Collecting quotations has always been one of my favorite hobbies. Back in the pre-computer days, I used to jot them down on little slips of paper and toss them into a desk drawer. Once a month, I would type them up and file them in a special folder. These days, I use Pinterest and Goodreads to save my favorite quotations, but the feeling is the same: there’s something satisfying about capturing words that say exactly what I’ve been thinking or feeling.
The first proclamation for the Day of Encouragement was made by Mayor Belinda LaForce of Searcy, Arkansas on August 22, 2007. In September, Governor Mike Beebe of Arkansas signed a proclamation making September 12, 2007 the “State Day of Encouragement” for Arkansas. Later, President George W. Bush also signed a message making September 12 the official “National Day of Encouragement.”
Here are ten of my favorite quotes about encouragement…
“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell
“When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hang on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” Harriet Beecher Stowe
“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Thomas A. Edison
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C.S. Lewis
“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” William James
Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment. Stephen Covey
“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” Theodore Roosevelt
“If you dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse.” Walt Disney
“Everything will be okay in the end.
If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.”
Ed Sheeran
Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in 1936 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Pope Francis became the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church on March 13, 2013—marking several historic firsts: the first pope from the Americas, the Southern Hemisphere, and the Jesuit order. He was known globally for his humility, concern for the poor, and progressive views on social and environmental issues.
He advocated for migrants and the marginalized, often symbolizing this commitment through powerful gestures—such as washing refugees’ feet on Holy Thursday and urging global solidarity to address inequality. He reached out to the world’s margins, becoming the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula and traveling to conflict zones like South Sudan, Myanmar, and the Central African Republic to promote peace and reconciliation.
In all he has done, Pope Francis has shown that leadership is as much about presence as policy. Cardinal Dolan of New York observed: “The way he lived and the way he died, he was a great teacher. He taught us at the end by letting us watch him die.”
Earlier today, Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88.
My Favorite Quotations from Pope Francis:
“A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold.”
“The Eucharist is not a prize for the perfect.”
“God never tires of forgiving us.”
“Money must serve, not rule.”
“Love is the measure of faith.”
“Each of us has a vision of good and of evil.”
“Let us care for creation.”
“Reality is greater than ideas.”
“A Church that doesn’t go out, keeps Jesus in.”
“To change the world, we must be good to those who cannot repay us.”
On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.
Sometimes, the hardest part of writing is simply getting started. Here are ten quotations to help you get over that motivational hump:
“If I waited for perfection, I would never write a word.” ~Margaret Atwood
“Get it down. Take chances. It may be bad, but it’s the only way you can do anything really good.” ~William Faulkner
“I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” ~Anne Frank
“Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.” ~Barbara Kingsolver
“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.” ~Louis L’Amour
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~Jack London
“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ~Toni Morrison
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers, you cannot be successful or happy.” ~Norman Vincent Peale
“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.” ~Jodi Picoult
“Start before you’re ready.” ~Steven Pressfield
Earlier today, President Carter passed away at the age of 100. He served as the 39th President of the United States from 1977 to 1981 and is widely regarded for his unwavering commitment to human rights, environmental issues, and international diplomacy. His key achievements include brokering the Camp David Accords, establishing the Department of Education and Department of Energy, and signing the Panama Canal Treaties.
His post-presidency is not just celebrated in the United States, but across the globe. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center. The Center’s work has included overseeing more than 100 elections in 40 countries, mediating conflicts, and leading the fight against diseases such as guinea worm disease. His hands-on approach to humanitarian work, including building houses with Habitat for Humanity well into his nineties, has inspired people worldwide.
He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, a testament to his global impact and recognition. His efforts in promoting peace and human rights were acknowledged on the world stage. A prolific author, he released more than 25 books touching on his beliefs in God, country, and kindness.
My favorite quotations from President Carter…
America did not invent human rights. In a very real sense . . . human rights invented America.
My faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I can, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.
Failure is a reality; we all fail at times, and it’s painful when we do. But it’s better to fail while striving for something wonderful, challenging, adventurous, and uncertain than to say, “I don’t want to try because I may not succeed completely.”
Like music and art, love of nature is a common language that can transcend political or social boundaries.
When people are intimidated about having their own opinions, oppression is at hand.
We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles.
What are the things that you can’t see that are important? I would say justice, truth, humility, service, compassion, love. They’re the guiding lights of a life.
You only have to have two loves in your life…for God and for the person in front of you at any particular time.
We should live our lives as though Christ was coming this afternoon.
God always answers prayers. Sometimes it’s “yes.” Sometimes the answer is “no.” Sometimes it’s “you gotta be kidding.”
On Wednesdays, I share posts, fables, songs, poems, quotations, TEDx Talks, cartoons, and books that have inspired and motivated me on my writing journey. I hope these posts will give writers, artists, and other creatives a mid-week boost.
Here’s one of my favorite quotations from Emily Dickinson:
Earlier today, a state funeral was held at Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal for Brian Mulroney, the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from 1984 to 1993. A bold and transformative leader, Mr. Mulroney accomplished so much for Canada and the world.
During his tenure, he implemented a series of significant economic reforms, including the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the negotiation of the Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (FTA). He also played a key role in establishing the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.
Never afraid to take on a fight. Mr. Mulroney supported the liberation movement in South Africa. He called for the release of Nelson Mandela and imposed sanctions upon the apartheid regime. He then persuaded Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher to follow his lead. Grateful, Nelson Mandela made his first foreign visit to Canada’s parliament after his release from prison.
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney died on February 29, 2024 at the age of 84.
Here are my favourite quotations from Brian Mulroney:
Leaders must have vision and they must find the courage to fight for the policies that will give that vision life. Leaders must govern not for easy headlines in 10 days but for a better Canada in 10 years.
I can recall the splendor of the view from the highest mountaintop and the sorrow one feels in the valley of defeat. Life is an unending sequence of challenges from which no one emerges unscathed. Defeat is not something to fear but surrender is something to reject.
As difficult as the process may be to arrest and to mitigate the effects of global warming, the work cannot be left to the next fellow. The stakes are too high, the risks to our planet and the human species too grave.
Trade is Canada’s life blood. Our objective is to strengthen Canada’s stature as a first-class world trader.
Canadians have an obligation to help make the world a better and safer place. Not least, we owe it to ourselves to honor excellence and pursue it relentlessly. Canada must stand for the best in all fields of human endeavour. And we must be uncompromising in the pursuit of values that are the moral foundation of all great nations. That is my dream for my country: a Canada fair and generous, tolerant and just.
You accumulate political capital to spend it on noble causes for Canada. If you’re afraid to spend your capital, you shouldn’t be there.
You can’t be chasing 15 rabbits. Otherwise, the public mind cannot follow you.
Once you articulate an agenda, you have to follow it.
If everything is important, then nothing is important.
I am not denying anything I did not say.
On a lighter note…
Blessed with a beautiful baritone voice, our former prime minister loved to sing and considered himself a “frustrated saloon singer.” A recording of Brian Mulroney singing ‘We’ll Meet Again’ was played at his funeral, fulfilling a final wish of the former prime minister. Here’s the link:
Joanne Guidoccio 