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210 Attitude Quotes That Will Empower You In Your Life

Life is filled with inevitable ups and downs and it’s our attitude that determines how we ride the wave.Are you more of a glass half empty or half full type?Our attitudes, whether negative, positive or somewhere in between, affect every aspect of our lives from how we view the world to how we show up at work, in our relationships and most importantly, for ourselves.It’s no secret that maintaining a positive outlook not only makes us happier and healthier but it’s also the key to turning our dreams into reality.Similarly, welcoming more gratitude into our lives tends to shift our perspective and if practiced regularly, expressing thankfulness can help us cope through difficult times and ultimately transform our lives.The truth is, developing and maintaining a positive mindset takes work, especially when we have the natural tendency of reverting to negativity, but the good news is that we can train our brain to be more optimistic. freedom quoteIf you need a reminder of what you’re capable of, check out this list of 210 attitude quotes to find some inspiration:Take charge of your attitude. Don't let someone else choose it for you. DALE CARNEGIEIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. AMY TANMy attitude is that if you push me towards something that you think is a weakness, then I will turn that perceived weakness into a strength. MICHAEL JORDAN (How his mindset made him the greatest)When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. HENRY FORDYour attitude about who you are and what you have is a very little thing that makes a very big difference. THEODORE ROOSEVELTA healthy attitude is contagious but don't wait to catch it from others. Be a carrier. TOM STOPPARDIt's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. HENRY DAVID THOREAU(More Thoreau quotes)Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity. WILLIAM JAMESSuccess is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. WINSTON CHURCHILLPain is inevitable. Suffering is optional. HARUKI MURAKAMISales are contingent upon the attitude of the salesman - not the attitude of the prospect. W. CLEMENT STONEI have this theory that, depending on your attitude, your life doesn't have to become this ridiculous charade that it seems so many people end up living. CHRISTIAN BALEOur life is what our thoughts make it. MARCUS AURELIUSAbility is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. LOU HOLTZTake the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new. OG MANDINOWe cannot choose the things that will happen to us. But we can choose the attitude we will take toward anything that happens. Success or failure depends on your attitude. ALFRED ARMAND MONTAPERT Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. THOMAS A. EDISONI think it's my adventure, my trip, my journey, and I guess my attitude is, let the chips fall where they may. Leonard NimoyAttitudes are more important than facts. GEORGE MACDONALDOne should always play fairly when one has the winning cards. OSCAR WILDELife is hard. Life is difficult. Life is going to punch you in the gut. But when you change your attitude, you change your behavior. When your behavior changes, so do your results. WILL HURDWhen you can’t change the direction of the wind — adjust your sails. H. JACKSON BROWN, JR.A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTOur environment, the world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations. EARL NIGHTINGALEIt is important to expect nothing, to take every experience, including the negative ones, as merely steps on the path, and to proceed. RAM DASSLife is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it. ERNEST HOLMESYour attitude is either the lock on or the key to the door of success. DENIS WAITLEYAttitude is everything. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGYour mental attitude is something you can control outright and you must use self-discipline until you create a Positive Mental Attitude - your mental attitude attracts to you everything that makes you what you are. NAPOLEON HILLOften we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. HELLEN KELLEROur attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us. JOHN N. MITCHELLAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. The way you think about a fact may defeat you before you ever do anything about it. You are overcome by the fact because you think you are. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBut the attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be. ALAN WATTSHappiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude. DALE CARNEGIEWhen you are thwarted, it is your own attitude that is out of order. MEISTER ECKHARTSeek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it. JAMES TRUSLOW ADAMSIf you can't change your fate, change your attitude. CHARLES REVSONAttitude is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than what people do or say. