"MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR TEENS"
SUBMITTED BY TEENS
"Life is all about good music and smiles. Make it happen."
Copyright © 2002 Kayla Ponzio
"The world is like a mirror.
If you face it smiling, it smiles back."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by A.T., Age 13 --- Ontario, Canada
"Practice is never easy.
It's only as easy as you make it."
Written in 2002 by Brandi B., Age 16 --- Indiana
"The world is a stage...and all eyes are on you...so get your act together."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Brittney H., Age 17 --- Ohio
"The most permanent lessons in morals are those which come, not of booky teaching, but of experience."
Mark Twain --- Submitted by Kristen L., Age 16 --- New York
"When something can't be changed,
Find a way to get around it or find a way to get over it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Lindsey I., Age 17 --- Michigan
"Do not think of your faults; still less of others' faults. Look for what is good and strong and try to imitate it. Your faults will drop off like dead leaves when their time comes."
John Ruskin --- Submitted by Justyna B., Age 13 --- Alberta, Canada
"The finer things in life are usually what you already have...
They just sometimes go un-noticed."
Copyright © 2002 Shelly Hays
"In the beginning, life is but a rough sketch.
In the end, life is a canvas of colors."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Lisa S., Age 15 --- Ontario, Canada
"Always take comfort in knowing that you are independent enough;
That you do not need to rely on anyone else for your own happiness."
Copyright © 2002 Pam Cook
"Sometimes you have to take life by both hands and walk with it!"
Copyright © 2002 Josh Denney
I have found this quote to be quite true because if you're trying to fight life, then you will lose. Life's not how or what happened to you, its how and what you do to it and how you make an impact on your own life! No one else can live your life for you, so live it up!
"You should never let anyone make you feel as if you do not deserve what you want."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Marie C., Age 15 --- New Jersey
"It's funny how the people who have more seem less happy with what they have;
Yet, people who have less seem happier with what they have."
Copyright © 2002 Patrick McNeilly
"If there's one thing I've learned, it's that there is no substitution for paying attention."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by KT N., Age 17 --- South Carolina
"Racism is a problem we all have to deal with, whether we are white or black or purple or green. Racism is when people are afraid of something new or unusual to them. Racism is inside all of us, but it is our choice if we use it or not. Make the right choice."
Written in 2002 by L.S., Age 14 --- California
"Knowing is half the battle!!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kelly B., Age 18 --- Pennsylvania
"Sometimes I feel this is too good to be true,
I sabotage myself for fear of what my joy could do."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by L.B., Age 16 --- Indiana
"Think you're the best---you will be the best.
Think you can win---you will win.
Play the game fairly,
You already are a winner."
Copyright © 2002 Adam Bailey
"When you reach your goal, stop and be proud of what you accomplished, and what you know have. Cherish it, then let it go, let it float into emptiness. For it is what we don't have, that drives the human being to the extreme."
Copyright © 2002 Jason Gonzales (Dedicated to Wendy)
For a standardized test, we were presented the question:
"If you were on the first mission to greet an alien race,
What three things would you bring from earth to make peace with them?"
My answer, and new philosophy:
"Simply, the three things that fix anything: love, time & duct tape."
Copyright © 2002 Haley "Super Peachy" Hegeman
Graduation Day
The high school memories will never fade
So promise to always remember me.
Throughout the years we always had it made
The times that passed will never again be.
It seems the road of life was hard to see
Now days, it does not seem so far away.
Do not forget the days of you and me,
When we would just talk and when we would just play.
I never thought I would dread such a day,
Now I cannot help but long for the past.
The time has come to go separate ways
I just hope our high school memories last.
So May twenty-third don't cry at the end
Just remember you are always my friend."
Copyright © 2002 Linz Austin
"Don't give up; what's the point?"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Y.F., Age 15 --- British Columbia, Canada
"The heart that is afraid of breaking never takes the chance.
The dream that is afraid of waking never lives."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Gerardo E., Age 16 --- United Kingdom
"Forgiveness means letting go of a hurtful situation
And moving on with your own happiness."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kris D., Age 15 --- Kentucky
"Let go of the bad things...
And hold on to the good things as long as you can."
Written in 2002 by Ryan M., Age 16 --- Oregon
"I hope this may help some to know that if others that haven't found their destiny in their life it will come. But you must use a virtue that is precious; patience is the virtue I speak of and another is faith, with which comes hope. If you can grasp these at once, then don't worry. But there is one more thing that will definitely help you in your journey, but at last, you must figure out that one. When you have found the end to your journey, there will be another one waiting for you; but this one, greater, which will give you all that you need."
