Quotes That Influenced My Life

1K Blog Marathon: Day 41

Quotes are my favorite. It gives me new perspective of something in a poetic way. Here are the best quotes that influenced my life.

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13

This is the very first quote that moved my life. During elementary days I was a shy kid. Although consistently in the highest section, I’m not a cream of the crop. More of, corncobs on a box of corns. But when high school came, and then I read an old book given to me by my uncle. The book is called “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Normal Vincent Peale. And one particular quote – the affirmation of absolute power, coming from this book gave me confidence. This quote is my personal “chant” whenever I’m into something serious or facing a hardship, more like the “All is well” of Rancho in the movie 3 Idiots. I just say it 3 times when I woke up in the morning, 3 times when I hit the road, and 3 times before going to bed. As times goes by, I found myself chanting it when I’m in trouble. I also give it as a letter to any friend facing a problem.

“Keep moving forward.”
Walt Disney

The time that I watched the movie “Meet the Robinsons” is the time that I was introduced into this wisdom. As Walt Disney face difficulties in his life, he lived by this quote – to keep moving forward. This shape my attitude towards losing hope or giving up. Whenever I lose interest in something, this comes into my mind, and it gives me fuel to drive forward.

“Stay hungry, stay foolish.”
Steve Jobs

This is my favorite quote. Although not originally from Steve Jobs, he popularized it on his 2005 Stanford Commencement Address. Based on my research, it really came from the back cover of the Whole Earth Catalog back in 1974. But beyond this hungry and foolish words is a deeper meaning. It tells me not to stop wanting for more, being hungry for excellence, staying foolish and keep on learning.

“Always Be Jabbing. Always Be Shipping. Always Be Firing.”
Jeff Atwood

I’ve read this just last year, but it appeals to me very much, so much that I included it in my ending quote of my first blog. It’s also one of my inspiration to keep on blogging every day, aside from the inspiration given to me by Nas. That’s why for a thousand days I will keep on jabbing, shipping and firing.

“Plus Ultra”
Motto of UA High School, My Hero Academia

I was very fond of this quote that I always use it as my Slack status. But aside from being an Anime motto, I dig deeper and found out that this motto was the national motto of Spain, and was first used as personal motto of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Spain. The original phrase is “Non plus ultra”, meaning “nothing further beyond”, or in simple words “no more land”, because they believed that the world is flat and it has edges. But when Columbus discovered the New World, Charles adopted the motto and changed it to “Plus Ultra” meaning “there are lands further beyond”. It keeps reminding me that the world is big, that I should not stay in my comfort zone – I should go further beyond!

“Follow excellence, success will chase you, pants down.”
Rancho, from the movie 3 Idiots

During college, this is my carrying verse. I also used it as my graduation message in our Year Book. It tells me to keep a low profile and do what I have to do. I don’t need to boast my skills, let them discover it by looking at my works. It’s like “let your works speaks for yourself”, the best way to show your excellence. And if you strive for giving your best and improving your skills, it will pay off!

“Stagnation is a sin.”
Christian Foster

This is my motto. I always used it in my blogs and when I talk to other people. I love to read and to learn, and I think that instead of playing games or going to parties, I’d rather read books. Or create something. Or code a system. Anything that can improve my mental capacity, just not to be vacant, stagnant.

So that’s it guys, I hope you liked my favorite quotes. Another tidbits: In our office chat, every day, for over a year now, I always send a quote – inspirational, birthday, event or anything related to the day – one for the “good morning” quotes and one for the “thank you, see you tomorrow” quotes. Over a year! And I only missed it when I’m absent or during weekends.

How about you? Do you have a favorite quote or quotes? Comment it down and I will add it to my Quote Codex! Thanks for dropping by!

“And that’s one blog, stay hungry!”