MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES FOR TEENS
SUBMITTED BY TEENS



"It takes one moment to prove stupidity and one lifetime to prove wisdom."
Written in 2007 by Molly P., Age 15 --- Colorado
Like most of us I have learned this the hard way. The climb to the top is difficult and it is easy to fall but perseverance shows great rewards at the end.



"The more time you spend with the person you like, the more you will become like that person."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Cherry Lei E., Age 18 --- Philippines



"True friendship is when the silence between you is comfortable."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Nicole C., Age 16 --- Florida



"Love: It's an amazing thing. It's powerful, it's pain, most of all, it's life."
Written in 2005 by Stephanie W., Age 15 --- Canada
This was written during one of those times when sometimes you just sit down and think, and for some reason that's what came to my mind. Hope you enjoy it.





"Everyone has low points in their life. What defines us is the way we choose to pick ourselves back up."
Written in 2007 by Michael B., Age 14 --- W.A, Australia
This quote came to me during a particularly low time in my life. I realized no matter how big the mess I made, it was fixable, but only I could clean it up. I also learned that it is never too late to turn your life around. I hope this helps people who were in a similar situation to mine.



"People that don't think before they know, don't know what they think. Written in 2007 by Deaver A., Age 13 --- Tennessee



"A 'STUDENT' is 'S'upposed 'T'o 'U'nderstand 'D'evelop 'E'xchange 'N'ew 'T'hings."
Written in 2007 by Prashanth Srinivas --- India
It is because the concept of 'STUDENT' itself is quite different in the minds of today's modern students.



"People can say all they want about you. But you see, the thing is, that is their problem. Do not rely on what people think or say. You see it's our choices in life and everything else that affects and makes up who we are, not other people or what they say. It all comes down to your own self."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by S.H.H., Age 15 --- Singapore



"Try not to live in the past or present, rather live in your future. For when the time comes, you'll know exactly what to do and you can hold your head high."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Sam S., Age 16 --- Arizona
I remember reading this somewhere and it was at a time when I was feeling down. I was having a hard time with school, family and friends. When I read it, I understood what I had to do--try not to look behind me or stay in my present. It worked and I still try to remember to go on like that.



"For I have learned to be content, no matter what the circumstances are."
Philippians 4:11 --- Submitted by Casey C., Age 15 --- Tennessee
I found this bible verse and it really stuck out to me. Right now, with high school being so stressful and life being flat out hectic, I honestly needed a lift...and that's what this verse did for me. It gave me a different perspective on how to look at things. The verse itself means to learn to be content/happy no matter what the circumstances may be. So, I am going to live life and be happy, even if someone next to me is having a bad day. I am going to have an awesome day, even if its raining outside, my day is going to be bright and filled with sunshine. Well you get the point. Anyways, I hope that you take the days that you are given and turn each and every moment into happiness.



"Never let anyone rub off on you. Be optimistic; always look forward to the days ahead of you, work hard, and just do your best! Do your very best! Remember to look forward; don't look back!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Nur Hakimah Z., Age 16 --- Malaysia



"Tu peux le faire."
Mr. Louis --- Submitted by Kate F., Age 15 --- Wisconsin
In English, it means "You can do it." I went to a French camp, and the director told us this story about a troubled teen who pushed himself through a life-changing experience by telling this to himself. I do gymnastics and when I am standing on the beam, nervous, about doing my hardest move, I say this to myself.



"When you are hurt, people look at you and say, "Oh, it's okay. Everything happens for a reason." But when it's them, it's the whole world."
Written in 2007 by Tanisha B., Age 14 --- Delaware
People can be so evil. That's why you have to live and learn what life is really about. When that's you, you find that life is full of positive things if you just stay away from the negative.



"Failures lead to success."
Written in 2007 by K.A., Age 18 --- Malaysia
We learn ways to overcome from making the same mistakes.



"I don't want to look back on my life and think about all the things that I could have done, and sit here now wondering why I didn't change something about it."
Written in 2007 by Connor H., Age 15 --- Wisconsin



"As a swim instructor, we are different than lifeguards in the sense that we don't just save lives once in a while but we save lives every day by showing others how to swim."
Written in 2007 by Molly Mae M., Age 17 --- Illinois
I've been working at the YMCA for a couple of months now and the children I teach or work with on a daily basis give me a sense of joy that is unimaginable to those who have not experienced it. It has saved my life and given me something to work towards in the future. I have confidence in the future of this world.



