"MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR TEENS"
SUBMITTED BY TEENS



"When life knocks you to your knees
Well, that's the best position in which to pray, isn't it?"
Ethel Barrymore --- Submitted by M.H., Age 14 --- Minnesota



"And just when you think it's all coming together
In an instant it's back to where you started."
Ashley J., Age 16 --- Alabama



"Everything I need to know is revealed to me.
Everything I need comes to me.
All is well in my life."
Louise Hay --- Submitted by Crystal B., Age 15 --- Missouri



"The only way to discover the limits of the possible
Is to go beyond them into the impossible."
Arthur C. Clarke --- Submitted by Mark A., Age 16 --- Florida



"Life is full of surprises. The way to beat them is to see how many of those surprises you can beat."
Copyright © 1999 Brock Clancy



"Life is like a mountain, some people view it from afar, others admire it from below, and the rest can't wait to climb to the top."
Christina S., Age 17 --- California



"God never gives you anything you can't handle."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ashley K., Age 18 --- Louisiana



"Hearts will get broken; you can't hide behind a wall forever. One day, just like any other day, someone will come along and slip his/her way into your heart. You may fight it 'kicking and screaming' but it will happen. Enjoy it; treasure it. And afterwards when it's over, because it will end, you will cry, you will hurt, and you will never be the same again. Because everyone that crosses your path in life will change you or bring out a certain part of you. Learn and grow from it."
Copyright © 2000 Traece Peters



"Always reach for the stars;
That way you'll never come up with a hand full of mud."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Michelle H., Age 15 --- Michigan



The wise old owl lives in the oak,
The more he heard,
The less he spoke.
The less he spoke,
The more he heard.
Why can't we all be like that bird?
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.P., Age 17 --- Kansas



"Be all that you can be, but first be yourself."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ashley K., Age 18 --- Louisiana



"Good enough, never is."
Jeff Colver --- Submitted by Alan B., Age 14 --- New York



"If you aim for NOTHING, you will hit it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by M.S., Age 14 --- North Carolina



"Abuse is not an act of God, but a failure of love."
George W. Bush --- Submitted by K.H., Age 14 --- Pennsylvania



"Always keep a smile on your face
Because no one wants to approach a person who looks angry."
Diane Kirk --- Submitted by Emily K., Age 14 --- Georgia



"To know HOW to want it, is to know HOW to win it!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sabrina W., Age 16 --- Michigan



"I'm not dancing for them anymore. I'm dancing for me."
Eva from Centerstage (Zoe Saldana)
--- Submitted by Meghan M., Age 15 --- Illinois




"Most people believe that "I love you" is the best thing you can say to anybody. I have learned that "I love you too" has a greater impact on the human heart. Anybody can get an "I love you" but fewer get an "I love you too." Those are the truly blessed."
Copyright © 2001 Richie Boggess



"A man's greatest obsession is always his greatest fear."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Joe G., Age 15 --- Canada



"No matter how bad things are, just think and pray that everything happens for a reason and that you will become a better person from it!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.P., Age 15 --- Texas



"If you feel like your parked diagonally in this parallel universe,
Congrats, you passed your drivers test on life."
Copyright © 2001 Maria Paoletti



"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious."
Albert Einstein --- Submitted by Trisha M., Age 15 --- Connecticut



"We crave what we cannot attain and despise what we cannot escape."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by M.F., Age 16 --- Wyoming



"If you live life for, by, and with dignity, honor, and respect
Then that is what you will get in life.
It may not be worth money, but it's worth living for."
Copyright © 2001 Walter Woosley



"I'm not lazy I just have a lot of patience."
B.K., Age 14 --- Pennsylvania



"God allows our hearts to be broken, so HE can get deeper into them!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sheba S., Age 16 --- California



"If you see an obstacle in front of you, it's not there to stop you.
It's there to make you stronger for the next obstacle that comes around."
Rubin "Hurricane" Carter --- Submitted by N.K., Age 14 --- Georgia



"Effort and courage are not enough without purpose and direction."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Mark A., Age 16 --- Florida



"Think of goodbyes as an opportunity to say hello once more."
Copyright © 2000 Brad Young



"To love and be loved is to feel the sun from both sides."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Michelle M., Age 17 --- California



"We need to learn to appreciate the present as much as we do past or future. Children eager to grow up, adults wishing to be children. And teenagers, just trying to fit in while somehow standing alone as well. We all need to enjoy life where we are, praise God for the time He's given us. The past we've lived and the future's coming up fast. Enjoy the present before it's too late. We are marvelous, mixed-up gifts from God. Treasure that."
Copyright © 2000 Carol Rice