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. W.C. FIELDSThe winner's edge is not in a gifted birth, a high IQ, or in talent. The winner's edge is all in the attitude, not aptitude. Attitude is the criterion for success. DENIS WAITLEYIf you want small changes in your life, work on your attitude. But if you want big and primary changes, work on your paradigm. STEPHEN COVEYSuccess or failure in business is caused more by the mental attitude even than by mental capacities. WALTER SCOTTAttitude is your acceptance of the natural laws, or your rejection of the natural laws. STUART CHASEYou are the conductor of your own attitude! Nobody else can compose your thoughts for you. LEE J. COLANPositive attitude quotesHow would you rate your attitude? Keeping a positive attitude takes effort but making the conscious decision to look at the brighter side of life can have a profound impact on your well-being. We often forget that this simple shift in perspective is within our reach, but when harnessed properly, an optimistic outlook can help us move forward in the face of adversity and feel more fulfilled.Here are a few positive attitude quotes to help you get started.If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden. FRANCES HODGSON BURNETTAll of our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them. CHRISTIANO RONALDOLife is like riding a bicycle, you must keep moving. ROCKYTry not to become a man of success, but rather become a man of value.ALBERT EINSTEINSuccess consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.WINSTON CHURCHILLOur greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.CONFUCIUSIf you can dream it, you can do it.WALT DISNEYWith the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.ELEANOR ROOSEVELTLearn as if you will live forever, live like you will die tomorrow.GHANDIStay away from those people who try to disparage your ambitions.MARK TWAINJust one small positive thought in the morning can change your whole day.DALAI LAMAI am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions.STEPHEN R. COVEYDo what you can, with what you have, where you are.THEODORE ROOSEVELTDo the best you can. No one can do more than that.JOHN WOODENAdopting the right attitude can convert a negative stress into a positive one. HANS SELYEWe are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. OSCAR WILDETo be upset over what you don't have is to waste what you do have. KEN KEYES JR.The only disability in life is a bad attitude. Dale CarnegieChoose to be optimistic, it feels better. DALAI LAMAHe who has so little knowledge of human nature as to seek happiness by changing anything but his own disposition will waste his life in fruitless efforts. Samuel JohnsonA positive atmosphere nurtures a positive attitude, which is required to take positive action. RICHARD M. DEVOSI've always believed that you can think positive just as well as you can think negative. JAMES A. BALDWINA positive attitude is something everyone can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it. JOAN LUNDENConvince yourself everyday that you are worthy of a good life. Let go of stress, breathe. Stay positive, all is well. GERMANY KENTThere is little difference in people, but that little difference makes a big difference. The little difference is attitude. The big difference is whether it is positive or negative. W. Clement StoneReject your sense of injury and the injury itself disappears. MARCUS AURELIUSPerpetual optimism is a force multiplier. COLIN POWELLPeople deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong. Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom? THICH NHAT HANHBelieve you can and you're halfway there. THEODORE ROOSEVELTI always like to look on the optimistic side of life, but I am realistic enough to know that life is a complex matter. WALT DISNEYA positive attitude can really make dreams come true – it did for me. DAVID BAILEYA strong positive attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug. PATRICIA NEALAlways keep that happy attitude. Pretend that you are holding a beautiful fragrant bouquet. EARL NIGHTINGALEEvery day may not be good, but there's something good in every day. UNKNOWNOnce you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results. WILLIE NELSONIf I insist on being pessimistic, there is always tomorrow. Today I am blessed. MAYA ANGELOUKeep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behavior. Keep your behavior positive because your behavior becomes your habits. MAHATMA GANDHIYour level of gratitude determines your level of happiness, as well as your potential for success. It's difficult to be happy without gratitude. BOB BURGIn order to carry a positive action we must develop here a positive vision. DALAI LAMAI have found that if you love life, life will love you back. ARTHUR RUBINSTEIN Between the optimist and the pessimist, the difference is droll. The optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist the hole!OSCAR WILDEThings turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. JOHN WOODENYou can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTIt is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome. WILLIAM JAMESA happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but rather a person with a certain set of attitudes. HUGH DOWNSEvery day brings new choices. MARTHA BECKA positive attitude causes a chain reaction of positive thoughts, events and outcomes. It is a catalyst and it sparks extraordinary results. WADE BOGGSIt isn’t what you have or who you are or where you are or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about it. DALE CARNEGIEThe meaning of things lies not in the things themselves, but in our attitude towards them. ANTOINE DE SAINT-EXUPÉRYAny fact facing us is not as important as our attitude toward it, for that determines our success or failure. