"MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR TEENS"
SUBMITTED BY TEENS



"Never go away from something saying could've, would've, should've."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Broc G., Age 15 --- Minnesota
For everyone who says this everyday



"A teammate comes from passing off pressure; a leader comes from taking in that pressure."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Craig H., Age 16 --- New York



"Don't judge others because they don't look like everyone else; applaud then because they are themselves."
Copyright © 2003 Stephanie Ringer



"Life is like a jack in the box. There's always some type of surprise that will make your heart skip a beat."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ali L., Age 17 --- Iowa



Finally Moved On

When you were gone I saw no light,
As if my eyes had lost their sight.
You were my everything, my life, my world
You left me lost, a bloom uncurled.
But that light I lost is shining through,
I finally found how to forget you.

Happiness is mine to feel once again,
I've found another to love and befriend.
He's sweet and kind and makes me laugh,
Everything you were won't amount to half.
Another has taken your place in my heart,
But you will remain a significant part.
You were my past, my past is now gone....
Now he's my present; I've finally moved on.
Copyright © 2003 Amanda Sarinana
Moving on was something I thought I would never be able to do. It took meeting that special one to help me realize it. There's somebody out there for everyone. If he doesn't love you that just means someone else loves you more. The matter is in finding them.



"Always remember who your friends once were and cherish every moment with them now, because someday you may grow apart or never see each other again and that friendship you once had would be gone forever."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Court S., Age 14 --- Florida
Dedicated to all my friends. I hope none of you guys ever change!!!



"Life throws you lots of balls. Don't worry if at first you don't catch them all, because over time you will learn how."
Written in 2003 by Kate C., Age 14 --- Georgia



"Hold on if you ever feel like letting go; keep going, don't let anything stop you. Always remember, you are your own person and no one can change you."
Written in 2003 by Claire R., Age 13 --- Louisiana



"Sometimes things aren't always as they seem...until you take a good long look at what it really is....and not what you want it to be. Then and only then will you see the answer...or in some cases...the problem."
Written in 2003 by M.S., Age 17 --- Ontario, Canada



"I know I have a heart because I can feel it breaking."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jena, Age 14 --- Wisconsin



"I thought that doing what you wanted would make you stay, but it only seems to have pushed you away.Remember everyone, that you don't have to change for anyone, and if they don't like you the way they are, then find someone who does like you, for you, not some fake image."
Written in 2002 by S.B., Age 16 --- Ontario, Canada
I almost learnt this the hard way. I hope it doesn't happen to you.



"I would ride the roller coaster called life a million times over, if it meant seeing your face when I got off."
Copyright © 2003 Erin Slade
I wrote this to a very special someone who helped me through a rough patch in my life. He helped me see the light. If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be who I am today.



"No matter how hard things get, and no matter how bad everything seems, even if it feels like the entire world is against you-including God, just look right next to you. There I'll be. Standing there ready to catch you if you fall and ready to pick you up, for you have given me things that I never knew were possible. A kind word, even a smile, and with that you became my friend. I owe you my life because with every nice thing you did for me, you kept me alive that much longer."
Copyright © 2003 Stephanie Sterk



"I'd rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kelly S., Age 15 --- California
My mom told me this. It honestly made me think.



"Sometimes, in the midst of times, all you need is one word to have an easing comfort surround you."
Copyright © 2003 Sunita Chansingh



Destiny is something you're born with
Dreams are those that you create
In the end, if you believe,
Dreams become Destiny
Written in 2003 by Tiziana C., Age 16 --- Ontario, Canada



"Never give up on your dreams, because without your dreams all you're left with is reality."
Copyright © 2003 Becky Truenow



"When life tinkles in your pool of opportunities, add some chlorine, and keep on swimming."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kelsey B., Age 17 --- Oklahoma



"Friends are like gold....but A LOT more valuable."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Megan K., Age 14 --- Nebraska



"Life is so significant because all questions aren't always answered and there are never any guarantees. You have to put all your faith into whatever it is you want so bad."
Written in 2003 by Erika, Age 16 --- New Jersey



"Life is like soccer.... you need goals!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ang, Age 14 --- Utah



"When life hands you a horse, go jump the highest fence!"
Copyright © 2002 Meredith Bosway



"'Perfect' is not found in the game of life."
Written in 2002 by Candice W., Age 16 --- British Columbia, Canada



"Nothing is more important in life, then staying alive."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kristin R., Age 14 ---Kansas
I was in class one day and my teacher was talking and said this and I think it's a really good quote.



