Henry David Thoreau spent two years living in a remote cabin on Walden Pond in Massachusetts, an experience that birthed his celebrated memoir, "Walden." In that time, he gave up luxuries and aesthetics, believing it was a more honorable challenge to redefine the meaning of a good life. He wrote in "Walden" about the importance of being "awake" through life — to live deliberately and enjoy the essential and divine elements of being alive. "I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life," he wrote, adding, "I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor … to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look." To him, shaping your outlook on life was the highest art of all.

Octavio Paz, one of the most influential poets in the world, came from humble beginnings. He began publishing his work as a teenager and released his first poetry collection before the age of 20. His hard work earned him an esteemed career; he traveled the world as a diplomat and writer, becoming known internationally for his poems and essays and winning the Nobel Prize in literature in 1990. Here, his charge to “deserve your dream” reminds us that success is measured not just in what we achieve, but in who we are. When we know we’ve lived with integrity, reaching our goals is that much sweeter.

As the host and creator of the beloved children’s show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” Fred Rogers tackled important topics such as friendship, expressing difficult emotions, and being part of a community. One of his most persistent messages was that being different is a gift, not something to be afraid of. He made waves at the height of the civil rights movement when, during one 1969 episode, he and Officer Clemmons (a character played by Francois Clemmons, a Black and gay actor) soaked their feet in the same kiddie pool, underlining their friendship despite differing backgrounds. Rogers’ legacy offers a reminder to the child in all of us that our individuality is something to be celebrated, not tamped down.

American theologian and writer Tryon Edwards was a prominent religious figure, serving as a pastor and professor of theology. He published several books on theology, philosophy, and literary criticism and is perhaps best known for compiling his great-grandfather's writings in "The Works of Jonathan Edwards," which helped preserve and promote the legacy of his forefather's influential theological ideas as a prominent figure of the American Enlightenment.

Zhu Xi was a Chinese philosopher who lived from 1130 to 1200, during the Song dynasty. A learned man, he was a historian, poet, skilled calligrapher, and astute politician — although his frank and outspoken opinions and his staunch anti-corruption ideals often saw him dismissed from court or kept a safe distance from the capital. Zhu is most associated with the development of Neo-Confucianism, influenced by the earlier teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius. One of Zhu’s key principles — and something he often repeated to his students — was the importance of keeping an open mind. His philosophy emphasized logic and consistency, but if the mind was closed to new ideas, it would be impossible for any student to fully realize their abilities.