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEAttitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. WINSTON CHURCHILLYou always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude.You always have a choice, even if it is only a choice of your attitude. HENRY FORDKeep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. HELEN KELLERChoose the positive. You have choice, you are master of your attitude, choose the positive, the constructive. Optimism is a faith that leads to success. BRUCE LEEAlways bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing. ABRAHAM LINCOLNBe happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more. MOTHER TERESABetween stimulus and response, there is a space where we choose our response. STEPHEN COVEYAttitude is everything, so pick a good one. WAYNE DYERHow do you nurture a positive attitude when all the statistics say you're a dead man? You go to work. PATRICK SWAYZEOur attitudes control our lives. Attitudes are a secret power working twenty-four hours a day, for good or bad. It is of paramount importance that we know how to harness and control this great force. IRVING BERLINA positive attitude is not going to save you. What it's going to do is, everyday, between now and the day you die, whether that's a short time from now or a long time from now, that every day, you're going to actually live. ELIZABETH EDWARDSYour attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude. Zig ZiglarAll your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them. WALT DISNEYIf you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. COLIN POWELLHappiness is an attitude of mind, born of the simple determination to be happy under all outward circumstances. JAMES DONALD WALTERSLearning to control and adjust your attitude to a positive one reflects wisdom of the mind. CATHERINE PULSIFERYour attitude is more important than your capabilities. Similarly, your decision is more important than your capabilities. JACK MAFor success, attitude is equally as important as ability. WALTER SCOTTA pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. HARRY S. TRUMANYour attitude towards life influences your happiness, not what happens to you. THIBAUT MEURISSEI hope the millions of people I've touched have the optimism and desire to share their goals and hard work and persevere with a positive attitude. MICHAEL JORDANReally you just gotta keep chugging along and keep a positive attitude and get through all the problems. You gotta face them, otherwise you don't get through. LESLEY GOREThe most important decision you make is to be in a good mood. VOLTAIREEverything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way. VIKTOR FRANKLThe greatest discovery of all time is that a person can change his future by merely changing his attitude. OPRAH WINFREYSuccess or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality. Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly, and you will be amazed at the positive results.William JamesPositive anything is better than negative nothing. ELBERT HUBBARDThe greatest revolution of our generation is the discovery that human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. WILLIAM JAMESThere are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle. ALBERT EINSTEIN A great attitude does much more than turn on the lights in our worlds; it seems to magically connect us to all sorts of serendipitous opportunities that were somehow absent before the change. EARL NIGHTINGALEA bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t change it, you’ll never go anywhere.UNKNOWNYour living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens. KHALIL GIBRANLike success, failure is many things to many people. With Positive Mental Attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order and prepare to try again. W. Clement StoneStrong women attitude quotesPowerful women throughout history paved the way forward for younger generations by consistently showing us that when a woman steps into her inner power, nothing can stand in her way.By now we all know strong women are an unstoppable force but what defines a strong woman, anyway? Well, it all comes down to her attitude. If you’re looking for some inspiration to take charge of your mindset and become the best version of yourself, check out our list of quotes by some of the most resilient female legends of all time.Women, like men, should try to do the impossible. And when they fail, their failure should be a challenge to others.AMELIA EARHARTSome people say I have attitude – maybe I do… but I think you have to. You have to believe in yourself when no one else does – that makes you a winner right there. VENUS WILLIAMSNo one can make you feel inferior without your consent. