but who inspires the inspirers? recent wisdom from 12 friends around the world
- By: Dave Ursillo
- Share: 20 Comments
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I don’t know about you, but I love a good quote.
I use ‘em all the time, whether to start a blog post or to help articulate a point in conversation (trying to sound sophisticated and all edu-ma-cated).
But you know what’s even better than an over-used, often wrongly-attributed quote from a misunderstood historical figure?
The real and inspiring things that real and inspiring people around the world are saying, right now.
Who inspires the inspirers? Real people, that’s who. And I’d like to introduce you to a few of my friends who help me when I’m feeling uninspired.
recent wisdom from 12 friends
“…writing books is all-fucking-consuming if you want to do it right. And, I want to be consumed for the rest of my life. In flames. But not like Joan of Arc. Just me. Feeling hot and devotional. With a great sound track.” — Danielle LaPorte, White Hot Truth
“Today, I’m grateful for these reminders that I have no idea what’s going on in the worlds of most of the people I interact with every day, yet I can practice empathy for others and adjust how I react in any given situation.” — Brandon Sutton, BrandonSutton.com
“The universe rewards backbone. IT PAYS OFF to stick up for yourself, to say the hard truth, and to make the hard choices about where to spend your time and attention. It pays off in sanity. Ease. Lightness. Sense of self. Confidence. Clarity. And cajones. You are no good to anyone if you run yourself ragged trying to please everyone.” — Jenny Blake, Life After College
“Many of us our held prisoner by our past and the worst part is we don’t even realize it. We the let the past define us and our future actions and thoughts end being based on past events. We hold on to our past as if it’s something that we can change. But, the past has already happened. It’s done and over with, so the best thing we can do is take a lesson from it and move on.” — Srinivas Rao, The Skool of Life
“I’m experiencing those familiar effects of overwhelm. I have daily urges to throw up my hands, hibernate and ignore my massive actions plans. Here’s the thing. I’m learning how to just be with my overwhelm. To recognize it, be gentle with it, and not blame myself for letting it “get to this point again.” — Molly Mahar, Stratejoy
“Because of you, we now have $13,000 to put towards our Girls Education Program in Sierra Leone this year. In July, our team in Sierra Leone will be purchasing 100 school uniforms, dresses, hats, socks, shoes and backpacks. Plus hundreds of exercises books, text books, pens, pencils and stationary. Our Scholarship Girls will have their school fees paid in full, so they are guaranteed a place at school for the next year.” — Chantelle Baxter, One Girl
“No matter how out-of-control your day is, no matter how stressful your job or life becomes, the act of being present can become an oasis. It can change your life, and it’s incredibly simple.” — Leo Babauta, zen habits
“Lasting happiness is rooted in helping others.” — Amber Rae, revolution.is
“You probably have something amazing in your head waiting for you to do it. But something so small it’s laughable is stopping you from doing it. Not because it’s impossible to solve (it’s actually probably pretty easy to work around), but because you’re scared to do the work.” — Joel Runyon, Blog of Impossible Things
“The secret to life is that there is no secret. The secret is when you’re told that you have a 10% survival rate, and you choose to love and to smile at everyone around you instead of succumbing to fear. … The secret is when everyone around you is telling you that you cannot make it happen, and it’s just not going to happen for you, and you dare to dream big.” — Bernardo Mendez, YourGreatLifeTV
“There’s a lot of emphasis on trying to accelerate the path to success by spending a ton of time studying the methods of those have succeeded… But, what it doesn’t take into account is the fact that the thing that led them to be able to do what they do is that they, themselves, messed up, over and over and over, and it was that repeated intimate relationship with the mistakes that led to a deep enough understanding of ‘why’ it needed to be done differently that led to their success.” — Jonathan Fields, JonathanFields.com
“This is your life dammit! And it is going to be a WILD, INSANE, CRAZY, ride! If it is anything different, if it isn’t 99% a wild ride, if you aren’t looking at your life as this amazing adventure then you aren’t really living!!!” — Lauren Rains, The Mad To Live
Who do you look to for inspiration every week?