"Never stop learning, as learning is like an endless road."
George O'Well --- Submitted by Nana R., Age 14 --- Toa Payoh, Singapore



"Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Racheal S., Age 16 --- New Jersey



"I've always believed that life is like a circle.
No matter how bad the bad things are,
the good things will come back around and will last for a longer time."
Copyright © 1999 Lisa Shucker



"Not everything that is faced can be changed,
But nothing can be changed until it is faced."
James Baldwin --- Submitted by Crystal B., Age 15 --- Missouri



"Don't ever approach a situation casually;
A casual approach leads to casualties."
Amy G. --- Submitted by Amy B., Age 16 --- New Hampshire



"God doesn't make junk!"
Author Unknown
--- Submitted by Kristen G., Age 16 --- Saskatchewan, Canada




"During your life I hope you never lie, cheat, or drink.
But if you must lie, lie in the arms of those who love you,
And if you must cheat, cheat death,
And if you must drink, take a big sip of the good life."
Author Unknown
--- Submitted by Stephanie P., Age 15 --- Newfoundland, Canada




"You're only as good as your last shift."
Bobby R., Age 16 --- Michigan



"The key to success is to get up one more time
Than you are knocked down."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jessica B., Age 18 --- Montana



"To receive anything of worth, a sacrifice must be laid down;
That is to have passion."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by David M., Age 17 --- Greentown, Ireland



"Since we are all different, doesn't that make us all the same?"
Copyright © 2001 Jared Frick



"To become good at basketball,
You must not only set high standards
But achieve them."
Copyright © 2001 Mike Kapral



SLEEPING AWAKE

In a dream I was the branch
That a mighty bird lay rest
He was no mightier them me
I was his branch no mightier than he

Suppose I broke or he broke me
We would lose our friendship
He would lose his rest
I let him rest as I hold him up

What a mighty bird he must be
What a mighty branch is me
Copyright © 2000 Marten Brudenell



"There is more pain in giving up than in failing."
Copyright © 2000 Tara Myers



"Live well, Laugh often, Love much!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Stevie A., Age 14 --- Wyoming



"Screws fall out all the time;
It's an imperfect world."
From the "Breakfast Club"
--- Submitted by Stacey Marie, Age 16 --- Massachusetts




"To attain happiness in another world we need only to believe something;
To secure it in this world, we must do something."
Charlotte Perkins Gilman --- Submitted by Giselle H., Age 14 --- Illinois



"I have learned that sometimes its not how much money you have,
What size house you live in or what kind of car you can drive.
But it is about being happy;
And being happy with your family and someone special to you.
That is all you need in life."
Nicholas Andrew H., Age 16 --- Ohio



"Live life at your own pace;
Don't worry about those speeding past you,
Or those slowly following behind."
Christina S., Age 17 --- California



"The two hardest things to handle are failure and success."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sean Y., Age 11 --- Michigan



Friendship

Each of us has a hidden place
Somewhere deep within ourselves;
A place where we go to get away,
To think things through,
To be alone, to be ourselves.

This unique place, where we confront our deepest feelings,
Becomes a storehouse of all our hopes,
All our needs, all our dreams,
And even our unspoken fears.

It encompasses the essence of who we are
And what we want to be.
But now and then, whether by chance or design,
Someone discovers a way into that place
We thought was ours alone.

And we allow that person to see, to feel and to share
All the reason, all the uncertainty
And all the emotion we've stored up there.
That person adds new perspective to our hidden realm,
Then quietly settles down in his own corner of our special place,
Where a bit of himself will stay forever.
And we call that person a friend.
Copyright © 2000 Alicia Smith



I want to thank you for being my Dad
For making me smile, when I'm feeling sad
For telling me I'm pretty when my self esteem is low
Thank you for letting me know

I'll never forget the day I heard you were ill
It was snowing that day and there was no school
I worried and wept as I began to frown
But then I thought, you never let me down

I prayed every night from that cold day on
I prayed for you Dad
And I reminded myself that you are strong

That day truly changed my outlook
I began to appreciate every breath that I took
I knew God would help us, but didn't know when

Then came the day when our lives changed
The telephone rang... And that's when I knew
God has chosen to give the gift of life to you

He knew you've been patient,
As each day went on
He knew you had hope,
That would never be gone

I thanked God that night,
For that twist of fate
And felt relieved
That it wasn't too late

Now you can give more winks and smiles
And that makes living my life much more worthwhile
P.S. --- New Jersey



