You’ve probably heard of some of these, but I’m hoping that you find some new favorites!

1. “A kind word is like a spring day.” –Russian proverb

While it may sound corny, this quote really captures the delightful feeling you give someone when you pay him or her a compliment. It can be so refreshing to hear an encouragement in a world that seems bleak at times.

2. “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.” –Randy Pausch

There are so many things in this world that we don’t have control over. While we might not always get what we want, we have the power to choose how we react.

3. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” –Wayne Gretzky

Risks always come with uncertainty and fear. You might have regrets over wasted opportunities, so take a chance and put yourself out there. You never know what there is to gain!

4. “Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well.” – Gandhi

Do not act differently when you are around different people. In order to be genuine and real with people, there needs to be consistency among your values, words, and actions. Your personality should not be dependent upon who is around you.

5. “Things don’t go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be.” –Charles Jones

I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. When we face adversity, it has a purpose. We rise from it through perseverance and become more resilient people. Keeping that in mind helps us avoid self-pity and embrace opportunities for growth.

6. “I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” –Thomas Jefferson

Often times, you get out just as much, if not more, than what you put into something. The satisfaction that comes from hard work makes all of the efforts you poured into something worth it.

7. “Failure is a success if we learn from it.” –Malcolm Forbes

Mistakes are an inevitable part of life. Nobody is perfect all the time. If we take the time to learn from them and prevent such mistakes from occurring in the future, they have a purpose.

8. “There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness.” –Josh Billings

We only hurt ourselves when we let bitterness weigh on our hearts. Do not give someone else the satisfaction of robbing you of happiness. Let go of that resentment you feel so you can truly experience peace of mind.

9. “May you live every day of your life.” –Jonathan Swift

Make the most of your time. Instead of spending your time going through the motions and not making the most of your time, look up and appreciate where you are at in life. Look for ways to brighten your day and live life to the fullest.

10. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is.” –Albert Einstein

I have found that having a thankful heart and showing my appreciation has opened my eyes to how blessed I truly am. You enjoy life so much more if you take the time to notice all the good around you. Don’t treat anything as ordinary; everything is a gift.

11. “Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you don’t do than by the things you do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” –Mark Twain

While it might be tempting to stick with the familiar, it is so freeing to get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Say “yes” to adventures.

12. “Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.” –Will Rogers

It is one thing to know that you are making great decisions and putting yourself on the right track. It is another to ensure you remain on the right path by constantly working hard and setting new goals for yourself.

13. “Hmmm. I don’t like that person. I must get to know them better.” –Abraham Lincoln

Too often, I form a premature judgment of someone before I take the time to get to know them and almost always regret it. It is better to spend time learning about someone before you form an opinion.

14. “To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

We have so many expectations placed on us, especially by the media. Instead of comparing ourselves to others and trying to conform, we need to encourage uniqueness and emphasis the importance of individuality.

15. “Stop living life for what’s around the corner and start enjoying the walk down the street.” –Grant L. Miller

Our everyday lives should be enough of an adventure that we don’t spend our time hoping for happiness once the next big thing comes, whether that’s a vacation or the next stage of our lives. The little things in life count just as much as the big events.

16. “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” –Dr. Seuss

We have what we need to work towards worthwhile goals. The world is a huge place, and there are so many choices to make regarding our futures. Whatever we choose, we are capable of doing great things if we take initiative and work for it.

17. “The future comes one day at a time.” –Dean Acheson

The future can seem so daunting and overwhelming if we let it consume our thoughts. By taking a step back and realizing that we have time to figure things out and that it isn’t all coming at once, our fears back off. We can’t get ahead of ourselves; we need to take it one step at a time.

18. "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." –Proverbs 27:17

Healthy relationships consist of people bettering one another through support, encouragement, and holding each other accountable. We need to build each other up rather than tear each other down. While this might seem like common sense, we need to really think about what we are contributing to our friendships and how we are helping others grow.

19. “For myself, I am an optimist- it does not seem to be much use being anything else.” –Winston Churchill

Our perspective often determines our happiness, or lack thereof. Do not let negativity overtake you. It won’t get you very far. Looking on the bright side makes life so much better.

20. “The tragedy of life doesn’t lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn’t a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream.” –Benjamin Elijah Mays

It’s OK if you do not achieve all of the dreams you have in mind; that does not mean you are a failure. While it feels wonderful to achieve your goals, it is important to keep some dreams in your heart. Those dreams inspire you to be better and keep you on worthwhile paths.