Top 10 Inspirational Quotes That Mean Something to Me

If there is something to be said about one of my sister’s (again, names don’t get dropped here often), she knows how to give me great ideas. She loves the lifestyle pieces so she is always a beacon for ideas in that arena.

Months ago when I asked for topics, she said top 10 inspirational quotes that mean something to me. They may come way later than people ask, but if I like an idea, I will tank them for a rainy day…basically days where I can’t think of anything.

I am a sucker for good quotes. Here are my top personal favorites…

10. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about the things that matter.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I am bold, vocal and a mouthpiece for things that need to be said even when people are scared to say it. I am not afraid to voice my opinions. I don’t like sitting idly by and just letting things happen without voicing my displeasure. In deeper meaning of this quote, I will never bite my tongue on human rights or things that I believe matter. If I see someone being attacked for their religion, the color of their skin or any form of prejudice, the person doing it can get bent. I may not change the world in my lifetime, that doesn’t mean I won’t speak my mind.

One of the biggest problems I believe the older generations have are silence. Growing up, it always seemed that politics and religion should never be talked about. Quite honestly, I believe the opposite. If you want to move the needle, it starts with having uncomfortable and important conversations with your friends and family. Conversation with an open mind leads to change. It leads to understanding.

Just recently, I texted some friends saying how I hate when people will say or post something political on social media and then insinuate it’s their opinion and they weren’t looking for an argument. I think that is short-sighted, ignorant, oppressive and a real weak mentality to have. If you were willing to state the opinion, then be willing to back it. Otherwise, just don’t say it. So either be a voice or be silent if you’re not willing to have the conversations or have the conversations. Stop trying to have your cake and eat it. It’s weak and pathetic.

9. “You ought to spend a little more time trying to do something with yourself and a little less time trying to impress people.” -Principal Vernon, The Breakfast Club

Do what makes you happy. Don’t go with a flow of being what people expect you to be. I put myself out there in this blog. I put myself out there with my business. I put myself out there in day to day conversations. If people don’t like me for who and what I am, fine. I am not here for you. I got one life on this Earth and I am damn sure not wasting a minute trying to be something I am not. Again, do what makes you happy.

Although the clip below is not the actual quote, I figured I would take the opportunity to share the best ending to any movie ever. Ironically, it was the person Vernon told that quote to who ends up with the girl in the end. The still shot of Bender fist in the air always hits hard.

8. “Guttenburg’s generation thirsted for a new book every six months. Your generation gets a new web page every six seconds. And how do you use this technology? To beat King Koopa and save the princess. Shame on you. You deserve what you get.” -George Feeny, Boy Meets World

Hey Facebook Community…read this. Read it again. Then again. Then again. Then again. Read it until this is embedded in your brain. The fact this quote came out probably 20 years ago and is still relevant pisses me off to no end. There are certain people I see constantly posting illegitimate and downright false information on social media. You have a world of information at your fingertips, use it accordingly. We live in a day and age where you don’t even have to be intelligent to be informed.

One of the funniest things I have heard from a few people over the last few weeks is that I am a know-it-all. You may have seen the screenshots from the fool in the FB group I am part of. He insinuated I lost my previous job because I am know-it-all when in reality, I left on my own terms. He couldn’t handle the information I was giving to him. He couldn’t answer for his own opinions. Therefore he lacked confidence and conviction in his thoughts thus making him feel inferior to me. He called me a know-it-all as a result.

I may be direct. I may be crass at times. I may be persistent. But one thing I am not is a know it all. I do my research. If I have an opinion on something, it is because I have used the technology of information to my advantage to research all angles, formulating my thoughts because I am taking the information from those more informed on the given subject. If people did the same with an open mind, we would be in a much better place.

If the information I provide makes you feel inferior, fix it. That is a you problem.

I feel you Feeny.

7. “I can’t stop Andy from growing up, but I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” -Woody, Toy Story 2

My children are the two greatest gifts I have ever received. Watching those two grow up is the best thing that has ever happened. I am very blessed and fortunate for my family. As much as I would love to freeze time, I can’t. Every time those words ring aloud, I can’t help but tear up and thing about my children.

6. “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership.” -Nelson Mandela

I respect those who implore the approach of Mandela in what they do. It is increasingly difficult especially when surrounded by those who want the credit and those who want to give little credit. I used to work for someone who was like this and it was a major reason why I wanted to do a great job for that business. That person was a wonderful leader and friend. That person never wanted the spotlight and often passed it off to others. That person would be willing to fall on the sword for anyone as well. That is admirable and respectable. It is a big reason why that person is as successful as they are and have been in multiple business avenues.