"Don't trip, chocolate chip!"
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Brittney P., Age 16 --- Arizona
My uncle says this to me all the time when I'm feeling down. There is never a time where it doesn't make me smile.



"If someone's talking about you, don't worry; cause that means you're doing something right."
Written in 2007 by Leah J., Age 14 --- Texas
I made this quote after I went to go see my extended family. Two of my cousins and I were talking and they were talking about how not to worry if anyone talks about you behind your back cause that means that you are the star in their eyes. It has inspired me in many situations.



"You may mess up in life, and fall down hard, but just remember to get back up, cause that's the only way you can keep going."
Written in 2007 by J.C., Age 16 --- California
Lots of people stumble and fall and most just sit on their butts, expecting that somehow, miraculously, they will rise up.( ha ...think again). Others fall and make the effort to get back up again.



"It seems that life is in high definition, your lows are darker and your highs are brighter, thus creating a more fulfilling life. It is important to appreciate the contrast between the two; for without it, we would feel neither love nor misery and our lives would just be a continuous flat-line."
Copyright © 2007 Jake Houser
Every time I'm feeling down, I try to make something out of it. Misery is a powerful emotion, like love is and also like love, we can use it for our benefit. Depression is an artist's greatest tool. We feel it and get excited for what we will produce out of it. From the destructive forces that are thrown into our lives it is important to do something productive with them. And that is what separates the people who succeed from those who don't.



"There's too much to live for, too much to enjoy."
Written in 2007 by Jazmine D., Age 14 --- California
I choose to write this because I was going through a rough and painful time in my life and I was thinking to commit suicide. But when I was thinking about it, I realized that by killing myself I'm leaving all my good times and I'm leaving the stuff I enjoyed the most. So I told myself this, when it popped in my head, and instead I didn't commit suicide.



"Kids. You never need to underestimate them. We can do the impossible."
Becca --- Submitted by Hayley P., Age 15 --- Florida
Just recently a friend of mine got in a car accident. I was telling my cousin, Becca, how stupid he was acting and she said this. I was thinking, "That's so true". People always say, "Oh, they are just kids messing around, it won't hurt anyone" but just like my friend messing around in the car, people do get hurt. Thinking about some of the things that my friend has done is amazing that we lived. It's almost impossible.



"Don't ever think that you cannot achieve. After all, it only took one acorn."
Written in 2007 by Bobby M., Age 17 --- N.S., Canada



"The sign of true achievement is not measured by being perfect, but by the effort one puts forth and what they learned by the mistakes they made."
Written in 2007 by Molly P., Age 15 --- Colorado
Being a perfectionist is stressful and never leaves you feeling happy only self-conscious. Stop being a perfectionist and just settle with doing your best.



"Whatever you practice over and over, develops into your attitude, abilities and qualities of your life."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Johnsunday E., Age 19 --- Lagos, Nigeria



"Everyday is a new beginning; never bring today's sorrows to tomorrow."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Yvonne C., Age 17 --- Singapore
When I was 15, stress overwhelmed me and my most beloved teacher, Miss Daphne, used this quote. It made a big difference and changed me and my perspective about life.



"Definition of my life is taking something and giving it your own meaning."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Phil M., Age 15 --- United Kingdom
I was seeing a lot of negative things going on in my life and I decided to turn them around and make them positive.



"You say I don't understand. I've been there before. But the sun will shine again. So come over here and give me a hug and let's walk the long journey together."
Written in 2006 by Bethany W., Age 13 --- Pennsylvania
I wrote this during a time I was struggling through depression. After I was out of therapy, for a while, my one friend started going off the wall. I told her this and we got through it and we are both still here.



"Having someone bad for you shows you how good you are; it's like they test you as well to see if you can be true to yourself."
Author Unknown --- Submitted by Shaylinn M., Age 16 --- Arizona
I was going through a horrible breakup per say, and I guess I was kind of addicted to this kid. I wasn't sure why and I didn't know what was so good about him. My friends said this to me and made me rethink my self-respect.



"Life is about taking funny risks; you never know when you'll need comedy in your life."
Written in 2007 by Leah J., Age 16 --- Colorado
I made this up after a VERY hard year and surviving a surgery. After that, I decided to show the true colors of my comical, yet silly self. That's what life is truly about, as the laughing Buddha said. So it's best to follow it. Do a funky dance in public or yell the word RADICAL in surf lingo! Totally gnarly!