"Think about the importance of some decisions a little harder before quickly jumping to conclusions."
Copyright © 2002 Dave Pitre



"You say I'm a dreamer, I say you're a non-believer."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jessica D., Age 17 --- Georgia



"Instead of spending time worrying about that one person who doesn't like you, take time to be thankful for all those people who love you!"
Written in 2002 by I. M., Age 16 --- Wisconsin



"If you can't have what you want, start wanting what you've got."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Maire M., Age 16 --- Illinois



Seize the Day

Just a moment in this lifetime,
Just a tragedy ahead.
Not knowing where each turn will lead,
Within seconds we might be dead.
Live each day to the fullest,
Do not stop to wonder why.
Do everything your heart desires,
In dreams, reach for the sky.
Surprises and every stop sign,
With its share of wrong ways and dead-ends.
Statistics don't help you with the future,
They only tell you where you've been.
With so many people among us,
There are no certainties.
And all it takes is just one person,
To reroute history.
Don't waste one single moment,
How very precious that they are.
What seems a long way off,
Is really not that far.
Teal Henderson --- Submitted by Liz T. --- Wisconsin



"Life isn't easy and you can't stop it or go back to the past, so you might as well suck it up and go."
Copyright © 2002 Katherine McLaughlin



"Life is a journey... a world to explore, a race to win, a river to cross, a voyage to sail and a pilgrimage to walk. In our life, we make our own choices, our own destiny and our own story. Life is a very big challenge for us knowing that we there's always trials and difficulties on the road we're traversing. It becomes more difficult as we go along on our journey, but it also gives us the strength and courage to persist and to go on. We make our own lives, our lives depend on us, so we just have to be determined and trust that in every road in our lives, we can surpass every challenge. Trust yourself and trust that GOD is always with us... There's nothing to fear, really. Just go on and continue your journey through life...YOU CAN DO IT!!"
Written by Niña P., Age 15 --- Ontario, Canada
These are some excerpts from the essay I personally wrote.



"Even though times are tough, you know that with the heart and will that God has given you, you can succeed in all. But if you don't succeed, then you know that you aren't using the gift God gave you. So use God's gift to the fullest . He gave it to you so you can succeed."
Written in 2003 by Brittaney R., Age 16 --- Minnesota



"Never hold back or you will eventually be held back."
Copyright © 2003 Kelsey Jenkins



"Hold the rope."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Jen C., Age 17 --- Virginia
An old swim team coach used to say this to the team, and we didn't really understand what it meant. Then we realized that it can mean many things, it just depends on how you interpret it. We interpreted it as meaning, "you are a team, and to be successful you must hold up your end of the bargain. Other people depend on you." I've always been inspired by this quote, and it helps me to remember that with an "I"..there is also usually a "We"



"Learn to speak up for yourself and not bite your tongue. Don't allow people to talk down and make you feel how you shouldn't feel. Don't put up with people putting you down. Have the courage and confidence to protect yourself."
Submitted by Samantha H., Age 15 --- Wisconsin
I created this quote for a few reasons. I have a great friend whose boyfriend (who is also one of my close friends) keeps putting her down and she takes it all and never says a word back to him to stop him. She always has a smile on her face no matter what, but when he puts her down, she gets sad and the smile disappears. It makes me sad to see that happening. I also have learned to not put up with people putting me or others around me down, I get the courage and do not bite my tongue.