Copyright © 2002 Tyler Wilcox
"Happiness is not an object to be found but a skill to be learned."
Robert Beach --- Submitted by Ashley G., Age 16 --- Missouri
My daddy, Robert, told me the quote when our family was going through some difficult times. He died about 6 months later from colon cancer. I think about his words often when I'm struggling to be happy. All I do is say the quote to my self and I realize I, myself, have the power to make me happy.
Lying in bed at night, with the moon shining upon your face,
It's easy to imagine your soul drifting to another place.
Millions of miles away, dancing upon a moonbeams path
Leaping gracefully from one twinkling star to another
Swirling lights zipping brilliantly on past.
Twirling with the Northern Lights, spinning 'round the clouds
In this majestic world of the night, anything is allowed.
Surveying the earth below you, without making a sound,
The whole world seems silent, hushed to the very core...
Then you're leaping over endless oceans in a single bound.
The white-faced moon is starting to dim; the world will soon awake.
When the moon leaves, with it, this magic it'll take.
But for this moment, you can dance or laugh or cry or leap
For close to your heart, and hidden deep within your soul,
Forever to be yours to treasure, this secret you shall keep.
Copyright © 2002 Jenn Michelau
"I live my life a quarter mile at a time; for those 10 seconds or less, I'm free."
The Fast And The Furious --- Submitted by Casey M., Age 15 --- Ontario, Canada
"Every exit is an entrance."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Vanessa J.R., Age 16 --- Texas
"When the world lets you down and you think that everyone else has shut you out, look next to you and there will be the people that really care. You can tell that they care if they are there whether they are wrong or right."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Paige G., Age 14 --- New Jersey
"It's the little things in life that make it mean so much,
The sun, the rain, the sky, the thoughts, and the touch.
If we let these precious things float out to endless sea,
We lose our life, our love, and all our reason to be."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by C.S., Age 17 --- Pennsylvania
"Problems cause stress;
Challenges make success!"
Written in 2002 by Olly C-H., Age 18 --- Kent, United Kingdom
"There is beauty in everything you see; you just have to look."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Raechel P., Age 14 --- Michigan
"As you walk through life remember one important thing, no matter how big a problem is, no matter how hard the path may be, I will always be right there beside you to listen to you and help you along the journey."
Copyright © 2002 Adam Peterson
"If you can't find happiness within you--expect not to find it elsewhere."
Copyright © 2002 Holly Nicole Chamblee
"There are so many simple lessons to learn in life and there are some people who have the most wondrous ability to capture the total essence of these things in the most beautiful and unique ways. We can learn so much from these people and what they give to us. It is truly amazing though, when these people don't even realize what they are doing is so very meaningful because they are beautiful in themselves."
Copyright © 2002 Justiss Kallos
"The truth is everyone has great things about him or her. You just have to have confidence in yourself, so others can see them!"
Written in 2002 by Jenny K., Age 16 --- New Jersey
I watched many of my friends sink into deep depression because they felt they were too ugly and didn't fit in. Everyone needs to realize we all are special and beautiful and we shouldn't let anyone tell us otherwise.
"To compare yourself to another is like comparing yourself with someone you will never be. Instead try to realize the truth about who you are and start there."
Copyright © 2002 Hubert Tse
"Live your life like a star. Make an impression that will last a thousand years after you're gone."
Written in 2002 by Caitlin C., Age 15 --- Ontario, Canada
FRIENDSHIP
Friendship is knowing, no matter what, I will always care
When the times get rough, and you feel alone,
I will show up, and prove I will be there.
Friendship is knowing that there will always be a hug
To get you past the pain and suffering,
And to show that you are loved.
Friendship is knowing that you yourself can also help
And when you are needed for strength and guidance,
You will be able to show the love you have felt.
True friendship is everlasting, and can never disappear
For even if you are scared, and try to hide,
I will always be found there.
Written in 2002 by M.O., Age 16 --- Newfoundland, Canada
"Bend, don't break."
Coach Murphy --- Submitted by Chris D., Age 17 --- Utah
WHO YOU ARE
You are my best friend, that, I hope you know.
You've been there to guide me and to help me grow.
You are my sister there to comfort me when I cry,
There to make me happy when my day drags by.
Always there with a listening ear and a guiding word.
Not there to judge me just trying to be heard.
But best of all, you are there for me,
Even when I don't deserve you to be.
When I've done something stupid, you stood by me.
Through my ups and downs and all the times I fell
You've been there to help pick me up
Cuz that who you are.
