"MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR TEENS"
SUBMITTED BY TEENS



"Don't let your happiness depend on what everyone else thinks of you."
Written in 2003 by Brooke H., Age 15 --- Georgia



"love...as simple as a four letter word...as complicated as the world..."
Copyright © 2003 Dawayne J. Amos



"It's one thing to want to give up things in your life to love someone better. But if they ask you to give up the things you love, they are not interested in you; they are interested in themselves."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Emily R., Age 19 --- Utah



"What you do today directly affects what you GET to do in the future."
Written in 2003 by Jackie B., Age 16 --- Ohio
College soccer is an option, but only if I put in 100% today at the prospect of tomorrow.



"Sometimes the majority means that all the fools are on the same side."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Maria G., Age 16 --- Indiana



"When adversity takes the form of a personal tragedy, you must not see your entire life as not worth living. Recognize the value in yourself and in those you love. Seek out hope, not more despair. A personal tragedy is the worst form of adversity, but it, too, can teach you valuable lessons about learning to seize the moment and realizing the importance of the people you love in life."
Rick Pitino --- Submitted by Jill W., Age 19 --- Pennsylvania



If I could taste a moonbeam,
Could I dance on the rays of the sun?
Could I hold in my hand a piece of a star,
Or skip from planet to planet for fun?

If I could fly to the heights of the air,
Could I swim to the depths of the sea?
If I continued traveling North,
How far off would South be?

If I could travel through space and through time,
Could eventually I return home?
If I was given all the gems in the earth,
Would my heart in the end be my own?

If I had lived without living, been blind to all I had seen,
Would still I have thought all these wonderful thoughts,
Or dreamed these impossible dreams?
Copyright © 2003 Jocelyn Lukan



You make new friends and have a blast
But all this fun it'll never last
People change and so they grow
Then that's when you let them go
I know it's sad cuz now they're gone
But memories will last and your life goes on
Anonymous



"Maturity isn't measured by how you look, act, talk or dress. Maturity, true maturity, is how you respond when faced with a difficult decision."
Written in 2003 by Emily A., Age 17 --- Washington
A lot of my "friends" think I'm immature because I am free in expressing my joy. Just an encouragement for those who are looked down on by their peers because they know who they really are. Never change because someone else tells you to. It's not their life.



"Virginity is like a gift. It's something only you can control, and once you lose it, you can't get it back."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sarah P., Age 14 --- West Virginia



"People hate to make mistakes, and everyone wishes that they would have made the right decisions in life, but if there were someone there to tell you every right decision to make, would you listen? Or would you want to pick the decision to make on your own? I think you would pick for yourself just like any other human. So never wish not to make mistakes because every mistake you have ever made or ever will make, just makes you a better, stronger, wiser, and most of all the GREAT person you are today! If we never made mistakes the world would be a boring place full of perfect people that are all alike!!"
Copyright © 2003 Courtney Boyd
Never wish away anything about your life because everything in your life makes you, you!! I hope this quote can help some people!



"Strength is needed in all situations."
Copyright © 2003 Aly Seckinger
I made this quote after my boyfriend broke up with me. I bought a bracelet that said strength on it and I have never taken the bracelet off. It is a daily reminder to me that yes it is hard to do certain things in life but everyone has strength and it is always needed even for little things like getting over a boyfriend. I find it to be an extremely helpful quote.



"When pride and presumption walk before a man, shame and sorrow follow very closely."
Copyright © 2003 Keshan Lochan



"Life doesn't have to be complicated."
Written in 2003 by Matthew B., Age 17 --- Queensland, Australia
I use to worry about school and my personal problems. I would try soo hard to solve them but the harder I tried, the more complicated it became. So I relaxed and realized that there was a simple solution to my problems and there's a simple solution to everything because life doesn't have to be complicated. There are simple solutions to everything.



"Never make a promise you can't keep. You can tell a lot about a man by the promises he keeps and breaks."
Written in 2003 by Jenna C., Age 18 --- Illinois
This is how I live my life. I never make a promise I can't keep and once I make a promise, then I keep it. If I don't think it's possible, then I don't use the word promise. My family and friends all cherish that and respect that.



"Life is not a beauty contest and even if it was, not ALL the judges are going to like you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Desiree R., Age 18 --- Gauteng, South Africa
I always remember this when I feel like everyone is against me. It reminds me that I am here to be me and not to keep other people happy and to remember that not everyone is going to like me or my ideas and values.



