Over the years I’ve been surrounded by some incredible teachers, mentors, friends, family members and even strangers who have all imparted little pearls of wisdom, whether they’ve realized it or not. They’ve all said certain things that have resonated with me. I’ve never forgotten them and as a result, I’ve had several light bulb a-ha! moments. Hearing them is like the missing puzzle piece and once heard, everything makes sense.

“You can’t ripen an apple by squeezing it.”

I love this, especially when I’m impatient about something or want something yesterday. It’s a great alternative to “everything happens when it’s supposed to.”

“If he’s not sweeping you off your feet, he’s using the wrong broom.”

I was told this when I was in a dead end relationship and was holding on for who knows what. A friend told me this and suddenly it all made sense. I was with the wrong person and I certainly wasn’t living a life of passion and fun.

“You’re having a bad day today. Tomorrow is a new day!”

This really put things into perspective and if I am having a bad day, I don’t beat myself up about it. I simply allow myself that day to wallow, or have low energy or just be mellow, but the next day, I wake up with a fresh mentality and treat the day with new energy. It really helps set my mind right.

“A year from now you will wish you had started today.”

This was really motivating in my weight loss journey and something I try to adapt into all my goals – career and health.

“No one ever regretted being kind.”

This is actually my quote that I use often, but its inspiration came from a motivational video I watched a few years ago. This guy was speaking about peoples regrets in life. It’s usually opportunities they missed due to fear of the unknown and when they were unkind to someone. It made me think back to times that I had been unkind to someone. It was in Grade 1 – I was so little and didn’t know any better. I was unkind to a girl in class and it is something I regret. Yes, even today when I think about it, it makes me cringe. It wasn’t anything awful – just 5 year old kid stuff, but I remember how it made me feel so bad for being unkind and from that day onwards I vowed I’d never want to make someone feel sad or feel the way I felt for being unkind. That video brought it all back and I created that phrase. Treat others the way you wish to be treated – and even if they don’t return the treatment, know that being the bigger person, might not be instantly gratifying, but it will always be the best and you’ll never regret your kindness.

“Surround yourself with people who get you.”

There are many variations, like “birds of a feather flock together” and “look at my friends and they’ll tell you who I am.” The more modern version is calling those people your “tribe.” It’s so incredibly true. I heard these types of sayings in high school and rolled my eyes at my parents, like a true teenager, I’m pretty sure it was followed up by a sighed “whatever!” As you get older, you do realize that the people you surround yourself with make a huge impact. Surrounding yourself with like minded, positive, uplifting people who have your best interests at heart can only be a good thing.

This isn’t a quote, but it’s a cartoon that is so powerful and I keep it as a beautiful reminder any time I feel like giving up. 

Do you have any pearls of wisdom that have altered your life?