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTI am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept. ANGELA DAVISA really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars. CARLY SIMONCourage is like a muscle. We strengthen it by use. RUTH GORDONRun to the fire; don’t hide from it. Meg WhitmanPower is not given to you. You have to take it. Beyoncé KnowlesThe best protection any woman can have... is courage. ELIZABETH CADY STANTONAlways aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. And, when you stumble, keep faith. And, when you're knocked down, get right back up and never listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on. HILLARY CLINTONGrowth and comfort do not coexist. GINNI ROMETTYThe most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud. COCO CHANELOnly the gentle are ever really strong. JAMES DEANPermanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements, and impossibilities: It is this, that in all things distinguishes the strong soul from the weak. THOMAS CARLYLEIt took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent. MADELEINE ALBRIGHTLife shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage. ANAIS NINIt is our choices... that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. J. K. ROWLINGA strong woman is a woman determined to do something others are determined not be done. MARGE PIERCY If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. MAYA ANGELOUThe most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. ALICE WALKERI’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning to sail my ship. LOUISA MAY ALCOTTBe a first rate version of yourself, not a second rate version of someone else. JUDY GARLANDI've never met a woman who is not strong, but sometimes they don't let it out. Then there's a tragedy, and then all of a sudden that strength comes. My message is let the strength come out before the tragedy. DIANE VON FURSTENBERGWomen are like teabags. We don’t know our true strength until we are in hot water. ELEANOR ROOSEVELTThe way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. DOLLY PARTONI can never be safe; I always try and go against the grain. As soon as I accomplish one thing, I just set a higher goal. That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am. BEYONCÉOptimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. HELEN KELLERA lot of people are afraid to say what they want. That’s why they don’t get what they want.MADONNAA woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult. MELINDA GATESIn our society, the women who break down barriers are those who ignore limits. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERWe cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave – to embrace the strength within themselves and realize their full potential. MALALA YOUSAFZAIThe thing women have yet to learn is nobody gives you power. You just take it. ROSEANNE BARRShe was powerful not because she wasn’t scared but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.ATTICUSWe need to reshape our own perception of how we view ourselves. We have to step up as women and take the lead.BEYONCEI do not wish women to have power over men; but over themselves. MARY SHELLEYStop wearing your wishbone where your backbone ought to be. ELIZABETH GILBERTI feel there is something unexplored about woman that only a woman can explore. GEORGIA O’KEEFEEThink like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness. OPRAH WINFREYStrength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGERAttitude of gratitude quotesWhen was the last time you took time to reflect on what you’re grateful for in life? It may feel forced at first but developing an attitude of gratitude is a crucial ingredient for a happier life.It’s easy to overlook life’s simple pleasures, but learning to appreciate the little things really helps us bounce back when things don’t go our way. Let these attitude of gratitude quotes remind you to make it a priority.Wealth can also be that attitude of gratitude with which we remind ourselves everyday to count our blessings. CHRIS GARDNERDo not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.EPICURUSGratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. MELODY BEATTIEAlways have an attitude of gratitude. STERLING K. BROWNI don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains. ANNE FRANKThe attitude of gratitude revitalizes the entire mental process by activating all other attitudes, thus stimulating creativity. NORMAN VINCENT PEALEBe present in all things and thankful for all things. MAYA ANGELOUI am grateful for all those people who said no. It is because of them that I did it myself. Practice an attitude of gratitude. You can either be miserable dwelling on the troubles you have or grateful for the ones you don't have. Your troubles don't care but it makes a huge difference in your life. MICHAEL JOSEPHSONLet us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. BUDDHAWhen you start noticing even a small portion of all there is to be grateful for, you'll find there is no room for lack, hurt, or want. The attitude of gratitude: the great, full feeling. PETER MCWILLIAMSLet us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. MARCEL PROUSTIt's your outlook on life that counts. If