Not dissimilar from other gyms, mine goes to certain lengths to create itself as a sanctuary for muscles and motivation.
Having forgotten my essential headphones to listen to a round of Ted talks (I highly recommend Monica Lewinsky’s “The Price Of Shame”, by the way) during my usual cycle, I was stuck for entertainment.
Nothing more than ceiling mounted TV’s filled with risqué (sometimes too risqué for 7am weights session) music videos.
Purposely created as a form of osmosis for positive thinking, an arbitrary inspirational quote will pop up on the screen.Once in a while, one will appear and I would give it a sarcastic scoff.
Who needs unsolicited advice? Where’s the credence?
Lately though, I’ve been doing less scoffing and a little more, let’s say, digestion. Maybe it was the boredom of no headphones but the random quotes that day kinda intrigued me…maybe even (shock, horror) inspired me.
But that’s the thing about quotes.
They’re so personal that they’ll only resonate when you’re ready.
Thanks to those who shared with me their gems:
Just like Emily, who doesn’t love the firmly grounded Michael J. Fox?
I guess that’s why quotes are always timely; catching you in that split second of vulnerability and uncertainty; offering sage guidance.
Allowing you to turn to steadfast friends like Daisy.
Highlighting the importance to live for the here and now.
Encouraging you to look no further (Right, Jess?)
Just appearing on your news feed to give you perspective (Thanks for the reminder, Brenda)
Or that much needed kick up the behind (courtesy of Leanda)
And if not you, someone else…
Then, there just might be your own words to live by:
What’s your favourite quote? What words do you live by?
1. Follow With Some Grace.
2. Sign up to the awesome Digital Parents community ( if you haven’t already done so). DP was created by Brenda Gaddi who happens to be the creator of FYBF. She’s also created 4 gorgeous kidlets. In case you’d like to know. Or maybe not. But we’ll share that info just the same.
3. Add your post URL to the FYBF linky. Please only link up one post.
4. Grab the funky FYBF button and post it on your sidebar. Help spread the blogfloggin love.
5. Visit the blogs of your fellow FYBF’ers and share the comment love
Lara @ This Charming Mum says
I feel like this when I see all the positive thinking memes popping up around social media. There are so many that you stop paying attention and scroll past them, as if they were ads for something you don’t need. But every now and then one will just jump out and grab me! I’m sure it must be just the same if you’re watching them drift by while you’re on a treadmill. Thanks so much for sharing these Grace (and everyone). I love the Michael J Fox quote!
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..Where The Wild Mums Are by Katie Blackburn (Review)
Amy @ handbagmafia says
I’m not a huge quote sharer on facebook but there are some great ones out there such as almost anything Maya Angelou said. I love her quote about feminism and being on our own side.
Amy @ handbagmafia recently posted..Belle Gibson: Cancer Free…?
Bec @ The Plumbette says
There are so many quotes these days I feel like they are a bit like advertisements. I just scroll, but occasionally I see one that resonates with me. This morning when I went into Pinterest I saw a quote that said, “Life is tough, but so are you” and it resonated with me today on something I have to face and sort out. Hope you have a fabulous weekend Grace. xx
Bec @ The Plumbette recently posted..Too distracted to notice
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid says
Love this post so much! I’m a sucker for a good inspirational quote and you’ve got some crackers here. I haven’t seen that umbrella one before, it was love at first sight! My favourites are “winter always turns to spring” (Nichiren Daishonin) and “don’t count the days, make the days count.” (Muhammad Ali) Thanks for putting so much yay into my Fri! Happy weekend xx
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Laura Sobiech
Pinky Poinker says
I wrote a tongue in cheek, mocking post about inspirational quotes a while ago. The truth is some of them are brilliant. I especially like the one about life is short so smile while you still have teeth. It’s true x
Pinky Poinker recently posted..Slow Sex
Lydia C. Lee says
I love the parade raining one – I hate parade rainers!!
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make says
“Life is short so smile while you still have teeth” made me smile. Your gym sounds pretty good Grace, we don’t get quotes, just supplement advertisements 🙁
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #48
Desire Empire says
Love all these quotes. The one I have lately been referring to is:
Want to be unhappy?
It’s easy!