The world needs more people like that. That type of leadership is what we should strive to have. I, myself, need to work on this. I have fallen short at times. I believe it is natural to do that. It’s always about the fight to be better.

5. “If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving.” -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Persistence and perseverance are both inspiring traits for anyone. If you are not willing to fight for what you want, then you will never achieve what you set out to. Sometimes you have to play the long game. Even in the fight for what you’re trying to achieve, you may never reach it. That doesn’t mean to roll over and die.

I recently watched Hamilton for the first time. Playing off this idea was Aaron Burr in the song Wait For It. He said…

I am the one thing in life I can control
I am inimitable I am an original
I’m not falling behind or running late
I’m not standing still
I am lying in wait

We all move at different paces. Some people reach their peak at 27. Some reach their peak at 47. Some at 67. Just keep moving forward.

4. “A man who views the world at 50 the same he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.” -Muhammad Ali

I am deeply passionate about the idea of consistently educating oneself to be more informed than they were the day before. Keep growing and learning. In the last 10 years of my young life thus far, I have learned so much about others and myself because of that thirst to be a better person and a thirst to be more informed.

There are people who float through life believing the same things their parents or inner circles believe and that can be a dangerous game to play. It stunts growth of the individual.

This quote is ever important in terms of racism and racial hostility. Muhammad Ali admitted he used to hate white people. I won’t say he was necessarily wrong for that either.

Most didn’t view him as the intellectual marksman who packed as hard of a punch with his words as he did with his fists. They viewed him as some loud mouth you know what. Coming up in boxing, you couldn’t be brash and black, period. He was the poster child for brash.

But, he went on to leave a footprint so deep as a means of political and racial improvement because of his own learning and growth as an individual. It is truly inspiring. He is not only one of my favorite athletes of all time, but one of my favorite humanitarians. He certainly didn’t waste his life or time on this planet. He damn sure showed the world how great he is.

3. “Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It’s a very mean and nasty place, and I don’t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward; how much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done! Now, if you know what you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re better than that! I’m always gonna love you, no matter what. No matter what happens. You’re my son and you’re my blood. You’re the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, you ain’t gonna have a life.” Rocky Balboa, Rocky Balboa 

This quote will always have a special place in my heart. Since I first saw this movie, it has been one of my favorite movie monologues. This quote was actually my desktop background on my computer when I worked for my college newspaper (The Nicholls Worth).

The reason it is so important to me is because how much I hated life when I worked in my first journalism job for a paper down in Houma. I legitimately used to watch this scene every morning when I pulled in to the office. It helped me get through the day with a boss I wouldn’t piss on if she were on fire.

2. “Never forget what you are, the rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor and it can never be used to hurt you.” -Tyrion Lannister (Game of Thrones)

Self-awareness is everything. When you know who you are and are comfortable with who you are, you become almost untouchable. It is a powerful feeling. I had someone tell me after destroying the idiot on social media recently that they didn’t understand how I kept my composure.

I am confident in who I am and what I have done. That allows me to have that kind of composure. Having this blog helped establish a level of confidence I didn’t think was possible. Ironically, this blog is usually the kill-shot people attempt to go for. I have people tell me I am a worhtless shock jock, say something about the number of followers or wannabe ESPN, etc.

I know what my blog is. I am aware I don’t have the same platform as the sports media as much I’d like to. But I do this because I enjoy it. I have had people attack me for my financial status. There are a number of insults dished over the years. None of them leave a footprint in what I do. Almost all of them end up pissed off by the end of the conversation.

Just recently I had someone shit on my Richard Sherman take. He ended up blocking me after I sent him my defense with a couple of subtle shots in there.

If you know who you are, it’s harder for people to knock you off the horse you rode in on. This quote is essentially that scene in 8 Mile where B Rabbit stumps Papa Doc in the final rap battle. If you know your flaws and can say them out loud, you become infinitely harder to attack.

1. “I only hope that we never lose sight of one thing…that it was all started by a mouse.” -Walt Disney

I talked earlier about how I may not change the world, but I will damn sure try. My absolute favorite entity on the planet started because of the simplest and smallest idea, Mickey Mouse.

As much as Disney progresses through time, there is still a certain idea to hang on to the past because they never lose sight of the simple idea that started it all. That is my inspiration for creativity. That idea of Mickey Mouse and a constant evolution of creativity will forever inspire me. It will always be the beacon of hope for me to continue doing what I love, which is writing and creating content. If this takes off, great. If not, oh well. At worst, it gives me fulfillment.