you take yourself lightly and don't take yourself too seriously, pretty soon you can find the humor in our everyday lives. And sometimes it can be a lifesaver. BETTY WHITEIf you want to find happiness, find gratitude. STEVE MARABOLIThe hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ERIC HOFFERWear gratitude like a cloak, and it will feed every corner of your life.RUMIA lot of times people look at the negative side of what they feel they can't do. I always look on the positive side of what I can do. CHUCK NORRISGratitude unlocks the fullness of life. MELODY BEATTIEGratitude opens the door to the power, the wisdom, the creativity of the universe. You open the door through gratitude. DEEPAK CHOPRAEvery blessing ignored becomes a curse. PAULO COELHOA grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.PLATOWhen you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears. TONY ROBBINSBe thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough. OPRAH WINFREYThe greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.SENECAWe can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. THORNTON WILDERAs we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. JOHN F. KENNEDYSo much has been given to me; I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied. HELEN KELLERA thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all the other virtues.CICERONow is no time to think of what you do not have. Think of what you can do with what there is. ERNEST HEMINGWAYGratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy. JACQUES MARITAINIf a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get.FRANK A. CLARKHe is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.EPICTETUSThe last of human freedoms - the ability to choose one's attitude, especially an attitude of gratitude in a given set of circumstances, especially in difficult circumstances. VIKTOR E. FRANKLLearn to pay attention to your body with the relaxed attitude of gratitude, trust, curiosity and unconditional love rather than being pushed around by habit, fear, anxiety, social customs, other people's schedules and other people's ideas about what is good for you. WALLACE D. WATTLESOf all the 'attitudes' we can acquire, surely the attitude of gratitude is the most important and by far the most life-changing. ZIG ZIGLARWe often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. CYNTHIA OZICKAn attitude of gratitude creates blessings. JOHN TEMPLETONStormy or sunny days, glorious or lonely nights, I maintain an attitude of gratitude. MAYA ANGELOUFind a place inside where there's joy, and the joy will burn out the pain. JOSEPH CAMPBELLTrain yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude. ALBERT SCHWEITZERLive every day with an attitude of gratitude. TONY ROBBINSBoth abundance and lack exist simultaneously in our lives, as parallel realities. It is always our conscious choice which secret garden we will tend. SARAH BAN BREATHNACHCultivate an attitude of gratitude, of giving and forgiving. Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. RALPH WALDO EMERSONA sunny temper [an attitude of gratitude for what blessings and mercies there are] gilds the edges of life's blackest cloud. THOMAS GUTHRIEGratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings. WILLIAM ARTHUR WARDAn attitude of gratitude brings great things. HARBHAJAN SINGH YOGIGratitude can turn a meal into a feast. MELODY BEATTIEWhen a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude. ELIE WIESELWhen you view your world with an attitude of gratitude, you are training yourself to focus on the good in life. PAUL J. MEYER

38 Best Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Lifes Challenges
Musicians

38 Best Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Lifes Challenges

Rap legend Tupac Amaru Shakur is considered one of the most influential rappers and greatest artists of all time, having sold over 75 million records.Shakur was born to Alice Faye Williams, a member of the Black Panther Party. He attended the elite Baltimore School of the Arts where his creative side flourished, but his family moved before he could graduate.The new neighborhood was riven by crime so he became involved in the gang culture. Tupac’s mother had succumbed to crack addiction and bought her supply from the same street her son was selling drugs.In his pursue of a hip hop career, Tupac managed to stay away from a life of crime for a while and joined Digital Underground. He began his career as a backup dancer and MC. He evolved into a spokesperson for his generation through lyrics that told powerful stories around racism, violence and other social issues. Tupac’s presence was not just about being a great rapper, but a complete artist – he could act, he wrote poetry and he had serious dance moves.The rapper’s acting career was short, but he definitely made an impression there too, with his breakthrough role as a troubled high school teen who fashions himself into a cold-hearted killer, in action movie Juice (1992).Redefining the word "thug", Tupac was involved in many conflicts, but also showed responsibility, wisdom and a soft side at the same time. As the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry and tension started to grow, the rapper participated in the rivalry in a very vocal way. Things escalated, and he was murdered at the age of 25 in a drive-by shooting.Some conspiracy theorists believe he is still alive. Either way, his music will surely never die.Here are 38 Tupac quotes to motivate you to face life's challenges:Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside while still alive. Never surrender.Long live the rose that grew from concrete when no one else even cared.They have money for war but can't feed the poor.During your life, never stop dreaming. No one can take away your dreams.Whatever you see you gotta keep a sense of humor; you gotta be able to smile through all the bullshit.A coward dies a thousand times, a soldier dies but once.For every dark night, there's a brighter day.I think I'm a natural-born leader. I know how to bow down to authority if it's authority that I respect.You gotta make a change. You see the old way wasn't working so it’s on us, to do what we gotta do to survive.Don't believe everything you hear: Real eyes, Realize, Real lies.Watch for phonies, keep your enemies close, watch your homies.Tomorrow I wake with second wind and strong because of pride. I know I fought with all my heart to keep the dream alive.We probably in hell already, our dumb asses not knowin’, everybody kissin’ ass to go to heaven ain’t goin’.If they take half the buildings that they use to praise God and give it to the motherfuckers who need God we'd be 'aight.I'm not saying I'm gonna change the world, but I guarantee that I will spark the brain that will change the world.Pay no mind to those who talk behind your back, it simply means that you are two steps ahead.The seed must grow regardless of the fact that it’s planted in stone.Reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.All I’m trying to do is survive and make good out of the dirty, nasty, unbelievable lifestyle that they gave me.Our future is our confidence and self-esteem.Everybody’s at war with different things. I’m at war with my own heart sometimes.So no matter how hard it gets, stick your chest out, keep ya head up…. and handle it.Behind every sweet smile, there is a bitter sadness that no one can see and feel.Just cause you live in the ghetto doesn’t mean you can’t grow.Should I just stop trying and give up? But then, that’s exactly what they’re waiting for me to do.I would rather be stricken blind, than to live without expression of mind.The world moves fast and it would rather pass by than to stop and see what makes you cry.I mean why have 52 rooms and you know there’s somebody with no room? It just don’t make sense to me.Always do your best, don’t let the pressure make you panic.Life is a wheel of fortune and it’s my turn to spin it.I don’t see why everybody feel as though that they gotta tell me how to live my life.I set goals, take control, drink out my own bottle. I make mistakes but learn from every one.Everytime I speak, I want the truth to come out. Everytime I speak I want a shiver.Ain’t a woman alive that could take my mama’s place.Don’t change on me. Don’t extort me unless you intend to do it forever.My mama always used to tell me: ‘If you can’t find somethin’ to live for, you best find somethin’ to die for.’I don’t have no fear of death. My only fear is coming back reincarnated.People die but legends live forever.

Juice WRLD's Most Inspirational Quotes on Love, Life and Success
Musicians

Juice WRLD's Most Inspirational Quotes on Love, Life and Success

Jared Anthony Higgins was abandoned by his father at the age of three, leaving he and his older brother to be raised alone by their mother. Being more on the stricter side, Higgins' mother did not allow her boys to listen to hip hop, but he did learn a skill that gave him a unique heads-up. Jared started learning how to play the piano at just 4-years-old! RELATED: 40 Funny and Inspirational Quotes from Kanye WestHis mother paid for his piano lessons, which would eventually lead to him taking up guitar, drums, and even the trumpet. He began making music and posting songs to SoundCloud using his smartphone, rudimentary production skills that would later help him become a successful rapper, singer and songwriter on his own steam.But how did this talented, self-motivated young man become what many observers have called a contemporary icon in the industry?Who Is Juice WRLD: The Rise & Fall of a New Hip Hop IconCredit: Andy FordIn 2015, Higgins took the stage name Juice WRLD and by 2017, he released his first full-length EP titled 9, 9, 9 which included the single "Lucid Dreams," a song that would become his first Billboard chart entry and one that remains his most streamed release. Shortly after releasing this EP, Juice WRLD began to garner a huge fan following, while also being noticed by his peers like Waka Flocka Flame and Lil Bibby. Fellow rappers and fans were drawn to his unique hardcore rap grunge sound, as well as his relatable, yet poetic lyrics. This momentum led him to signing with Lil' Bibby's record label, Grade A Productions, under which, he released an EP titled Nothings Different, in which his track "All Girls Are the Same" became a hit, leading to him signing with Interscope Records on a multi-million