"If you are already walking on thin ice, why not dance?"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by M.C., Age 14 --- California



"Don't worry about what other people think because all that matters is your happiness. Don't look for comebacks because your enemy will always have one more waiting for you. Don't judge yourself by your face and especially what others think. Judge yourself by the person you truly are. Think positive and be happy. Don't try to be anything for anyone and don't try to reach a goal for anyone but yourself. Be happy with who you are because the moment someone sees you smile, what they really see is a good, confident, independent girl and whether you believe it or not, that's what every girl would like to be."
Copyright © 2001 Brandi Simon



"Your past is behind you so let it be,
And save yourself from pain and misery."
M.M., Age 18 --- Virginia



"When we long for a life with less difficulties,
Remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds
And diamonds are made under pressure."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kayla B., Age 14 --- Nebraska



"Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible,
And suddenly you are doing the impossible."
Saint Francis of Assisi --- Submitted by Crystal B., Age 15 --- Missouri



Never be afraid to say no
Think carefully, be patient and take it slow
For a "no" can turn to a "yes"
But a "yes" can turn to a "regret"
Copyright © 2000 Diana D.H.T. Nguyen



"If you can't keep the promises you make, whether to yourself, to your God, or to others, how do you expect to get anywhere in life? Love, friendship, a job, self-esteem; all of these require a measure of respect and trust. Broken promises can kill both."
Copyright © 2000 Carol Rice



"What could you accomplish, if you knew it was impossible to fail?"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by A.M., Age 16 --- Illinois



"God is my strength. He's the power in what I do, the knowledge in what I say, the hope in my eyes, the peace in my heart, the core of my faith. He's love. He is not I will, but I am."
Copyright © 2001 Ashley Perrin



"Know that true friendship cannot be bought; it can only be found."
N.S., Age 16 --- Florida



"Don't worry about the past, it's over and through
There's nothing more you can do.
Don't fret about the future,
You have no way to know what it will bring.
Live for today, in the moment, and treasure every second.
It's the only way to truly be happy."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Megan S., Age 15 --- Maryland



"I asked God for a flower, He gave me a garden.
I asked for a tree, He gave me a forest.
I asked for a river, He gave me an ocean.
I asked for a friend, and He gave me you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Shannon M., Age 13 --- North Carolina



"You shouldn't have to wonder who your real friends are."
Copyright © 2001 Lindsey Kutsch



"In order to accept yourself,
In order to have determination,
You MUST BELIEVE in yourself."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Amanda A., Age 13 --- Ohio



"Life is too short to belittle."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jenny H., Age 16 --- Illinois



"If your time is worth giving, give it to someone who's worth it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by LaTiesha P., Age 15 --- Indiana



"An Angel does not run from life, he flies towards it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kathleen M., Age 16 --- Indiana



"We know that we cannot do every thing.
But we can obviously do something.
So let's start doing what we know we CAN do!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Saida M., Age 15 --- B.C., El Salvador



"Hard work can only take you as far as you have talent to go. But without hard work, you will never know how much talent you really have."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Juan S., Age 17 --- Texas



I Wish...

I wish that life was easier
And that grown-ups could give us more respect.
I wish they let us each be our own person,
And that we weren't always supposed to be perfect.

How come grown-ups never notice our smiles?
How come they always ask if we're okay?
I wish they'd see how happy we are,
Without hearing their worries each day.

I wish they could only see
How full of life we can be.
And I wish we could make our own dreams
Without hearing how unrealistic we seem.

We need all their support,
We don't need more insults
We need a solid friend to depend upon,
Simply because we're not quite adults.

We don't mean to blow-up or breakdown,
They need to understand,
A day can be tough,
And that's sometimes why it's just fine to frown.

Teen life is not so clear and easy.
There are highs but there are lows as well.
From first crushes and best friends-
To rejection and betrayal.

We don't want to be told of our potential
Or hear about the chances we're given,
We like to be free and wild,
And to just enjoy living.

I wish they'd see the lives we touch
And the differences we make.
We try so hard, and yet,
They never see all the chances we take.

Why can't they just accept us
And be happy with who we are.
I wish they could see our beauty
And not say our dreams, like stars, are too far.

Because sometimes these stars of ours are
Just our goals, and not much more,
And sometimes our goals
Are all that we may wish for.

