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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what the most inspirational book/person/thing/quote etc was in your life?

142 replies

Fishface77 · 16/09/2017 10:19

My most inspirational quote actually came from mumsnet.
Not my circus not my monkeys.
It has stopped my over involvement in things which were affecting my life.

OP posts:
Lovewineandchocs · 16/09/2017 22:57

"If you're going through hell, keep going." I think it was Winston Churchill.

purplepixy · 16/09/2017 23:03

Happiness is not a destination, it's a way of life.

Also

The problem is not the problem, the problem is your attitude about the problem.

Magicmonster · 16/09/2017 23:05

'Most people are about as happy as they decide to be'

OhMyMirror · 16/09/2017 23:10

" I want something good to die for, to make it beautiful to live"
It's a line in a Queens of the Stone age song thats always stuck with me. I always liked it but didn't really "get" it until I had my kids.

SukiPutTheEarlGreyOn · 16/09/2017 23:18

'80% of success in life is just showing up' if you don't go to that interview/apply for that course/try out for that team then you're certain not to get it - but if you give it a go then you're in with a chance.

MothertotheLordsofmisrule · 16/09/2017 23:21

"You're pretty good at this game mum"

  • ds1 2017

Actually means a lot seeing as during the hell that is his teen years and CAMHS referrals we have found some common thread.

GoodEggGertie · 16/09/2017 23:30

Already been said but def

This too shall pass

No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should

&

It's the mistakes that make us

honeylulu · 16/09/2017 23:39

From my (late and beloved) grandfather, regarding opportunism: "if a boat comes along and no one is rowing ... get in and row".
I have since thought of this, and done it, several times in my career.
From Maya Angelou: "when someone shows you who they really are - believe them the first time". So so true!!!
Not sure where I heard this first but it's my life mantra: "You can rail against an imperfect world, or you can get on and do something about it."

Original poster
Fishface77 · 16/09/2017 23:47

So many fab quotes and so true.
Life really is what we make it.
My nan used to say we have to have bad times or we'll never know the good.

OP posts:
Bouncingbelle · 16/09/2017 23:50

My favourite is "its not about the cards you are dealt, its about how you play the hand." - I might have a few crap cards but i can always be a good player ;)

And "everything is ok in the end. If its not ok, its not the end." Helped me through many a dark night in 8 years of heartbreaking infertility. And i'll be sure my beautiful baby boy grows up knowing this.

UchimuraBabies · 16/09/2017 23:53

My university motto, Tuum Est, which my dad (who went to the same uni) always told me meant, 'If it is to be, it is up to me'.

Timefortea99 · 16/09/2017 23:59

Does it need saying, does it need saying now, does it need saying by me?

Most of the time the answer to the latter part of the question is no, not by me. I have a habit of fighting people's battles for them, this reminds me not to.

PomonaPalace · 17/09/2017 00:03

You know, sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you something great will come of it.
Benjamin Mee

I grit my teeth and do this a lot.

MaybeImJustTooDemanding · 17/09/2017 00:06

"It does not do to dwell in dreams and forget to live" (Dumbledore in The Philosopher's Stone)

Got me through some dark moments after the traumatic late miscarriage of DC3 and reminded me I was already lucky enough two beautiful children to live and be thankful for, whatever else happened.

alltheworld · 17/09/2017 00:07

Could this be moved to classics?

Original poster
Fishface77 · 17/09/2017 00:11

As I get older I get more emotional.

Another "inspirational thought" is that someone once told me that the French don't ask how old are you?
They ask how many years have you?

To me this shows how privileged we are t grow old.

OP posts:
VeraGrant · 17/09/2017 00:19

'The darkest hour is just before the dawn'. Holding onto that thought has helped me numerous times

KeepServingTheDrinks · 17/09/2017 00:22

for me it's "it's better to regret what you've done than what you haven't"

BlackStars · 17/09/2017 00:26

Can't stop the Spirits when they need you - This life is more than just a read through

everythingsucks · 17/09/2017 00:30

If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.

Martin Luther King Jnr

I never set much store by quotes as an adult. I came across this one however when things had got very tricky with my child with SN. It is a quote that keeps me going on days I want to hide in bed, in fights that feel relentless and futile, and pushes me to change things in my life rather than stagnate. The fight against disablism is exhausting and my child challenges me with their behaviour every day. This quote is hugely inspirational to me and it has made me a better person and mother. Sometimes thinking about this quote is the only thing that drives me forward.

ootlander · 17/09/2017 00:33

"Hope for the best, expect the worst" wise Children by Angela Carter

PomBearWithAnOFRS · 17/09/2017 00:35

"There's more to living than only surviving. I'm not there, but I'm still trying"

annandale · 17/09/2017 00:35

Sorry I have posted this before.

'If you can keep your head while all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, it's just possible you haven't grasped the situation' - reminds me to pay attention.

'Happiness is not a worthwhile aim in life and exists only as a byproduct of absorption' - Clive James. I think this is very true.

ootlander · 17/09/2017 00:36

Sounds not very inspirational but it's a good motto!
Also barefoof love the Crow and the "building burn, people die but real love is for ever" quote

chocolatemademefat · 17/09/2017 00:44

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent - Eleanor Roosevelt