8 iconic quotes that will inspire positivity in your life

Words have the power to change your life. When you are going through a tough period, taking a moment to read a positive message or a motivational quote can have a lasting effect on your mental wellbeing. Inspirational positivity quotes by famous and influential personalities can turn your day around if you are feeling sad, give you the courage to move forward, and even help shape your perspective.

Positivity quotes can help boost your self-confidence as well as enhance social skills and spark creativity. So, here are some inspiring positivity quotes that can help you see the brighter side of life and remain positive no matter what situation you find yourself in.

“In order to carry a positive action, we must develop here a positive vision.” – The 14^th Dalai Lama

The day-to-day challenges you face in life play a crucial role in shaping you as a person. The mental strength, determination, and self-confidence that you need to overcome these obstacles come from the positive approach you take towards life. To develop that approach, minimise the questions that were raised by doubts and learn to overcome your fears. Your actions become positive when they are anchored by the right vision.

“The less your respond to negative people, the more positive your life will become.” – Paulo Coelho

It doesn’t matter whether it is your personal or professional life, you will come across people who will criticise you and try to make you feel insignificant. It is entirely up to you how you deal with them. You can either choose to let them fill your day with negativity by responding to them or you can move on and focus on the positive things in your life. Cutting out negativity will boost your confidence and provide you with the willpower to face difficult situations with whatever resources you have in hand.

“Folks are usually about as happy as they make up their mind to be.” – Abraham Lincoln

This positivity quote by the 16th president of the United States sheds light on an important fact: most of the time, people associate happiness with what others think of them, their success, or their achievements. But we need to realise that all these bring us only fleeting moments of pleasure, which will pass. And when that happens, you find yourself back within the grasp of sorrow. Hence, it is important to understand that happiness comes mainly from our perspective on life. You can set your measures of success and find happiness in achieving your targets every day.

“The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up.” – Mark Twain

Happiness is found in helping others. When we try to cheer someone else up, we feel connected to them. This also helps in building a positive relationship with that person. We feel happier to see their face lit up with joy. Our self-esteem shoots up because we did a good deed. Moreover, the way we treat others also tends to be the way we treat and think about ourselves. It also has a positive impact on our well-being. According to Psychology Today, “The positive energy that you feel from doing a good deed can act on your body in much the same way that exercise does, releasing endorphins that make you feel good naturally.”

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement; nothing can be done without hope.” – Helen Keller

Optimism can lead to several positive changes in your life. It is also good for both your physical and mental health. Optimists are those who look for the best even in difficult situations. When faced with adversity, a positive thinker believes that good things will happen in the future. If you always look for difficulties, you can easily be overcome by grief, sorrow and negativity. So, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in, keep an open mind and try to make the best out of it.

“We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” – Marie Curie

This positivity quote by Polish-French physicist, Marie Curie highlights the important truth that life is riddled with challenges. And therefore, we must persevere and have the confidence in ourselves to deal with difficulties. This comes from the belief that we have a gift, a special something that we are here to achieve. We must identify what we are good at and must be fully dedicated to accomplishing it. When we lack clarity about this ‘gift’, we are just wandering around without a purpose. But if you have the dedication towards your goal, it helps you make healthy decisions. For example, if you are committed to a healthy lifestyle, it’s unlikely that would you even consider eating something unhealthy. In doing so, you will become the best version of yourself.

“Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, focus your energy on what you can create.” ― Roy T Bennett

Most of us find it hard to accept the fact that there are things in life that we cannot control. Sadly, we pay too much attention to these things, which in turn, ends up hurting us even more. We worry a lot about the things that happened in the past or what others think about us. To achieve happiness in life, we must learn to let go of this baggage as it holds us back from realising our true potential. The more time we spend our time focussing on things we can’t control, the less time we have for the things that we can use to make a difference in our lives. For example, if you are not satisfied with your academic performance in the last semester, try to work on the areas where you fell short and improve in the next one by chalking out a plan that can help you achieve success.

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

According to positive psychology research, “Gratitude is strongly and consistently associated with greater happiness,” states an article by Harvard Health Publishing. By showing gratitude, you are making an effort to appreciate what you have, and no longer taking things in your life for granted. Start by being thankful for the warm cup of tea you enjoy in the morning or take a moment to appreciate your best friend with whom you love chatting every day. Cultivating this habit will boost your happiness and bring positivity to your life.