1. Harbour the past
2.Fear the future
3.Forget about the present
Carolyn
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages says
I’m a bit like Lara, our feeds get so saturated with them that you start to ignore them. Theycan be a bit cheesy but if I am in the right mood sometimes one might just strike a chord.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted..Friday Favourite The Annoyed Thyroid
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side says
I love that one about ‘If someone rains on your parade, poke their eye with your umbrella’. I tend to scoff at inspirational quotes too, unless they make me laugh:)
Bec @ Seeing the Lighter Side recently posted..Bec’s Bulk Book Review – 14 books to choose from – Book club
Emily says
I’m usually of the ENOUGH WITH THE QUOTES! persuasion. I remember coming across those words from Michael J. Fox in an interview in Reader’s Digest. It wasn’t even highlighted, and he hadn’t made a big deal of it. He’d just said those words, and they resonated with me because I’m someone who DOES overthink things and play out the scenarios in my head before they’ve happened. Thanks for including it, Grace. x
Emily recently posted..Why I’m not a fashion and beauty blogger
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life says
Some quotes really resonate with me. I’m requently amazed when a quote pops up in my feed that totally feels like it’s talking specifically to me! Other times I just scroll through the lot of them!
I love your one about the umbrella!
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life recently posted..April Fabulous Favourite Finds!
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad says
Man, I hate gyms. Those quotes flashing up would bug me too. Some gold ones sent in from readers but. I don’t think I have a favorite quote… that’s going to make me think now….
Vicki @ Knocked Up and Abroad recently posted..Releasing Fear & Accepting Change
Shelley@MoneyMummy says
I love the quotes – though I am not so sure that I am that keen on them at the gym!!!
Shelley@MoneyMummy recently posted..How To Live On One Income
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says
Oh I love these quotes!! That’s so weird because I saw the Monica Lewinsky talk on TED but listened to a different one instead – now I’m going to go back and listen to that one! Thanks for the tip!!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted..Fabulous Foodie Fridays #48
Dannielle@Zamamabakes says
I’m loving the raining on your parade one! I’ll be armed with my invisible umbrella from now on.
My sister is always saying to me regarding my blog ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’ Dannielle.
Have a beautiful weekend Grace.
Dannielle@Zamamabakes recently posted..How To Make A Frozen ‘Elsa’ Birthday Cake
Tonia Zemek says
In my childhood bedroom, I had a poster of a little girl sharing her ice-cream with her dog. It featured the quote “to have a friend is to be one”. Love that one. Great post, Grace. Have a great weekend. x
Tonia Zemek recently posted..Sapper QX51426
Kyla says
I’m not a fan of motivational quotes at all, our social media girls at work are always finding them and sharing them and some days I think my eyes are rolling so hard they’re gonna fall out of my head! Can’t stand them! People seem to love them though, so I figure I’m just cynical and the odd one out.
Kyla recently posted..No, itâs not like morning sickness
Mumma McD says
“All the good things in life make you fat, drunk or pregnant” xx
Mumma McD recently posted..Why Iâm still breastfeeding my toddler
Ai Sakura says
I’ve far too many that I like! I love reading them and getting inspiration.. but overall, I guess my fave mantra is to “Do unto others, what you want them to do to you”.
Ai Sakura recently posted..Japan 2015 | Tokyo One Piece Tower {東京ワンピースタワー} Theme Park
Raych aka Mystery Case says
I’m finding the quotes that have resonated with me over the years no longer apply and I’ve been looking for new ones. Great post, you’ve certainly given me some food for thought.
Raych aka Mystery Case recently posted..The Perfect LBD 52 Ways | Special Occasion
Tash @ Gift Grapevine says
I’m usually more a fan of quotes that can make me laugh like that smile while you still have teeth quote! Every now and then an inspirational one will come along that grabs my attention. Michael J Fox is a clever guy – his other quote of mine which I truly love is “Family is not an important thing, it’s everything.”
Tash @ Gift Grapevine recently posted..Gift ideas for kids crazy about LEGO
LaurEn says
Love the ‘smile while you still have teeth’! Also wish I’d paraded around in a bikini more often BC (before children) 😉
Great quotes there!
