1. “Shallow men believe in luck.  Strong men believe in cause and effect.” (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

I like this one because I like to think that the efforts we put into life are what we get out.  This makes me remember that if I want my life to get better, I need to be doing something instead of complaining about how unlucky I am.

2. “The optimist sees opportunity in every danger; the pessimist sees danger in every opportunity.” (Winston Churchill)

It seems like when there are two people in a very similar situation, they can have two very different attitudes about it.  If you’re in the same situation, why not be optimistic about it?  Being pessimistic makes life even harder.

3.  ”It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them.” (Mark Twain)

I’ve learned that in life sometimes you don’t get the recognition that you deserve.  That used to upset me until I met this quote.  But I figured if I know I did something worthy of being recognized, then that confidence is enough for me.  It’s okay not to be recognized by others.

4.  ”Do not anticipate trouble or worry that may never happen.  Keep in the sunlight.”  (Benjamin Franklin)

Oh how many times have i worried about things that never happened. Total waste of time and energy.  Let’s focus on the positive side.

5.  ”Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work.”  (Aristotle)

You gotta love what you do!