A few inspiring words

Mondays have been difficult for me, lately, as a quick review of my recent posts shows. Today marks the first day of final exams and overwhelming amounts of grading. So here are a few quotes from well-known creatives, scientists, and the like. I hope they might provide you with a bit of inspiration.

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want so that they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.  ~ Margaret Young

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.  ~ Seneca

Take your life into your own hands and what happens? A terrible thing: no one to blame.  ~ Erica Jong

Artists who seek perfection in everything are those who cannot attain it in anything.  ~Eugène Delacroix 

Did you ever observe to whom the accidents happen? Chance favors only the prepared mind.  ~Louis Pasteur

We are always doing something, talking, reading, listening to the radio, planning what next. The mind is kept naggingly busy on some easy, unimportant external thing all day long.  ~Brenda Ueland

Figure out who you are. Dare to try things and allow yourself to do them, even if they're not perfect. Keep an open mind, and put aside the daily distractions. You may just find some creative inspiration in the process.