Share some names with us in the comments below. :)
Rock steady.
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Photo credit: courtesy @heyamberrae
20 COMMENTS... READ 'EM BELOW AND SHARE A THOUGHT
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Brandon
Love it, Dave. Thanks for including me! I loved Bernardo’s quote – especially the part about smiling at people. This simple act can truly transform the way we experience the world.
You have several of my ‘go-to’ resources of inspiration here. Here are a couple that I find myself being inspired by frequently:
Hildy Gottlieb – Creating The Future – http://hildygottlieb.com – Hildy consistently asks questions that really push the thinking of her readers beyond the obvious and into the place where extraordinary things happen.
Mark SIlver – Heart of Business – http://heartofbusiness.com – Mark and I connected at a very deep level during WDS and I’m happy to be taking part in his Sacred Selling course now. His heart-centered approach to business really resonates with me.
John Marshall Roberts – Worldview Thinking – http://johnmarshallroberts.com – JMR is one of my big heroes and his work on Worldviews and Empathy have been nothing short of transformative for me.
And of course, Dave Ursillo. He’s pretty swell also. :)
Thanks again – great resource!
Aug 19 2011 / 02:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
Amazing recommendations Brandon, Thank you! I really enjoyed Mark's unabashed authenticity and naturally love the combination of "heart" into business.
Can't wait to check out the others, too!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Jenny Blake
LOVE THIS!! Great round up — I’m feeling pumped up just reading this post. Thanks so much for including me! Very honored :)
Happy Friday D-Town!
Aug 19 2011 / 05:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
Everyone, spend some time to catch a video or two of Jenny on stage in front of an audience like I had the opportunity to streaming live this past weekend -- she's the best!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Amy
Way to rally up some great quotes!
I definitely get inspiration from other bloggers, too, but the people in my everyday life provide great daily inspiration to me. My clients (I’m a personal trainer by day- surprise!) inspire and motivate me to achieve more because THEY work so hard. My friends are some of the most supportive, positive people I know. Lastly, but not least…-ly, my boyfriend is uh-mazing. He pushes me to be a better person while fully supporting me as I am. I’ve never felt more loved than I do by him. I want to be a better person every day thanks to these people!
Thanks for getting me all mushy, Dave! Great post!
Aug 19 2011 / 06:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
Queue, "Awwwwwwwww"! :)
In serious though Amy it sounds like you have absolutely amazing social circles around you who are so supportive and inspirational for you -- that's nothing short of incredible
And I'm sure you act the same for them! Inspiration is definitely a reciprocal relationship. :)
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Wendy
I LOVE quotes and songs, and I use them to express myself ..all the time! Truth is I wish I could express myself as well.
Recently someone said, “Tell us about YOU instead?”
A clue this may be happening all too often, well… for them! HA!
Here’s a favorite quote I’m learning to overcome,
“Take my advice, I’m not using it!”
My inspirations…
My adult children and grand-children AMAZE me and teach me so much! My heart says look to the children first, for they are our future. Growing up “with me”, I am in awe of their love and the things they do to honor themselves as well as for others.
I sheepishly “only asked all the God’s and the universe for assistance” and Holy Mother of them all opened a spansive door!
I’ve been aligned with many guides, gurus, shamans and healers such as Dr. Steven Aung, Kevin Wark, Madelleine Eames, Neil Pasricha, Byron Katie and “A Horse” to help me hurdle into some new territory. It’s time to write the chapters other’s see in me.
I have friends who say I’ve been “their” driving force for decades! Foreign from my story, I am told I need to be inspired by me!
So I’ll strive to fill the heart for to fill the shoes to show all guides, gaurdians, God’s and gurus, at very least my gratitude.
The Power from within- Manifesto says so much to me and I thought this morning how little the “WOWZA” tells you. I’m sorry I could not find the words to evoke the empower-healing of your work, Dave. I am awestruck. You are an admireable inspiration.