"A bird can't fly with a broken wing, but the bird can still walk."
Copyright © 2003 Yvette Lanier



"Cherish your life for what it is, not what you want it to be."
Copyright © 2003 Lauren Shade



"Contentment is not the attainment of everything you want, but it is the realization of the much you already have."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Samantha T., Age 17 --- Singapore



"We all try to act like we're so important-doctors, lawyers, artists-but we really don't know that at any moment our pants might fall down."
Louis Sachar --- Submitted by Rachel K., Age 13 --- Illinois
Always makes me smile. Remember please! You are great and wonderful but so is everybody else in their own way. Don't act like you're better than them.



"Being different for the sake of being different is child's play. Being different for the sake of making a difference is another thing altogether. That's for those who want their lives to count for something."
Neale Donald Walsch --- Submitted by Kimmy C., Age 14 --- Ontario, Canada



"We cannot change the past; we cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play the one string we have left, and that is our attitude."
Charles Swindoll --- Submitted by Maureen L., Age 15 --- Pennsylvania
I have this posted in my locker and I remember it on a bad day. : )



Laugh when nothing's funny.
Dance when there's no music.
Sing when you can't.
Smile when you have no reason to.
Make life worth living.
Copyright © 2003 Rachel Kirchoefer



"Always listen to your heart. Nothing knows you and your instincts better."
Copyright © 2003 Jaskaran Singh



"Love is like war, easy to start, hard to end."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by V.H., Age 13 --- Wisconsin



"In High School, I found one of life's biggest truths; help others. If you light just one candle, the darkness disperses. So go out, serve others, because there is always someone with his or her head hung lower than yours. After you light one candle you will know this truth and this truth will set you free. Peace and God bless everyone."
Copyright © 2003 William D. Snyder III



"There are no dull subjects; there are only dull writers."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Pola L., Age 15 --- Warsaw, Poland



"Do not consider painful what is good for you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Barb E., Age 17 --- Wisconsin



"Everything in life is precious; friends, family and siblings. It's just how you look at things. Be grateful for what you have cause you never know, someday that what you had will be gone, and that's when you will miss it the most!"
Copyright © 2003 Jen Knox



"The world is tough to live in; you have to prove yourself in order to survive."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Michelle M., Age 18 --- Ohio, United States
In the world we live in today, you are always going to be judged. The only way to survive these judgments is by proving yourself.



"I've been there, through the sweat, through the blood and never have I seen such spirit, such spirit tie eleven men so closely together. This, among all things in life, is untouchable by even love. For not even the greatest of romances can overtake that bond between a man and his team. One of honor, diligence, integrity, and an undying desire to rise above all challenges. I've been there, and it's a place only few go. Give what you've got, and earn your place among the best, and you'll experience that which no other athlete has. True love."
Copyright © 2002 Andrew Adams
For the men who give everything they have every day on the field with me. "'Till the end!"



"Once you realize your full potential, the competition doesn't stand a chance."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ashley W., Age 16 --- Washington
We're all stronger then we know.



"The secret to life is that there are no secrets; you learn as you go!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Adrina B., Age 17 --- Florida



"Scars, seen or unseen, shape who we are today."
Written in 2003 by Angela M., Age 15 --- Oklahoma



"The impressions you make, as you leave a place behind, will always mean more then anything you take with you."
Written in 2003 by Stephani S., Age 14 --- Texas
Actions are remembered long after words are said, so in the end, its not what you've said that made a difference, it's what you've done along the way.



"If you're waiting for time to change things, then you're wasting your time."
Copyright © 2003 Britni Adair



"It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle you will find a stronger sense of who you are, and you will see yourself developing into the person you have always wanted to be."
Deanna Beisser --- Submitted by M.H., Age 17 --- Pennsylvania



"Trying and failing is NOT ALL bad.
Trying and failing & NOT LEARNING anything is bad."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Trevor S., Age 14 --- Kansas



"You might think I am strange, but I am just living my life the way I want, which is odd."
Copyright © 2002 Adam Goodrich



"The only one that can stop your dreams is you, by not believing in yourself."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by L.P., Age 13 --- New Hampshire