I’m a big fan of making the most of life and one of my favorite quotes is one by Hunter S. Thompson that goes, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” I also love a stanza in a poem by Mary Oliver that says, “When it’s over, I want to say all my life/ I was a bride married to amazement/I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.” But I’ve seen those quotes so many times on Facebook that I wanted to come up something else that would help me remember to make the most of every day. That’s when I found this new one, by Theodore Roosevelt. It’s short and simple statement offers a great visual that reminds me that I’d far rather wear out than rust out. What about you? Do you have any great quotes that remind you that every day is both a gift and an adventure? Please share in the comments.
“Where there’s a will there’s a way” — a saying my Mom was fond of.
“It’s better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission.”
“Yes we can!”
Can you tell I’m a determined sort of person?
Jude
Hey Jude! I love them. Thanks for sharing! ~Kathy
What a great quote by Roosevelt, and one I live by. Thanks for sharing, Kathy. My own quote is very simple (and is part of my blog description in the right column): “Don’t dream but do!” Maybe one day, I’ll come up with a better, more descriptive one. But, for now, I’m too busy making the most of this precious life. 🙂
Hi Liebet! I agree that you aren’t rusting by any means! I admire your commitment to life and adventure. That’s one reason why it’s so great to follow you on your blog. I can’t wait to see what you experience next. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
Well, no danger of rusting at this house! In fact, Dan frequently begs me to slow down…I want to see it all & do it all and see no reason why I can’t! (except maybe time and money, lol)
I’ve always love that Hunter S. Thompson quote and quite take it to heart. And, since I can now, quite literally, see the end of the road (not any time soon, but we are now past 60 which USED to seem ancient – now not so much) there is no time to waste. JUST DO IT!
Hi Nancy! You definitely always seem to have lots going on so I’m sure that “rusting” isn’t part of your future. I agree that if there is anything that we’ve “always wanted to do” then once you hit 60 there is no time to waste. And I know that I love following along on your blog too! ~Kathy
Glad you shared both Thompson’s and Roosevelt’s quotes. I hadn’t read either. The first created a visual for me and I want to skid into the last days of my life, fully exhausted from my wild ride. Hope that will be the case!
Hi Leslie! Yay! I love introducing people to great quotes that remind us of positive ways to live. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
I have Thompson’s quote on my wall. I will be attending Roosevelt’s! Love it too!
Thank you
Jamie
Hi Jamie! You’re welcome. It’s always good to remind each other, right? ~Kathy
I just ran across a nice one, reading up for a class I’m taking: “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.” It’s Shakespeare, from The Merchant of Venice.
I get why people love the Hunter S Thompson quotation, and I am certainly not a type to stay at home. But I can’t help but associate the advice with his adrenaline- and drug-fueled way of propelling himself through life. There are quiet ways of living one’s life fully, too, which involve slowing down enough to notice moments of beauty and love….
Hi Nancy! Yes…like I mentioned to Mona I do agree that there is a fine line between “pushing the river” and floating down the current. Of course, I suppose we are all different in how we define that but I agree with you. If we are rushing or too busy, we will miss the sweetness and joy that we all hope to see. Thanks for that thought AND that quote…it made me smile! ~Kathy
AMEN! I am a lucky girl. I, along with my youngest sister, took care of Mom through her 7w dying process. One of the many “pearls” I got was “Never be angry about what you can’t do. Be grateful for what you CAN do”. Could there be any wiser words to live by? I was just 46yo then. How Blessed am I?
I am recently retired and I remember this every day. Live in the moment!
Hi Elle! Definitely a lucky girl with a wise moma like you had. Remembering that every day is a true gift. Thanks for sharing it. ~Kathy
I’m enjoying the patina of age as I get older but I don’t want to rust out either. I don’t know the source but this quote rings in my ears – Do life so life doesn’t do me.