"You can change the world; someone has to."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sammy M., Age 13 --- Florida



"You shouldn't be afraid of your shadow, your shadow should be afraid of you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Brent O., Age 16 --- Massachusetts



"Bad days are like rotten apples; throw them out and pick a fresh one."
Copyright © 2003 Stephani Saffel



"Men are like ants. They are so small as to have little comprehension of the magnitude of what exists beyond the artificial boundaries of their vision. Look beyond these boundaries and you may see that the planets and solar systems are also minute ants in comparison to their surroundings as well. See the world anew."
Copyright © 2003 William P. Ford



"Too many people miss seeing the silver lining because they are expecting gold."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Krista D., Age 13 --- Kansas



"Whenever the skies are dark and the air is cold, remember that there is always sun behind the clouds to warm your soul. If you feel like dancin' but someone else rains on your parade, remember that there will always be the people in the shadows shining bright for you. When you feel that you can't go on and want to give up, remember that I am always there behind you all the way, cheering you on and lifting you up, making you the star in my sky. Don't ever turn your back on the people you love, because we will always be here for you, always."
Copyright © 2003 Chris Hogan



"Your life is what you make it...if it turns to sh** it is your own fault."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Leilani S., Age 15 --- Colorado
I love this page. I think more people should come here!



"Sometimes our trusting hand that guides us through life won't always be there, and that's the time when you really grow up and face life for the first time. But that hand will always be close by."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Allison M., Age 19 --- Connecticut
Don't be fearful to grow up and be independent because if along the way you encounter a bump in theroad...someone will always be close by to help you!



"The past is just that, the past. Don't forget it, but also don't dwell on it. There's no special time machine to go back and change it. So deal with it. But there are things you can do to change what is going to happen. Think ahead, but not too far. For the future holds so many opportunities and promises that you have yet to discover. Listen, observe and learn. Life is a wonderful thing; all you have to do is allow it to be."
Written in 2003 by Missa H., Age 16 --- New Hampshire



"The bad things in life open your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Stephanie P., Age 13 --- England, United Kingdom



"Enemies are like gravity, they tend to weigh you down. Don't be anyone's enemy and instead, help them to fly with you."
Copyright © 2003 Thuyvi Vo
A magician actually helped me make up this quote. He said, "Everyone wishes they could fly and no onereally likes gravity," and for some reason, it got me thinking about the quote I made up.



"You can't get over someone until you accept the fact that you care about them."
Tristin --- Submitted by T.D., Age 16 --- Louisiana



"Being the highest isn't an accomplishment until you've started at the lowest."
BB and Jrob --- Submitted by Brendan and Jeff , Age 16 --- Iowa



"Never settle for less than your best. Your best is all anyone will ever ask of you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by J.S., Age 14 --- New York



"The future lies before you like freshly fallen snow, be careful where you step for every footstep shows."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Heather H., Age 17 --- Arizona



"Sometimes you have to let go of something in order to experience the best of what's out there for you."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Stacy P., Age 18 --- Ohio



"Life can be bad, bad like cookies n' cream ice cream on the ground bad. Or life can be good, good like sliding down hills of snow on pizza boxes good. Or life can just be life. Either way, it's never stopped for anyone or anything, so what makes you think this time is any different?"
Written in 2003 by J. G., Age 15 --- South Carolina



"It's easier to disregard differences than embrace them."
Copyright © 2003 Kathryn Unwin
Sad but true



If I can help somebody... ...as I pass along
If I can cheer somebody... ...with a word or song
If I can show somebody... ...he is traveling wrong
Then my living will not be in vain.
Martin Luther King Jr. --- Submitted by D.M., Age 17 --- New York
I think this is a great attitude to carry throughout life...for the greatest gift you can give yourself is to help others. Martin Luther King Jr. was a GREAT man.



"Imagination and determination create your reality."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sammy M., Age 13 --- Florida



"Wisdom is what you get from a lifetime of listening when you would have preferred to talk."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Alyssa E., Age 13 --- Alabama



"Following the footsteps of the man before you is a good way to start, but making your own footsteps is a better way to end."
Written in 2003 by Craig H., Age 16 --- New York



"If you don't like where you're standing, move your feet."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Ashley W., Age 16 --- Washington



Let Go

If your feelings are so strong,
And it's too hard to get along,
Knowing it's right,
But still feels so wrong,
To let go.

Waiting for a call.
Wanting to bawl.
Knowing that in the end,
That it all will fall.

Wanting to run.
Wanting to hide.
Wanting to say
What feels right inside.

But we do still know,
That at some point
We have to let go.

Wishing you were here.
I'm wishing I was there.
Wanting to act like
I don't even care.

Hoping your feelings
Are as strong as you say.
But I know, someday,
They will all fade away.

Knowing things
I don't want to know.
But this is the part
Where I must let go.
Written in 2003 by Kelsey S., Age 15 --- Nebraska



"We should not let people's limited perceptions define us."
Virginia Satir --- Submitted by D.W., Age 16 --- British Columbia, Canada



"No matter how much you love someone, you can't change them. People are the way they are and all you can do is be an influence on them. Be an example of goodness and truth. Someday they'll come around and hopefully you'll be there to see it happen."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Kimberlee H., Age 16 --- California
This was about someone I love, that I thought I could change for the better. But as it turns out people never change. So now I'm off to find what I want in life, someone who has the same goals and beliefs.



