. Glad to read this post and thanks again for your generosity, and thanks for being an inspiration, its always a pleasure to read your posts..
Hi G Angela! No THANK YOU for the invite and the inspiration. Quotes are always fun and I do think they are a little window into what each of us thinks is valuable so thanks for that. I too love connecting with you especially knowing you are on the other side of the planet and yet we share many things in common. ~Kathy
Kathy, you picked wonderful quotes! Helen Keller is such an inspiration to me. When things have been difficult for me I would read some of her quotes and remind myself that I didn’t have any where the challenges she had so I would make it through the situation and overcome the challenge.
Thom is brilliant! I think so many are lost or depressed because they were convinced their life had to follow a particular path. They forget, or never knew, they could create a different life one day at a time.
I accept your challenge. 🙂 But it won’t be until Wednesday before I can post my favorite quotes.
Hi Lois! I’m glad that my quotes resonated with you too although I’m not surprised. We’ve been following each others blogs for a while now so I know we have a lot in common. No rush at all for answering the invitation. But I do look forward to reading your favorites. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy – I feel very honoured to be nominated to carry this on. I am a quote-aholic (I have gazillions of them on pinterest) so I’ll have to give it some thought to find my top three. I also love how you’ve done them as a one off and I think I might do the same! Love your quotes and that they reflect your positive perspective on life (you are my inspiration in that area!) ~ Leanne
Hi Leanne! Great! I was hoping you’d find this fun. You do post more than I do so I thought this might fit in somewhere and now that I know you are a quote-aholic it should be really easy. I’m looking forward to the ones you post. ~Kathy
OMG, is this new digital version of the chain mail letter. Is someone going to die if this chain is broken. 😉
That said, there is only one quote I live by: “The more I learn, the less I know” its loosely based on socrates
Hi Diyblogguy! hahahaha! No this is not a “chain letter post!” Absolutely NO ONE will die if they break the chain..but if they keep it up they just might get happier! ~Kathy
Great quotes, Kathy! I’ve loved the Helen Keller one as well, but had never read the expanded version. Thank you for sharing!
Hi again. Love the comments! …Just wanted to say that I accidentally unsubscribed to the comments on the post. Whups! So I’m leaving this message here to hopefully get back on the notify list. 🙂
A few of my favorites:
“Alas for those who sing but never but die with all their music in them” – in other words what are you waiting for? Get out there and do it!
“Life is like a coin – you can spend it any way you want but you can only spend it once”
“Not all who wander are lost” – for those of us who like to wander with no set destination in mind just for the sake of wandering.
🙂
Hi Dave! I love your quotes too although I do have to admit the third one is more of a reminder to me than one I live by! 🙂 As a big time planner I appreciate knowing that wandering can also be a wonderful experience as well. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, Great quotes! I love all of them. Helen Keller’s is one I can relate to. I’ve had health issues all my life and, especially when I was younger, I avoided adventure. I was afraid to get hurt, laughed at, etc. Afraid to take chances. I regret that very much, although I’ve learned to move on and concentrate on now, not then. Concentrate on living life on my own terms and enjoying it very much. As someone else mentioned (sorry, I can’t find the message now, so I can’t mention you by name 🙁 ), she was deaf and blind but that didn’t stop her. Amazing woman!
Also the second quote–I absolutely love Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much. It’s a favorite quote of mine. To see it in this extended quote was lovely. I think laughing sticks out as my favorite of the three. All are wonderful to aspire to, but laughing, oh my! It feels so good to experience a good belly laugh! If something makes me laugh from deep down inside, I’m grateful. It is the best cleansing agent out available, in my book.
I love your husband’s quote too. The last part inspired me. You get to make it up. Every moment you decide how it goes. Well, some things may get in your way, but basically you can choose how your day goes by having a good attitude about it. Not everything will go peachy all the time, but if your attitude is positive and forgiving, you’re good.
I also love quotes mentioned by others in the comments: Laura Lee’s, Michelle’s–wonderful! And Lizzie Lau’s Mark Twain quote–love it!
I would say my favorite quotes are:
“Live well, laugh often, love much,” “If you can dream it, you can do it,” Walt Disney, I believe, and one other one that I have paraphrased here–“Be kind to those you meet throughout your days. You never know what struggles they are dealing with.”
Thanks for the great post, Kathy!
Hi Amy! Thanks for jumping in here with your quote by Walt Disney (which I love by the way!) and your thoughts about all the rest. One of the best things about quotes is that you can read them and just like saying certain affirmations are immediately lifted up. ~Kathy
Great quotes!
One of my all time faves: ” We do not laugh because we are happy . . . we are happy because we laugh.”
And “Live. Love. Laugh. Learn.”
Hi Nancy! YES! Thank you for adding yours to the mix. They are SO important to remember every day. ~Kathy
I have lived by the Helen Keller quote, it has always been one of my favorites.
Another one I LOVE:
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain
Hi Liz! YES! I love that quote too. It’s definitely on my top 10! Thanks for sharing it. ~Kathy
How interesting–#2 is one I also found in high school and has inspired me all my life.
Hi Cynthia! I am not surprised that you found this one about the same time as me as well. All of us midlife women have LOTS in common. ~Kathy
What a woman Helen Keller was! Such a truly remarkable life.
The ‘success’ quote is one that I had up on my wall for the longest time, Kathy. It is so reflective of my own ‘goals’.
I had no idea about the spiritual community you had – how wonderful it sounds. Thom and you must make a formidable couple! I mean that in the best way possible. 🙂
Hi Corinne! Thank you….yes we did have a very wonderful community for a while and it was difficult to let it go. But I think for all of us that when our guidance tells us it is time to move on and do something different it is best to listen to it, don’t you think? Now with my blog and other writing I have created another sort of community that is even more important to me. And yeah, Thom is my partner in this too. 🙂 ~Kathy
All great quotes! I have so many favorites of my own, I’m not sure how to choose… But here’s one:
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Hi Michelle! Oh yes, Ghandi’s quote is VERY high on my list too. Thanks for adding it here. ~Kathy
I love these quotes Kathy. Especially the one by Helen Keller she has always been a hero to me. The fact that she accomplished all that she did is just amazing. We can all learn so much from her.
Hi Rena! Thank you. Helen was an amazing woman wasn’t she. Regardless of what is going on, she reminds me that staying as optimistic as we can is a good thing. ~Kathy
Thank-you Kathy, I will give it my best.
Your put together inspiring quotes!
I always thought that quote and so many lines repeated from that one paragraph was attributed to Emerson. I was not aware of a possible plagiarism or maybe a relationship? I will have to look it up. As always, food for thought!
Hi Haralee! Yes! I was equally surprised to see that even those in the Emerson camp admitted that he hadn’t said that exact quote–although he did upon many occasions make similar statements. Of course I couldn’t help but wonder if one of the reasons that statement was so easily accepted as Emerson’s was because it came from a woman? We’ll never know. Regardless is it remains a quote I refer to often in my life. And I look forward to reading your quotes soon too. ~Kathy
What a GREAT idea Kathy! I also love great quotes so much so that I don’t believe I could possibly narrow my favorites down to three. This one has been a theme as I changed husbands, careers, and now homes in the past ten years: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” Thanks Wayne Gretzky
Hi Laura Lee! Thank you for that great quote by Wayne Gretzky! It is also one of my favorites. ~Kathy