Owning the Struggle: Ten Quotes to Persevere

Many are the struggles of this life. You don’t need me to tell you that. I can’t even begin to fathom the worst of it all. But I do understand adversity and the perpetuity of its nature. I understand the necessity to overcome, to rise above. I understand how difficult it can be to keep trucking when it’s like you’ve walked through one storm right into another. Sometimes all life is is a struggle. It’s easy to forget that growth and strength and joy develop through these times. These ten quotes are hand-picked to help you see through the squall; to help you persevere through the hard times and the difficult climbs.

Give these ten powerful quotes a ponder, and let me know how you feel afterwards. Strike up a conversation in the comments below with some of your personal favorite quotes and how they keep your fire lit!

1. “Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” ― Earl Nightingale

Never has something so obvious and so simple helped to spur me on to keep fighting for my goals. This is common sense; of course the time will pass, but we often need reminding. You can’t just let your very limited time pass away while you sit idle. Your life will walk right away from you, no remorse, if you let it. Do. Not. Let. It.

2. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ― Winston S. Churchill

Never let meeting a goal satisfy you. Never let the struggle towards a new goal discourage you. The grind stone can sharpen or dull, depending on how you angle the blade. Eyes forward, chin up, lift with your legs and march on. Illegitimi non carborundum.

3. The only constant is change – Heraclitus

Coping with change can be incredibly difficult, particularly when it is unplanned. As Mary Shelley quite aptly states in one of my favorite books, Frankenstein, “Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change.” While this rings true, facing the reality of it head on is incredibly soothing. Acknowledging that change is inevitable, for better or worse (and often for both), is one of the simplest ways I know of to get through the acute difficulty we experience at the hands of disruption. Adapt. Overcome.

4. “For all the compasses in the world, there is only one direction, and time is its only measure” – Mary Shelley, Frankenstein

You have a purpose. Scratch that, you have many purposes. Some you choose. Some seem to be destined for you. You can pursue these callings and flesh out the stories of a life well lived and dreams well sought; or you can deny and ignore them for the ease and comfort of a caged existence. This is your choice, but you will come to your death one day, perhaps sooner than later. Do not live in vain, you will not die in vain.

5. “The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost.” – J.R.R Tolkein

This is the other part following the ever popular “not all those who wander are lost,” quote. I’m always amazed that this side of it is left out. This is a call to action as I see it. Send your roots down further, strengthen them always. Twist and lock them in through the deep recesses of your mind – you never know how strong or biting the next storm. You never know what or who will need to lean on you next.

6. “A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a short cut to meet it.”― J.R.R. Tolkien

I don’t even know if I need to add commentary here. I understand the searing pain of facing something you desperately wish wasn’t; but stand strong and face the things that make you uncomfortable. Otherwise you will still face them, but it will not be on your own terms, and you may be defeated. Stand and you will rise. Flee, and you may be knocked down from behind, or tripped from in front.

        7. “True education is a kind of never ending story — a matter of continual beginnings, of habitual fresh starts, of persistent newness.”― J.R.R. Tolkien

Look at everything as a learning experience. Seriously. You can learn from literally every interaction you have with every single thing – human, plant, animal, inanimate object, you name it. A great matter of this learning happens below the conscious level (or perhaps above) but you can still seek mindfulness every day to deepen your understanding an awareness of both yourself and all that surrounds you. Always seek out new experiences, always seek to grow your mind. Never let your brain stagnate. Learn something new as often as possible, and you will always be making positive progress.

8. “For you do not yet know the strengths of your hearts, and you cannot foresee what each may meet on the road.”― J.R.R. Tolkien

I can’t tell you to stop thinking that you just simply can’t make it through this; or that you would not be able to live through that happening, etc. I can simply tell you; yes, yes you can – and you will. Your struggle may be immediate and fresh, but it will fade and you will adapt. You will strengthen. You will overcome, and you will face different struggles, both greater and lesser. You will experience greater joys than you can imagine and come to unveil unexpected opportunities. Someday you will look back and scoff at yourself for ever doubting.

9. Though here at journey’s end I lie

   In darkness buried deep,

   Beyond all towers strong and high,

   Beyond all mountains steep,

   Above all shadows rides the Sun

   And Stars for ever dwell:

   I will not say the Day is done,

   Nor bid the Stars farewell.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

   

Sometimes it’s like you’re laying, trapped in the rubble of a crumbled dream, and it’s like the destruction of your life is all around you pinning you down. You may lay here and contemplate for a while; assess what went wrong, but plan how you will peel your limbs from underneath the debris and free yourself. You may lay here and breathe to collect yourself, but you have work to do. You have something to rebuild. This time, you can lay the bricks in a new pattern, something stronger than it was before.

10. “We may stand, if only on one leg, or at least be left still upon our knees.”― J.R.R. Tolkien

I’ve been told that my pride will be the death of me. This may be so, but you’ll never catch me prostrate – I will not admit defeat. Maybe you have been laid low and defeated by your struggle. Maybe you really can’t walk it off. Crawl. While your legs are too weak to carry you down your trail, take this opportunity to build strength in your arms, and drag along until such time as you may stand again.

 What are you favorite quotes that inspire you to action!?!

Start a conversation in the comments below! Share your favorite quotes, and what they mean to you! I’d love to hear from you, don’t forget to connect with us on any of the following social media platforms below!

Now, for the disclaimer – I am not a vet, adventure guide, personal trainer, doctor, nutritionist, or medical authority, this is meant to be only a source of information and inspiration, implementing these techniques into your daily life is something you do of your own free will and at your own risk.

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