I think by now most of you could tell that I am a big fan of quotes.  No, it’s not because I lack the skills to say anything noteworthy (kind of rude to mention!)  😀 but because I find value in the perspectives of people from all walks of life.  As a photographer, my job is chief inspiration and creative officer and that can be a heavy pair of shoes to wear!  I constantly play with a very delicate set of scales to balance my avenues of inspiration.  Absolutely, getting out there and finding other artists who visually stimulate me to create is very important but sometimes as an artist, it’s important for me to find non visual inspiration.  My most favorite non visual creative stimulation is quotations.

But just because I’m an artist, doesn’t mean that I am the only one who can benefit from inspiration!  So many of my favorite quotes have absolutely nothing to do with photography but most do deal with inspiring greatness and a “conquer the world” kind of attitude.  Why?  Because no matter who you are, how successful you are, how fulfilled you are in your job/life, or if you are an all around jovial person 99% of the time, there is a time when we as human beings feel defeated.  It happens.  What I have found is the difference from the people I so shamelessly steal my pick-me-ups from and the rest of us is how they handle defeat.  Do they sulk, cry out “WHY ME?!”, draw the shades, and curl into a ball until someone digs them out?  Nope, they take those lemons and make some lemonade darn it!  Sometimes I need a reminder that I’m not the only one that has been defeated….  wait, say that again?  I’m not the only one!?  No I’m not the only one, and it helps to be reminded that I have room to grow as a person, wife, mother, and photographer.  Plus I’ve always had the attitude, if somebody else can do it, so can I.  So enjoy some of my favorite “inspiration to greatness” quotes- it’s on the house.  😉

“You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.” Galileo Galilei

“I have found that being honest is the best technique I can use. Right up front, tell people what you’re trying to accomplish, and what you’re willing to sacrifice to accomplish it.”  Lee Iococca

“Doing something and getting it wrong is at least 10 times more productive than doing nothing at all”

“Fear comes in two packages: fear of failure, and sometimes, fear of success.”  Tom Kite

“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” — Dale Carnegie