The best things I’ve heard, part 1

Every now and then, you hear something that sticks with you. It can spark a thought, shift your view, or inspire action.

I’ve been collecting several of these sayings for a while now, and I wanted to share some of the best ones I’ve come across.

On hardship and struggle:

Sometimes when you are in a dark place you may feel you have been buried, but actually you have been planted.
—Christine Caine

Dark times are an inevitable part of life, but they do not have to mean the end. They can instead signal the beginning of something new, if we remain open to growth during our struggles instead of giving up.

On finding your path:

If you get on the wrong train, get off at the nearest station, the longer it takes you to get off, the more expensive the return trip will be.
—Japanese Proverb

We’ve all heard that life is a journey, but sometimes we’re so eager to get moving, we forget to check the destination. We jump on board without thinking, only to realize later that the path we chose isn’t right for us. That’s when we have to be brave enough to get off. It might feel embarrassing. It might come with judgment. But as the proverb reminds us, staying on the wrong train only leads to more costly detours—emotionally, spiritually, and even financially.

On Fear:

Fear has killed more dreams than failure ever will.
—Suzy Kassem

Facing fear takes courage—taking action even when you’re scared. Each time you move forward in spite of fear, your courage grows, and fear starts to lose its grip.

I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings obliteration.
I will face my fear and I will permit it to pass over me.
Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing.
Only I will remain.
—Frank Herbert, Dune