Fridays can drag, but I’m here to assist. To vibe with you through these last few hours before the weekend begins, I’m going to hit you with my top five quotes.
A quality quotation has always inspired me to think, to smile, to laugh. Sometimes provocative words make me want to sprint through a wall. Very occasionally, I’m inspired to sit still.
I’ve become fascinated by folks based on a single line or two they uttered or penned. One can comprehend oodles about a man or woman based on the poignant words they share.
Professional sports locker rooms are notorious for having quotations plastered about and for good reason. The seasons are arduous and players are consistently clamoring for motivation. Joe Maddon displays a powerful example for young, impressionable ballplayers in his clubhouse in Tampa Bay. From Albert Camus:
Integrity has no need of rules.
When I was with the Red Sox, I placed a reminder above my locker.
This moment is exactly as it should be.
I looked at it every day to remember not to fight the flow of the season. Kevin Millar and I would remind each other of this mantra whenever the seas became rough.
These two quotations inspired me throughout my playing days, but don’t crack my top five.
- Martin Luther King, Jr:
You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step
Whenever I’m starting a new project, workout or task that feels overwhelming, I close my eyes and picture Dr. King’s image and hear his voice. Simply move forward, I tell myself. I do.
- Gandhi:
Be the Change you wish to see in the World.
How often do we complain about the foul characteristics of society, then turn around and contribute more unpleasantness? I’m guilty, we all are. The power of Gandhi’s words paled in comparison to his actions. I’m proud to follow his lead.
- Mark Twain:
A man’s character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation.
Twain seemed to have the perfect words for every situation; picking a single quote to represent him seems a near impossibility. This, however, is my top dog. Listen, then listen some more. You’ll know everything in a matter of moments.
- Lao Tzu
Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don’t resist them – that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.
The Zen quote above my locker is inspired by Tzu’s brilliance regarding resistance. This quote isn’t about sitting still while the world moves around us or an avoidance of personal responsibility. Instead, it’s a reminder that some of life’s happenstances are beyond our control. Attempting to stop the inevitable sabotages our ability to enjoy life moment to moment.
- Lao Tzu
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.
These days, we tear open packages to shovel food down while driving, text in line at the market and tweet while we pump gas. We compete with one another to prove how busy we are and how little time we have. This quote reminds us that if we slow down and become present, our lives will remain squarely intact.
Please share your favorites in the comments section below.
Be inspired and inspire,
Kap
“No one can steal your peace without your permission.”
Love that quote, so true with no exceptions. In a similar vein, a favorite of mine: Abraham Lincoln — ‘Folks are usually about as happy as they make their minds up to be’
Thanks, Karl.
Love this, Susan.
“A gentleman can live through anything.” - William Faulkner
“Whoever said, ‘It’s not whether you win or lose that counts,’ probably lost.” - Martina Navratilova
2 of my favorites!
Both solid. Thanks, Micah.
“The best day to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second-best day is today.”
This would make my top ten, Rob. Appreciate you stopping by, and you in general.
Nick says
I frequently remind myself and my kids with, “Say what you mean and mean what you say”. Once it’s been said, it can’t be taken back.
Fatherhood is rewarding, huh? Thanks, Nick.
John Wooden - “Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” You can never go wrong with a Wooden quote. Thanks for the writings Kap! Just started your 5 x 5’s today.
So glad a Wooden quote came in. Appreciate it, Dave.
“Challenges in life are inevitable, defeat is optional”
Thanks Gabe, look forward to your blog everyday.
You may change your mind after tomorrow’s blog, David. Hope you’ll give me a pass.
“Everything in moderation…”
Always a good mantra. Thanks for chiming in, Mike.
RF says
You never have to remember what you said when you tell the truth…
So true.
Boom. Perfect.
Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you are probably right.
Indeed, Jeff. Thanks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/30/opinion/falser-words-were-never-spoken.html?_r=0
“Greatness can be defined as experiencing success but continuing to persevere past those accomplishments to accomplish a higher mission” -Thanks Gabe for the post
You made the day richer, Ryan.
