We are all, in some way, shape, or form, susceptible to falling ill at some point in our lives. But no one has to be defined by their illness, be it mental or physical. What’s more important is the willpower, empathy, and human spirit that shine through amid the most difficult circumstances.
Whether it’s ourselves or a loved one suffering, sometimes the best way to stay positive is remembering just how far we’ve come — how strong we’ve been in the face of adversity, and how important it is to channel our energy toward possibilities versus obstacles.
Though there’s a lot we can’t control when it comes to battling illness, what we can insist on is the kind of mindset that prizes selfhood over a defeatist mentality. Here, we’ve rounded up 13 quotes to help inspire you to stay hopeful when things get challenging.
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
I often say now I don’t have any choice whether or not I have Parkinson’s, but surrounding that non-choice is a million other choices that I can make.
Maybe life isn’t about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it’s about collecting the scars to prove that we showed up for it.
You either get bitter or you get better. It’s that simple. You either take what has been dealt to you and allow it to make you a better person, or you allow it to tear you down. The choice does not belong to fate, it belongs to you.
Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, “I will try again tomorrow.”
Talking about our problems is our greatest addiction. Break the habit. Talk about your joys.
Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work; you don’t give up.
You can’t calm the storm, so stop trying. What you can do is calm yourself. The storm will pass.
Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.
If opening your eyes, or getting out of bed, or holding a spoon, or combing your hair is the daunting Mount Everest you climb today, that is OK.
Never let the things you cannot do prevent you from doing the things you can.
What makes night within us may leave stars.
Normality is a paved road. It’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow on it.
Featured Image Credit: Kenrick Mills/ Unsplash
Joyce Chen
Joyce Chen is a writer, editor, and community builder based in Seattle, Washington.