I finally see and found courage to open the cage door which had closed around my heart, between ages 3 and four. Now I’m walking proud WITH my history, as perhaps a peaceful warrior.
Thank you for being a beautiful and compassionate teacher!
:)
Aug 20 2011 / 09:08 am
Dave Ursillo
Thank you Wendy!!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Hattie B
The people who inspire me every day…
Marianne Cantwell of Free Range Humans http://www.free-range-humans.co.uk
John Williams author of Screw Work Let’s Play and organiser of Scanners Central http://www.screwworkletsplay.com
Selina Barker of http://www.selinabarker.com
Brene Brown for her take on empathy, shame, authenticity and resilience
My other half for being unabashed and having absolute and total belief in himself and those around him
Aug 21 2011 / 01:08 am
Dave Ursillo
These are a list of great suggestions-- I haven't seen them before I don't think! Thanks so much Hattie for leaving your suggestions with us! :)
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Allan
i like this Dave,I must say that since ever i got you, i draw so much inspiration from this blog. How about this:
‘life is like a book, everyday is a new page”
this makes you understand that yesterday was different from today and tomorrow is gonna be different from today but u still have to live anyway.
Aug 21 2011 / 06:08 am
Dave Ursillo
Welcome to the blog Allan and thank you for taking the time to leave a thought with us!
I like the book analogy for sure :) Every day is a new chance, but you gotta remember, every day that passes is a part of your story!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Susana Frioni
Oooooo….I love me some great quotes!! And the quote by Johnathon Fields, I’m saving that one! As for Molly, Danielle Laporte + Leo Babauta…some of my regular favourites. I also love Sera Beak, Marie Forleo, Bindu Wiles, Brene Brown…sooooooo many!! I love reading everyone’s stories + their pearls of wisdom.
Thanks for sharing Dave! Big love from Australia xox
Aug 21 2011 / 10:08 am
Dave Ursillo
Excellent suggestions Susana, thanks a ton. I need to catch up on some of those names you suggested that I recognize but haven't read very often in the past!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Ken Wert
Hey Dave,
What a great idea to fill a post with great quotes. So many wonderful people who think deeply and have wonderfully quotable ways of expressing great ideas!
Be good, my friend, and keep inspiring us all with your wisdom!
Aug 22 2011 / 04:08 am
Dave Ursillo
Such authentic figures make it easy to find inspiration on a daily basis Ken-- and sometimes while inspiration finds you, other times you need to explicitly look for it!
Aug 22 2011 / 05:08 pm
Heroes and Friends | Experience Life Fully
[...] put it simply: I was inspired. We all need others to inspire us, and we all have the power to inspire. “Your heroes will help you find good in yourself. Your [...]
Chris Stott
I love these quotes, especially from such a selection of inspirational people. They give you a kicking don’t they. They kick you in to action. Take action, learn and embrace life.
I’m inspired by great writers and change makers of the past, great ones of the present that I am yet to interact with and those who I do interact with. I am also inspired by my inner drive and mantras, even though they can be a bit disjointed from time to time.
Thanks for sharing. I’m a sucker for quotes.
Aug 22 2011 / 06:08 pm
Dave Ursillo
It always rocks to connect with people like in this list on a deep level of understanding -- the inspiration, I think, comes not only from what they say but in our ability to relate it to our lives, directly!!
Aug 25 2011 / 01:08 pm
Naomi Lancet
Hi Dave!
Stumbled upon your blog today & subscribed. Thanks for the inspirational quotes above.
I’m inspired by other 25 year olds like yourself–let’s go quarter-crisis generation!!
Other 25-ish inspirational people include (some of whom are just getting started!!)
Jordan from http://www.highexistence.com
Phil from http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com
Sal Greco from http://www.surflifestyledesign.com
& of course the Miss Ashley from http://www.themiddlefingerproject.org
And my favorite quote from one of the entrepreneurial bloggers….and shame on me for forgetting who it was from….short and simply
“Create your own rules!”
Aug 25 2011 / 06:08 pm
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