Inspiring Quotes

Sharon Salzberg is a spiritual leader and meditation teacher who helped introduce Buddhist practices into Western culture in the 1970s. After a tumultuous childhood, Salzberg discovered meditation as a way to temper the chaos in her life. Her interest led her first to India for years of study, and then back to the U.S., where she co-founded the Insight Meditation Society. Thi...

Walt Disney is known for many things: being a pioneer of animated films, creating beloved cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse, and opening one of the best-known theme parks in the world — to name just a few. While it’s clear that none of these things could have been achieved by someone who rested on their laurels, it’s often understated just how much tenacity Disney had. ...

John Steinbeck’s work didn’t shy away from untangling the intricacies of human nature. He often evoked empathy, and in this quote, from his 1952 novel “East of Eden,” he outright explains how to give — and hopefully receive — empathy and compassion. These emotions demonstrate the capacity to see the world through someone else’s eyes and experiences, and in turn foster underst...

In the 1970s, travel writer and poet Gretel Ehrlich spent several years living in rural Wyoming following the death of the man she loved. Drawn to the rugged landscape and its equally resilient people, she compiled the essay collection “The Solace of Open Spaces” about her time there. “I came here four years ago,” she wrote. “I had not planned to stay, but I couldn’t make mys...

One of the most influential modern intellectuals, German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche first penned this sentiment in 1889. It has since undergone numerous and varied translations into English, but the core idea remains consistent in every iteration. Having a strong purpose in life gives us a reason to continue on through adversity and inspires us to find a way past any obs...