I believe that one of the easiest ways to get to know someone is through their favorite quotes. A person's favorite quotes can tell you so much about them; the quotes they enjoy can portray their interests, their passions, what really matters to them. Arguably, some people would say that not a lot of people keep track of their favorite quotes and therefore it would be hard to get to know them that way. I, however, keep a list of my favorite quotes, and I feel that it gives a lot of insight into the person I am, but maybe I'm just kind of nerdy and biased. Here are some of my favorite quotes that I think help describe my life.

1. "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that" (Martin Luther King, Jr.)

I believe this quote is so important for everyone to strive to live by. This quote should be practiced in day to day life and can also be used as motivation to stay optimistic about certain life situations. For example, the recent presidential election has left a lot of people in turmoil, and a quote such as the aforementioned can inspire people to always act in the best way possible. Take Mr. King's message and say it, say it loud.

2. "Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind" (Dr. Seuss)

Who would have thought that a book projected for children could have such profound wisdom? This is a lesson that can follow you throughout your life, as trying to please others and the desire to be liked is always pertinent. It's important to remember that we all deserve good people in our lives who treat us well, and that those who aren't as nice as we might want them to be simply don't matter.

3. "If you don't imagine, nothing ever happens at all" (John Green)

This quote is pretty self descriptive. Someone, someday, had to have imagined climbing Mt. Everest, and had the passion to make it happen. Society sometimes tells us not to imagine, that the things we desire are crazy or unrealistic, but if we simply have the heart and mind to imagine the impossible, it becomes possible.

4. "Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are" (Mason Cooley)

One of my biggest desires in life is to travel. I want to be able to travel all over the world, to get to know and love so many different places. For the time being, as a college student, it's a little hard to travel more than a few times a year, and I believe I can pacify this yearning by reading. Reading, for me, can take me to somewhere beyond the place I'm currently at, and allows me to satisfy my craving for travel and adventure until I can make it happen. I also believe that the more I read, the more capacity I have for knowledge and appreciation I have for travel and even just life.

5. "You are never too old for a Disney movie" (Unknown, but probably everyone)

I love Disney movies probably more than the average almost 20 year old does and I feel no shame about that. If you've ever actually watched a Disney movie, you'd realize how amazing they actually are, for children and beyond. Disney movies have some seriously inspiring quotes (an article to come later) and they have the ability to incorporate such important messages in fun and memorable ways. Name a bad Disney movie, I dare you.

6. "Wherever you are, be all there" (Jim Elliot)

I think a lot of people get swept up by planning for the future; people just can't wait for the trip they just planned or the friend they're waiting to see or to simply be done with school. While we spend so much time being wrapped up in what lies ahead, we are missing the beauty of the present. It's important to remember that every moment matters, and to make the most of this short life we have. Wherever you are, be all there, be in the moment, think of everything you are feeling at every moment and consciously register your surroundings and the people you are blessed to be spending time with. Appreciate everything.

7. "Most importantly love/ like it's the only thing you know/ at the end of the day/ all this means nothing/ this page/ where you're sitting/ your degree/ your job/ your money/ nothing even matters/ except love and human connection/ who you loved/ and how deeply you loved them/ how you touched the people around you/ and how much you gave them" (Rupi Kaur)

Of everything that could possibly be important in life, love is the utmost important. When we are no longer around, we are remembered simply by the people whose lives we touched. The thing that says the most about you is how you love, and what you do in the lives of those around you. Love, is all that matters.

I hope that this article inspires you to think a little more about the things you read, the things that matter to you, and who you are as a person. If it doesn't, then you just learned a little bit more about me. While quotes can be viewed as just words on a page, they can be so much more than that. They can be a way to live life, a way to express any desires and passions we all have. Find your quotes.