Hi Mona! I will agree that it’s a fine line between the two. Definitely a razor’s edge. Like I wrote about a week ago, being busy often looks like we are making the most of life but I think at some point we know it is the quality, not the quantity of what we are doing. And yes, far better to “do” life than have it being done to us! ~Kathy
I love this reminder to live with purpose and intention. Your comment to Jennifer about self awareness leads me to my favorite quote – “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.” Maya Angelou Absent self awareness we will likely just rust on the shelf.
Hi Suzanne. Isn’t that the truth? While I think we are all familiar with the “ignorance is bliss” comment, I would NEVER trade awareness for that kind of bliss. Wasn’t it Zig Ziglar who said something like, “the only people who don’t have problems are in the graveyard.” Again, that’s a tradeoff that I am NOT willing to make. Thanks for Maya’s quote too…I love that! ~Kathy
Thanks for sharing that Teddy Roosevelt quote, Kathy. I’ve never seen it before, and I love it! Another of his quotes that is a longtime favorite of mine: “Life is a great adventure . . . Accept it in such a spirit.”
Hi Mary! That’s another great quote and really speaks to the “adventurer” in me! Thank you. ~Kathy
I love the thought-provoking quotes that you have shared in this post, Kathy. Your closing question reminded me of one of the first ‘quotes’ that I remember learning as a young girl. “Every day is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present”. 😀
Hi Donna! Thanks. I am a big lover of quotes and I so appreciate you sharing one of your favorites. ~Kathy
I love all of the quotes you shared. The one by Hunter S. Thompson has long been a favorite of mine. I also loved this quote that my mother had pinned to her bulletin board at home: “Living on earth may be expensive, but it includes an annual free trip around the sun.”
Hi Janis! Oh your mom’s quote is a good one too. So much wisdom out there if we take the time to pay attention huh? Thanks! ~Kathy
Love that Thompson quote. Just wrote it in my planner for the day to help me remember. Thanks!
Hi Janet! YES that quote is speaks to so many of us. It addresses what I wrote about a few posts back when writing about James Hollis. He said every morning we all must face the gremlins of fear or lethargy. That quote says it all! ~Kathy
Sorry to carp but shouldn’t it be Theodore Roosevelt, not Theodoe. Although I agree the general sentiment!
Hi Gordon! As you can see, I’ve made the correction to poor Teddy’s name. Thank you for that! And please, PLEASE feel free to let me know if you ever catch any other typos. There is nothing worse than going back in 6 months and rereading something I wrote with a glaring error. Thanks again. ~Kathy
The Roosevelt quote is one of my favourites.
Also “You are never too old and it is never too late.”
Don’t know who came up with that one.
Deb
Hi Deb! YES! We are NEVER too old and it’s NEVER too late. That one is a keeper for sure!
I think more about how I want to treat myself these days ( I am 55) and where I am “going for it” and where I need to draw back and perform self care. There is a fine line for me where I am performing self care but it is not rusting out. Would be great to hear more of your thoughts on this. For example, when I staying up late having a good time with friends/boyfriend living/learning/loving and when is it just depleting my energy stores leading to worsening health (I don’t do well with lack of sleep.)
As for my quote I used to see on a billboard coming home from work: “Uncertainty is a given, fear is optional.”
Hi Jennifer! I so agree that there is a very fine line between self care and “going for it.” I do think it gets easier as we age. I think I’m better at 65 than 60, and definitely better than at 55 as well–so there’s that. But other than that I am convinced that the great my self awareness is, the more I listen to my “inner self” rather than my preprogramed actions and beliefs, the better off I am. I also don’t do well without good sleep!!! Hmmm…as far as any other ideas I’ll have to think about it. Maybe an upcoming blog post or vlog?
And I love your quote too! ~Kathy
The world is so full of a number of things, I’m sure we should all be as happy as kings. Robert Louis Stevenson
Hi Ezme! I haven’t heard that quote before but I love it! Thanks for sharing. ~Kathy