EssentiallyJess says
I’m a bit like you Grace and can be all blaise about quotes. But the right one at the right time will always have more meaning. I think that’s why I love the Tommy one though. It’s simple not fluffy, and it’s usually spot on. There are always rainbows not very far away, if we just choose to look for them.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Thank You
Toni @ Finding Myself Young says
Life is short smile while you have teeth…. HAHAHA
Toni @ Finding Myself Young recently posted..How the Bananas in Pyjamas have traumatised my child
natalie @ Our Parallel Connection says
I love quotes and truly believe they hit you hard when you are ready. My quote for today –
When life is turned upside-down, stand on your head.
natalie @ Our Parallel Connection recently posted..What is normal anyway? How do I know my child is so called “normal”?
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says
This is a great bunch of quotes, Grace. And you know how I love a good quote! Mine just pop into my head at the most random times.
Your quote about the friend bank is a beauty xx
Lisa@RandomActsOfZen recently posted..An Interview With Bella
Bronnie - Maid In Australia says
Sometimes quotes piss me off – particularly if I’m at the gym LOL. But usually they do inspire me, particularly if I’m having a hard day. On those rough days, I like the Winston Churchill one, and I’m probably paraphrasing it here: When you’re going through hell, just keep going.
Bronnie – Maid In Australia recently posted..Darwin Military Museum: Lest We Forget
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me says
What a lovely post, I didn’t see the call out I would have given you one for SURE! I can’t exercise without music, it’s just way too boring. YAY it’s Friday x
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..This Anzac post I wrote has been viewed by 500,000 people.
Denyse says
The quotes. Yes, I’ve read them, laughed and scoffed at them as well as considered them. What I have found, however, is unless you are in the right ‘headspace’ mentally NONE of them work nor resonate. That’s my opinion as someone who is learning more and more about mindfulness. IT IS HARD… just having been through a particularly stressed time (see my blog post) I guess I’d have to add an ‘oldie but goodie’
What does not kill us makes us strong. No idea of source.
Denyse x
Denyse recently posted..What Did I See? 114/365.
stephanie@stephsjoy says
that rainbow quote is a goodone. With an engine fan in our household – I think I can works well!
stephanie@stephsjoy recently posted..Chicken & garlic chives wontons
Laney@thelaneyfiles says
I’m a sucker for an inspirational quote. I love all that shit. Anything that gives me a kick up the bum is a good thing in my eyes. I can get lazy and self-critical, so when a quote does connect with me, it helps to reignite the dwindling fire.
Laney@thelaneyfiles recently posted..A bit more about when my babies arrived early
Dani @ sand has no home says
As I commented (a bit late) on your facebook page, I love VitavSackville-West’s ‘I am what I am. I forgive myself everything.’ which ‘i gleaned from her autobiography when I was about 22. She was Virginia Woolf’s lover, among other things.
It has alwaysstayed with me, and though it’s not supposed to serve as a get out gaol free mantra for life, it is a good reminder not to be too hard on oneself.
Dani @ sand has no home recently posted..Book Reviews: Banjo & Ruby, A Lion in Paris
Julie @ Off to the park says
I have always loved the A.A Milne quote “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”. I am guilty for oversharing on the inspirational quotes, but somedays you read one that just resonates with you! 😉
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..Saying goodbye to our boy
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life says
I love quotes and when I was younger, I had several stuck near my desk to motivate me. Love the one you’ve shared on courage. One that I have loved for years but don’t know who it is by is: “Although no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start now and make a brand new ending”
Sanch @ Living my Imperfect Life recently posted..Feminism Friday: Around the house
Bele @ BlahBlah says
With all the neuroplastic brain research showing how our thoughts can impact our brain patterns over the long term, I’m now a lover of the quote. Bring it on! They’re good for us and yes, they can be annoying, but so can a lot of things that are good for us x
Bele @ BlahBlah recently posted..Shepherds pie – cross over meal no.1
Emma says
“Chocolate is to women, as duct tape is to men. It fixes everything”. I love a good quote, preferably something that makes me smile.
Emma recently posted..I hope you know how thankful I am
Sarah @tomfo says
I love an inspiring quote, sometimes funny, sometimes clever, always been a fan, my dad had a quote for everything when we were growing up.
Depends on my mood, but sometimes I love them more than others, maybe that’s when I need the inspiration. I do love making something out of the ones that inspire me too.
Sarah @tomfo recently posted..How to make a modern macrame plant hanger with venetian blind cord