Are you looking for a little pick-me-up? You can find a wealth of inspiration from some of our nation’s presidents. Whether you’re feeling down or just a little sluggish, an inspiring quote at just the right time can make all the difference in your mood and overall outlook. “Along the pathways of the years, I have learned much from short quotations. For example, I learned to have patience, and my first teacher in this regard was Ben Franklin, who had my lifelong admiration. He said, ‘He that can have patience can have what he will,’” said late author and minister Norman Vincent Peale.
As the 2016 presidential race moves forward, take a few moments to jumpstart your day with empowering words from some of our most inspiring commanders-in-chief.
Let go of your past
Happy man | Source: iStock
We ought not to look back unless it is to derive useful lessons from past errors, and for the purpose of profiting by dearly bought experience.
George Washington
You are in charge of your life — take action
Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.
Thomas Jefferson
You are a leader
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
John Quincy Adams
Aim for excellence
Whatever you are, be a good one.
Abraham Lincoln
True friends are revealed during adversity
Friends talking | Source: iStock
The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.
Ulysses S. Grant
Make your own luck — go after what you want
A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck.
James Garfield
Keep pushing ahead even when things look bad
In the time of darkest defeat, victory may be nearest.
William McKinley
Live a full life
Man feeling thankful | Source: Thinkstock
The worst of all fears is the fear of living.
Theodore Roosevelt
Your life has an impact on the world
You are not here merely to make a living. You are here in order to enable the world to live more amply, with greater vision, with a finer spirit of hope and achievement. You are here to enrich the world, and you impoverish yourself if you forget the errand.
Woodrow Wilson
Your failures don’t define you
If I had permitted my failures, or what seemed to me at the time a lack of success, to discourage me I cannot see any way in which I would ever have made progress.
Calvin Coolidge
You can weather the toughest storms if you keep holding on
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
See opportunity in every situation
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
Harry S. Truman
Find your strength
Man running | Source: iStock
Only strength can cooperate. Weakness can only beg.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Welcome change
Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.
John F. Kennedy
Believe in your abilities
You can do what you have to do, and sometimes you can do it even better than you think you can.
Jimmy Carter
Lend a hand
We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.
Ronald Reagan
Don’t lose hope
Hopeful man | Source: iStock
I still believe in a place called Hope.
Bill Clinton
Press on
The future rewards those who press on. I don’t have time to feel sorry for myself. I don’t have time to complain. I’m going to press on.
Barack Obama
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