"You have to go up a hill to go down it."
Copyright © 2003 Nishar Ghiya



"The Future of Tomorrow Depends upon Today."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Tara V., Age 16 --- Rhode Island



"Keep you head up, don't fall behind.
Be the leader of the pack, not the end of the line."
Copyright © 2003 Aleana Deplazes
This was written for all of my sisters' and some of my good friends because recently, their close friendcommitted suicide and they really needed something to help them and I decided I would think of something to help.



"Let it be known, that without love and compassion the heart seizes to beat."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Mani A., Age 15 --- Muscat, Oman



"Maturity begins when a child realizes his parents aren't perfect. It's reached when he forgives them."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by T.W., Age 16 --- Oregon



"Popularity fades - being a good person doesn't."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by D.M.R., Age 18 --- Gauteng, South Africa



"Whatever seems like a big deal is soon to be forgotten."
Julia Stiles --- Submitted by Kim J., Age 13 --- Michigan



"Live your life like no one has ever lived. Instead of trying to make a difference in others, try making a difference in your life first. If your life seems weird, go for it, weird is not bad. Shaping your life as others want is a waste, shape your life as you want."
Copyright © 2003 Nisha Soni



"5 dollars is worth how much? 5 dollars. Place the 5 dollars on the ground and yell and scream at it. How much is it worth now? Still 5 dollars. Rip the 5 dollar bill up (by the way you can take ripped money to the banks and they will give you a brand new money as long as the number on the dollar bill is still readable) and how much is it worth now? After you take it to the bank, still 5 dollars. You are like money. No matter how much you have been verbally or physically abused you are always gonna be worth the same value you always were. You can never lose your value."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Karie Z., Age 13 --- Wisconsin



"Have no regrets, just lessons."
Written by Angela V., Age 17 --- Ontario, Canada
One day I was talking to a friend about my life and I was like, you know, I have no regrets just lessons. That has been my motto for the rest of my life now and I wanted to share it with the world.



"If you wake in the morning and are perfectly happy with yourself, why would you care what the rest of the world thinks? You are your biggest critic."
Written in 2003 by Kelsey I., Age 15 --- British Columbia, Canada
No matter what, you can't be categorized if you don't believe them. So when you wake up and look in the mirror, be happy and not sad, for those who said what they said, are doing the exact same thing.



"Better to get a stiff neck from aiming too high than a hunch back from aiming too low."
Jacques Chancel --- Submitted by Kate L., Age 17 --- Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia



"Think like a person of action, act like a person of thought!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Tawni B., Age 15 --- South Africa
Think about it, it makes perfect sense. It is my favorite. For all of you looking for inspiration...my thoughts are with you. I hope this quote can put a smile on your face. All my love, your friend from South Africa.



"Whenever the skies are dark and the air is cold, remember that there is always sun behind the clouds to warm your soul. If you feel like dancin', but someone else rains on your parade, remember that there will always be the people in the shadows shining bright for you. When you feel that you can't go on and want to give up, remember that I am always there behind you all the way, cheering you on and lifting you up, making you the star in my sky. Don't ever turn your back on the people you love, because we will always be here for you, always."
Copyright © 2003 Chris Hogan



"Live boldly, daringly and fearlessly."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Bhattu L., Age 18 --- Andhra Pradesh, India



"The eyes never lie. They're the reaction from your mind and your minds acts upon what your heart says and your heart carries out what your soul feels."
Copyright © 2003 Johnathan Tarver
I try to motivate my peers everyday and also my myself. When my mom passed, it helped me by converting everyday thoughts into motivational pieces!!!



"Your body dies when you heart stops beating, but your soul dies when you stop dreaming."
Written in 2003 by Katrina O., Age 16 --- British Columbia, Canada
Everyone has dreams; some just work harder to make those dreams come true.



"Give your heart away easily; be ready to be hurt easily."
Written in 2003 by Starlie M., Age 18 --- California



"When something has been with you for a while it's hard to let it go."
Nick T.
      Submitted by Kelly F., Age 17 --- Missouri

A friend of mine said this to me one night and I thought he was just joking around, but the more I thought about it I realized that was very true about a lot of things in life. It's really hard to let go of things, especially feelings, but sometimes it the best thing to do!



"If someone is mad at you, don't always think of what you did.
It could have been something you DIDN'T do."
Written in 2002 by Jess W., Age 14 --- New Hampshire



"If you think you made the wrong decision about something, ask your heart... not your head. Your head will tell you what is more sensible. Your heart, on the other hand, will tell you what is true. And what is true.. is forever."
Copyright © 2003 Lora Bogner



"Wounds heal, but regret is forever."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Alycia C., Age 17 --- Texas
My softball coach always told us this quote because he wanted us to go all out for every ball. I always keep this quote in the back of my mind letting me know to give 110%.