Someone once told me that there are four different types of people in this world — lifters, thrusters, weights, and drags. Lifters are people who lift you up when you spend time with them. You feel good about yourself when you leave that person. Thrusters are people who encourage you to be a better person. You are challenged to change when you leave that person. Weights are people who bring you down with the weight of his or her problems. You spend most of your time trying to fix their issues. And drags are people who bring you down to their level. You spend time commiserating with their victimhood, while being persuaded to dislike all the people, places, and things that bring “problems” into their life.
In some of my most difficult times, ironically, I have found myself surrounded by mostly weights and drags, and not enough lifters and thrusters in my life. I was missing very people who would tell me what I need to hear over what I want to hear, and support me along the way. When I find myself alone, and the people around me are not the most supportive, I’ve taken to internalizing and applying words of wisdom from others who’ve been down a similar path and turned their “lemons into lemonade”.
These are some of my favorite quotes that have helped me adjust my perspective and transform difficult, stressful situations into an opportunity to lean into the present moment. They cause me to ask myself, “How can I use this situation to create good in the world, beginning with myself?”
“I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.”
—Brené Brown
“The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”
—Confucius
“Smile. Breathe. And go slowly.”
—Thich Nhat Hanh
“Some of us think holding on makes us strong; but sometimes it is letting go.”
—Hermann Hesse
“My need to solve the problem is the problem.”
—Unknown
“We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
—Joseph Campbell
“If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.”
—Pema Chodron
“Don’t settle: Don’t finish crappy books. If you don’t like the menu, leave the restaurant. If you’re not on the right path, get off it.”
—Chris Brogan
“I’m choosing happiness over suffering, I know I am. I’m making space for the unknown future to fill up my life with yet-to-come surprises.”
—Elizabeth Gilbert
“Grace means that all of your mistakes now serve a purpose instead of serving shame.”
—Mike Rusch
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.”
—Eleanor Roosevelt
“You can’t always control what goes on outside. But you can always control what goes on inside.”
—Wayne Dyer
Graphics by: Hanna Snyder