I wish grown-ups could see
How amazing we can be,
That is my dream, my goal,
And of course, my only star.
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Elizabeth, Age 15 --- Connecticut



"I am on top of the world, and yet I stand here gazing up."
Copyright © 2001 Derek J. Calista



"Someone once told me it couldn't be done; that I would fail;
And that made the victory that much sweeter."
Copyright © 2001 Kristin Fiorillo



"Can't is a lazy word that won't try."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Matthew H., Age 15 --- Tennessee



"Best friends are like diamonds, precious and rare.
False friends are like leaves, found everywhere."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Niki T., Age 15 --- Maine



"Don't listen to your head, your gut, or other people.
Just follow your heart, and it will lead you the right way."
Tony (a close friend) --- Submitted by Kimberly S., Age 14 --- Florida



"It's not the meaning of living, but the feeling of living."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kristina L., Age 19 --- Ontario, Canada



"A life without thinking is no life."
Copyright © 2001 Jimmy Paska



"If you just sit around and wait for all the small pay-offs in life,
And take them when opportune,
You'll miss out on the big pay-off in the end."
Brandon K., Age 17 --- Indiana



"Truth has no responsibility to make us comfortable."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by L.R., Age 17 --- New Jersey



"Through my eyes I saw the world;
Through her eyes she showed me it."
Copyright © 2001 Kayla Ferry



"Don't hang on too long, but don't let go too soon."
Morrie Swartz --- Submitted by Katie L., Age 17 --- Wisconsin



"Everything happens for a reason."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by A.P., Age 18 --- Nevada



"Whichever way I turned that day
Has lead me to where I am today."
Copyright © 2001 Tim Kapelanski



"Every person has unique abilities and a special purpose. People must imitate no one, but trust in their own abilities. Society works against the liberty of the individual because it demands conformity. To be great, people must be self-reliant nonconformists, not afraid to be misunderstood."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Caitlin D., Age 15 --- Maryland



"Any dream worth dreaming, is worth the effort to make it some true."
Evan Gourley --- Submitted by C.G., Age 17 --- Pennsylvania



"Don't play not to lose,
Play to win."
Author Unknown
--- Submitted by 2000 High School Frosh Volleyball Team --- California




"When the rain starts to pour, I'll share my umbrella and we'll make it through the storm; warding off the windand struggling with the branches thrown across our feet."
Copyright © 2001 Leanna Lionas



I AM

I am a girl, who's fire burns transparent but seen,
Full of emotion and unexplainable curiosity.
I want to spread my wings and soar.

I am a teenager, rebellious yet cautious.
I want to be free from my parents, but then I run into their open arms
After glass has been shattered.

I am an athlete, wanting to excel and master.
Neglecting the pain of every fall, glorifying every triumph,
But intimidation taunts me as I watch someone else climax.

I am a person, with faults and imperfections,
Trying to shield myself from swords of hate
Wanting to stand up for my beliefs,
But who will listen to my powerless words and learn?

I am one, created in the image of God
I am what I accept myself to be.
Copyright © 1999 Amanda Costa



"For every minute you relax,
There is someone else one minute ahead of you.
The longer you relax, the further behind you fall.
Don't take one minute off from your dreams!"
Copyright © 2001 E.Martray



"Happiness is not something which you will find.
Happiness is something around you,
Waiting for you to join in!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Scotty B., Age 17 --- Herts, United Kingdom



"Man is born to live, not to prepare for life."
Boris Paternak --- Submitted by Ashley S., Age 15 --- Minnesota



"Guys may come and go, but friends are forever."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Gloria B., Age 16 --- Florida



"Often, goodbyes are necessary for you to be able to say hello to something even better, even though at the time, the goodbye is too painful for you to think of anything else. The hello will come along in no time, however, don't worry."
Copyright © 2001 Megan Snider



"To love yourself, is to allow others to love you."
Copyright © 2000 Amber Spechtenhauser



"The soul would have the rainbow had the eyes no tears."
John Cheney --- Submitted by Monica M., Age 14 --- New York



"What's the use of a smile if you don't use it?"
Copyright © 2001 Stephanie Ineson



"Don't let today become a regret of tomorrow."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Nicole T., Age 15 --- Maine



"Everything in life happens for a reason, don't try to figure it out."
Copyright © 2001 Darrin Rosenkrans



"Where there is will there is always a way."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ali T., Age 17 --- Qatar



"If you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Shannah J., Age 16 --- Ohio



"From day to day, nothing so surely defines the quality of our lives as the unwavering affirmation in the eyes, in the voices, in the presence of our friends. It is through them that we truly begin to know ourselves; and it is their affection that assures our dignity and worth."
Robert Sexton --- Submitted by L. K., Age 15 --- Pennsylvania



