Maria Shriver

Wonder Words: Ten Inspirational Quotes

By Kristy Campbell

Ever since I was a young girl, I've loved reading quotes. I remember one Christmas when I was in junior high school, my father gave me the Bartlett’s Book of Quotations. The book seemingly weighed 20 pounds and had over 25,000 quotes from 2,500 sources, and I spent the day curled up with it. I still have the book and occasionally find myself flipping through the pages looking for inspiration. Somehow glimpsing into the mind of others has always been a comfort to me. I figure if Gandhi had something to say about reaching my full potential or Martin Luther King had an insight into overcoming adversity, there is the reality that my concern is not only a shared issue but also something that can collectively be solved.

At the moment, I’m facing a set of challenges which have culminated in my needing to move back home with my parents while finding a new path for myself and my five children. My current path is not easy, and I often find myself wondering if I am strong enough to make it work, but then, as I’ve always done, I find words that give me the inspiration to keep moving through my challenges.

I’ve ventured beyond my Bartlett’s source these days and now also look for motivation on t-shirts, bumper stickers, in songs, and even from my son’s swim coach, Sam. I recently asked him how he keeps a team of 100 kids aged 6-18 motivated. His secret? A website that offers quotes and videos to get your head in an affirming space - www.ifeelunmotivated.com. I’ve put together a list of my ten current favorite quotes.

1. "Carrying a grudge is like swallowing poison and expecting the other person to die."  - Anonymous
2. "You can’t change your past but you can control its effects on your future." - bumper sticker
3. "A woman is like a tea bag. You cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water." - Nancy Reagan
4. "Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase." - Martin Luther King Jr.
5. "For everyone of us that succeeds, it’s because there’s somebody there to show you the way out." - Oprah Winfrey
6. "The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems." - Mahatma Gandhi
7. "If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
8. "You can’t build a reputation on what you are going to do." - Henry Ford
9. "Nothing is impossible. The word itself says, ‘I’m possible’!" - Audrey Hepburn
10. "I am on my way. I can go the distance. I don’t care how far. Somehow I’ll be strong. I know every mile, will be worth my while. ”I Can Go The Distance.” - Hercules (Disney)

What are some of your favorite quotes?

Kristy Campbell is a writer, actress, and mom of 5. Her column, "Saving The World One Teen At A Time," appears on Mommytracked.com. She also contributes ModernMom.com and The Huffington Post. Her thoughts on modern midlife are offered in her blog, "Juggling On The Journey." You can find her work at www.kristycampbellcreative.com.