Begin each day by telling yourself: Today I shall be meeting with interference, ingratitude, insolence, disloyalty, ill will, and selfishness-all of them due to the offenders’ ignorance of what is good or evil. But for my part I have long perceived the nature of good and its nobility, the nature of evil and its meanness, and also the nature of the culprit himself, who is my brother; therefore none of those things can injure me, for nobody can implicate me in what is degrading
Marcus Aurelius
Like a morning prayer.
“Hello. I’m Hello, and I’d like to say myself”.
Steve Martin
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Steve’s best performance.
Thanks Sir! I am borrowing some of these quotes for my motivational page for recovering addicts and alcoholics. These are perfect!
Share them, brother.
“You Gotta Believe to Achieve!”
Simple, but effective. Nice, Kenny.
Richie Ernst says
“The ass you kick today, may be the ass you have to kiss tomorrow!” - Richie Ernst
“Do not pray for an easy life, pray for the strength to endure a difficult one!” - Bruce Lee
Two for the price of one from Richie. Like it.
“Happy are those that dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true.” Leon Joseph Cardinal Suenens
Strong. Thanks.
Dogs look up to us, cats look down on us….pigs look us right in the eye.
Winston Churchill
Rick, perhaps they know we are interested in consuming them? Love words from Winston.
“If you want something you’ve never had….you must DO something you’ve never done”
So very true.
Love this - the positive converse to something I’ve used when confronting something out of my comfort zone: “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” Time to switch! Thanks, RPH, and great topic, Gabe.
“Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have.”
Margaret Mead
And you Mr. Kapler are part of those who care!
Honored, Gloria.
“May god bless you in your journey through life. There will be thorns along the way…. but remember the roses”
Wait, is that a Poison song? I kid. Good stuff.
Kap,
I find this classic poem to be quite powerful and has gotten me through some tough times.
“The Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~gongsu/desiderata_textonly.html
Thanks very much for sharing this, Will.
“You are what your record says you are!” Bill Parcells
Parcells, straight throwback.
“True courage is…knowing your licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do.”
No question. Scared? Go anyhow.
If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you.
Rings true.
See, in life, when you have talent all the other shit doesn’t matter. If we were on an island with no weights and no running drills, who would be on top then? The guy with the talent.
— Kenny Powers
Kenny, I love you.
“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”― Plato
Real joy comes not from ease, or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile ~ Pierre Coneille
And my favorite…CHOOSE JOY!
Thank you, Tabitha. Love the first one, especially.
If we posses the ability to Dream then the ability to fulfill those Dreams lies within us.
Glad I came across your Blog — Kap
Keep them coming. Thx. Swanie
Swanie, I’m glad you found the blog, too. I’ll keep writing if you keep reading.
Kap
Kap,
Enjoy your blog and this post. As a Milwaukee guy, I also fondly recall your key role along with the likes of Mike Cameron, Craig Counsel, Ray Durham, etc. on the 2008 Brewers. Veteran leadership from guys who had previously experienced post-season success was so important on that young team. Fun times.
Feel compelled to drop a Vince Lombardi quote: “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”
I have no affiliation with the following site but thought you may be interested in a daily source of motivational quotes: https://twitter.com/CoachMotto
“Never Lose A Holy Curiosity” - Einstein
once again, great timing GK. like seemingly everyone above, i’m reminded of one of my favorites:
“when you’ve tried everything, remember, you haven’t” Thomas Edison
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. -Chinese proverb
Love the blog, Gabe. Your tone is encouraging and infectious.
“Worry is interest paid on a debt that never comes due.” Ricky Jay’s character in David Mamet’s film “Spanish Prisoner” I try to live by this.
Gabe,
During the course of your career how were you able to deal with all the ups and downs of the game? and How were you able to keep your drive/faith and know that you were exactly where you needed to be?