"Reputations are what men and women think of us,
Characters are what God and Angels know of us."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sinead C., Age 17 --- Herts, United Kingdom



"Never judge someone from the outside, always judge someone from the inside. You never know if that someone is truly innocent from the outside till you look deep from the inside. You finally found out they aren't what you thought they were. Judging someone isn't a good way to get a friend. Listen to your heart instead a little voice in your mind."
Copyright © 2000 Tara Hedrick



"Follow your dreams and follow your soul because if you don't,
You might just fall."
Copyright © 2001 Jimmy Paska



"The only way to the top is up."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Michael A., Age 13 --- Queensland, Australia



"Sometimes seemingly insignificant people have very significant thoughts."
Coach Bill Brown --- Submitted by Jennifer E., Age 19 --- Missouri



"To tell us that past times were better than today,
Is to evidence their inability to make things the best in the present."
Copyright © 2000 Madeline Almodovar



"The greatest happiness you can have comes from within yourself,
And controlled only by you."
Jade M., Age 14 --- Florida



"Give all of yourself,
Expect nothing,
And then you shall get everything."
Copyright © 2000 Mandy Stevens



"Tomorrow holds promises today couldn't fulfill."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by K. M., Age 17 --- Ohio



"The desire to win isn't needed as much
As the desire to prepare to win is."
Copyright © 2000 Andrew Roth



"Ignorance is bliss, they say. Simplicity is happiness. But for who? A life lived for yourself, is not a life worththe while. Be aware of the injustice and wrongs, and work to change them not for yourself, but so you canhave a life that was worth the while. Help others and God will help you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.D., Age 15 --- New Jersey



Kids Who Are Different

Here's to kids who are different
Kids who don't always get straight A's
Kids who have ears
Twice the size of their peers,
And noses that go on for days.

Here's to the kids who are different,
Kids they call crazy or dumb,
Kids who don't fit,
With the guts and the grit,
Who dance to a different drum.

Here's to the kids who are different,
Kids with a mischievous streak.
For when they have grown,
As history has shown,
It's their differences that make them unique.
Digby Wolfe --- Submitted by Kristen G., Age 16 --- Saskatchewan, Canada



People die... so love them everyday.
Beauty fades... so look before it's gone.
Love changes... but not the love you give.
And if you love, you will never be alone.
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Stacey M., Age 16 --- Massachusetts



"If you don't believe you can do it, then you won't.
If you believe you can, you will.
If you try and don't succeed, you can at least say you were there.
If you don't try, you missed out on life."
Copyright © 2000 Jackie Larsen



Rules of Life

Don't worry about what others think
Stay true to what you believe
Don't do things that you don't consider right
It will only hurt you in the end
Cry if you feel like crying
It can only make you feel better
Smile even if you think nothing is right in the world
You will thank yourself later
Don't think everything depends on you
Everyone has a part to play
Don't dwell on the past
It will ruin the future
Try to make the best of everything
Because you still have to deal with it
Don't tell lies
People may get the wrong idea
Treat everyone as a friend
You may need one someday
Don't give up
You can make it if you give it all you have
These are the rules of life that you mustn't forget
Everyone must fall and everyone must get up
Remember these statements and always know
That if no one else in the world cares,
God will
And if no one else in the world understands,
I will
Stephanie P., Age 15 --- Newfoundland, Canada



"Listen to me carefully now, I tell you this with an open mind and a free heart. Paint a portrait of life to be proud of that could not be sold for all the money on earth. Hang that portrait in your mind and understand it's ever presence. Reflect on every brush stroke that makes all the mountains and valleys and rivers and skies the most beautiful in the land. Share your portrait with others but beware their brushes. Select only those whose brush will add to the beauty and structure of your masterpiece."
Copyright © 2000 Chris Ensor



"Life is a game.
Sometimes it can be too short
So play it with everything you got!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Eric H., Age 16 --- Ohio



"Turn obstacles into opportunities."
Chris Brown --- Submitted by Anne L., Age 16 --- New York



"What is meant to last will last
So look towards the future but NEVER forget the past."
Copyright © 2000 Nicole Renzulli



"See it. Believe it. Achieve it."
Northridge High School Swim Team --- Submitted by Mandy C., Age 16 --- Indiana



"Life is not what you expect.
It's what you don't expect
That makes life worth living."
Copyright © 2000 Lauren Cairns



"Always follow your heart.
It knows the best and it will lead you in the right direction."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Maureen Z., Age 16 --- Pennsylvania