8 Powerful Quotes To Shape Your Life

Do you need some quotes to live by? Check out some that have shaped my life!

1. “Tenderness is the new punk.” –Joachim Trier

Jocahim Trier is a Norwegian director who recently visited my university to discuss his latest film, “Sentimental Value.” He is incredibly inspiring, and I highly recommend all his movies.

When I heard Trier say this line, it truly touched me. I immediately wrote it down. To make a change, we must be more tender and compassionate. Our resilience in the face of things we disagree with should be to act with care and love in our hearts. 

2. “The Earth is what we all have in common.” –Wendell Berry

Everything we know now – and will ever know – comes from our planet. We need to treat our home with kindness and care.  It’s the one thing every living thing shares. No differences really matter irrelevant when you realize that we all share a home.

3. “None but ourselves can free our minds.” –Bob Marley

While it might seem like we have very little control over our lives, we can actually control many things. We can control our reactions, thoughts, feelings, desires, and bodies. It is truly a blessing and a wonder. 

The government may think it can brainwash its people, but it can never imprison our thoughts.

4. “All you have to do in life is be passionate and enthusiastic, and you will have a good life.” –Steve Irwin

Sometimes, I feel guilty for majoring in film because I could be doing a million other – and, arguably, more beneficial – jobs. However, film is my passion, and I believe every person on this planet has the right to follow their dreams. We only have one life, so make it the happiest.

5. “Age is not an excuse to feign ignorance.” –Camille Delaney

I wanted to include a quote from myself because I really do live by it. I’m only 18. How many times have you heard someone young put the word “only” with their age? I am tired of young people using their age as an excuse to not be educated and to not care about the world’s problems. Enjoying your youth should not be synonymous with ignorance.

6. “Don’t let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” –-Dalai Lama

It’s important to protect our inner peace because it leads to an enriched life. We can not allow people we do not even like to bring hate into our hearts. Whoever has hurt or bothered us does not deserve to see us lose our peace. 

7. “To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.” –Pope Francis

Pope Francis, the previous Pope,  was an incredible man. I am in no way, shape, or form a religious person, but I strongly believe that we need to be kind to everyone to make the world a better place. Defeat hate with compassion. 

8. “Not everyone lives, but everyone dies. Choose to live and die rather than to die knowing you never gave yourself the chance to live.” –Camille Delaney

Yes, it’s me again. I came up with this quote when I was 15, during a rather dark stage of my life. I realized that I was going to die. It seems like a minute detail, but people go their whole lives denying the inevitable. As most people do, I spiraled after realizing that. However, I pulled myself together.

You are going to die. Don’t fight it or think about it. Accept it. Live passionately, fiercely, unapologetically. Wear clothes that you really like. Fall in love. Get your heart broken. Write a book that you don’t intend on having anyone read. Travel the world. Get a job you really love. Quit when you stop loving it. 

Your mistakes won’t be written in history books. Learn to laugh at yourself. Never feel embarrassed. Die knowing that you lived the best life you possibly could.

I hope these quotes inspired you.

Photo by Brynna Spencer on Pexels