Copyright © 2001 Carley Ufer
"Have heart for the ones you love, because in the end it all comes back to you."
Copyright © 2002 Emily Olsen
"Like people for their hearts, not for their looks."
Copyright © 2002 Audrey Hannigan
"Don't be intimidated by people. Trust yourself to show them what you can do."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Alaine J., Age 13 --- California
"Expressing yourself through writing is like letting your soul fly free."
Copyright © 2002 Rebecca Page
"Nothing in life is so hard that you can't make it easier by the way you take it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jenna L., Age 17 --- Oklahoma
"Listen carefully; speak cautiously, love unconditionally."
Written in 2002 by Nidhi K., Age 15 --- Trinidad and Tobago
"The greatest strength one has is merely knowing one's weakness."
Copyright © 2002 Dovie Watson
"Do what you do the best that you can; you're the only one who can shape your future because what you get out of life is what you put into it."
Written in 2001 by Christine M., Age 16 --- Massachusetts
"Not everyone can be a hero. Some of us have to sit on the curb and clap as they go by."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sarah M., Age 15 --- California
"If ever someone says someone is not normal because of the way s/he speaks, dresses, or looks, ask him or her to define normal. Normal doesn't exist when referring to people."
Copyright © 2002 Paula McLeese
"Don't worry about who's watching you, or what they're thinking.
Just go out there and play for yourself; you're the only one that really matters."
Lisa DeWitt (my basketball coach) --- Submitted by Jill K., Age 13 --- Iowa
"You don't have to be great to get started but you have to get started to be great"
Les Brown --- Submitted by Rachel P., Age 16 --- California
"Always be yourself; there is no one better fit for the job."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sonja T., Age 15 --- Connecticut
"Love is like the wind; you can't see it but you can feel it."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Paige W., Age 15 --- South Dakota
"Your parents may take care of you, but they can't choose your path."
Copyright © 2002 Chase Johns
"Good things come to those who wait; but those who never ask, will wait forever."
Written in 2002 by Sara P., Age 15 --- Alberta, Canada
"Never live up to expectations other than your own. Once you try to be what someone else wants you to be, you forget who you are and why you are doing what you were doing in the first place. The only way to be truly happy is to make sure you are happy first. Live your own life; don't live someone else's for them."
Written in 2002 by A. S., Age 15 --- Qld, Australia
"Think back on your life thus far. You don't remember the days where you sat on your butt watching TV. You remember the days where you did something exciting and different. Same goes for now; get up and do something to remember!"
Copyright © 2002 Melissa Hayne
Life is not a rehearsal,
It should be lived to the max.
Don't be afraid to be you,
And don't waste a second.
Live, just because you can.
Copyright © 2002 Hayley Gibbs
"Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by E.S., Age 15 --- Michigan
"The easiest thing you can do in life is quit."
Coach Ron Davini --- Submitted by J.C., Age 17 --- Arizona
"Maybe we're just young and naive. Maybe everything will all make sense one day. Maybe the things we believe in the most will turn out not to be so true. But until that day, let us be young and naive and let us believe in what we want to believe. Let us live life, and live it to the fullest. Because there's nothing greater than the experience of love and life and everything in between."
Copyright © 2002 Lauren Pommier
"We only think life for us is hard because we're curious and want to know the answers, that a lifetime will teach us, right now."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Charlotte M., Age 17 --- New York
"Always look ahead of you and never turn back. What's done is done and you can never change it. Know that there is always someone worse off then you, and for every down time you have, you will have a better time to make up for it."
Written in 2002 by Sarah S., Age 13 --- Massachusetts
"There's only one chance; take advantage of the opportunity you get because there's always someone waiting to take your spot."
Copyright © 2002 Reginald Belle
"Respect is the key to life; unlock the door."
Copyright © 2002 Kathrina Occean
"The hue of our destination is composed of many tones."
Copyright © 2002 Nichole Troe
"The day you say to yourself "I want to be me" is the day that you have succeeded."
Written in 2002 by Nicole V., Age 14 --- Washington
"No one who kept trying felt defeat."
Copyright © 2002 Sheena Jacob
"Some people change when they see the light, others when they feel the heat."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Taylor X., Age 14 --- Wisconsin
A coach once asked my "Why?" and I said, "Because if I didn't, I would have wondered for the rest of my life what would have happened if I did."
Copyright © 2002 J.M. Teague
"We can't change the way the world works, but we can work with it."
Copyright © 2002 Jessica Wall
"No knot unties itself, but every knot was once a straight rope."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by H.M., Age 15 --- Illinois