dollar deal. RELATED: 30 Rapper Quotes to Motivate You to Keep GrindingFrom this success came a string of major hits and collaborations with artists like Young Thug, Post Malone, Lil Uzi Vert, Halsey, The Weeknd, Benny Blanco, and many others. He was nominated for many awards and even won Top New Artist at the 2019 Billboard Music Awards. Along with Juice WRLD's fame, however, came a dark side. He openly talked about how he started using drugs and drinking alcohol from a very young age. His mother later revealed that he also dealt with anxiety and depression. Mental health is an issue that Juice WRLD's mother still continues to advocate for through his social media account to this day. The Death of Juice WRLDCredit: XXL MagazineSadly, in 2019, while Juice WRLD was on a flight from Los Angeles to Chicago, he succumbed to his demons and suffered a devastating overdose. He was taken to the hospital upon landing, but was pronounced dead shortly after. His album Legends Never Die was released after his death and is one of the most successful posthumous debuts of all time. It also had the most U.S. top-10 entries from one album. On December 2nd, 2020, which would have been Juice WRLD's 22nd birthday, Benny Blanco released a single titled "Real Sh*t," which was in collaboration with the late artist. Just six days later, on the anniversary of Juice WRLD's death, "Reminds Me of You" featuring Kid Laroi was released, and in 2020, Juice WRLD became Spotify's fourth most streamed artist in the world. To say that Juicy WRLD impacted many lives is an understatement. It is more than evident that he continues to live on as his songs, lyrics, interviews, and words have continued to inspire and touch the lives of people of all ages and backgrounds. He is truly a legend and lucky for his fans, and has left behind a wealth of knowledge and depth that people can always look upon for motivation.Juice WRLD Quotes About Life Credit: XXL Magazine"Don't let the scale define you. Be active. Eat healthy. Be happy.""I wanna be more than a millionaire. I wanna change the world.""If anybody’s going through anything. I hope and I pray that you get through it.""The goal in life is not to live forever but to create something that will." “Ain’t nothing like the feeling of uncertainty, the eeriness of silence.”“Our heads are so imperfect, we drown ourselves in this imperfection. We don’t know what imperfection is. We only know how to spell it — we don’t know how it feels.”"I’ve always been different."“I numb and conceal them kinda like my feelings, but I still feel them.”“Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well.”"Break away from everybody break away from everything if you can’t stand the way this place is take yourself to higher places.""Growing up means realizing a lot of your friends are not really your friends.""Hate it when they play both sides. Too low in my life. Gotta stay high, gotta stay high."“A mistake is a mistake. Some are more severe than others, but we’re no one to judge the severity of someone’s mistake."Credit: ASAP Nast“Everybody has their mistakes. A mistake is a mistake. Some are more severe than others, but we’re no one to judge the severity of someone’s mistake. As long as we doin’ wrong, as long as we sinnin’, you can’t judge nobody else’s mistakes.”"A minor setback paves the way for a major comeback."“Made mistakes, but that’s what life is about. My mistakes lead me to a better route.”“People love to talk about the money that they make. Nobody wanna talk about the money that they save.”"The devil is so beautiful and strong. but don’t be fooled.. you are much stronger."When it gets dark outside, in you I confide. You help me face my demons I won’t hide.”RELATED: 38 Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Life’s Challenges“Never been afraid to die but I always been afraid to die before I get where I’m going.”“Exhale depression as the wind blows. These are the laws of living in vogue.”"It’s good to put money back into communities.""Drugs can ruin your whole life."“A lot of men make fun of you for expressing your feelings because they don’t get it. They can’t wrap their heads around the concept of being completely honest and forthright.”“Tell me that it is all okay. I have been waiting on this all damn day.”“Everybody, stay positive no matter how negative life gets.”"People will do you wrong over and over, but the one time you call them out you're suddenly the bad guy."RELATED: Kendrick Lamar’s Most Powerful Quotes and Lyrics That Will Inspire Your Life"I feel like I inspire more people than I think I do. I just need to remember that.""Even if I’m talking about something that’s negative, I look at it as putting my mistakes out there for people to learn from it.""Thank you, God, for waking me up when u ain’t have to. This life is a blessing I won’t take for granted.""My music is straightforward because I want to give people me and let them know they’re not alone in going through the things that they go through."“I never thought about college, but my mom thought about it for me. I knew 100% it wasn’t for me.”"By default I’m kind-hearted and it’s a gift, not a curse, you just gotta know who to show your kind heart to."The Most Famous Juice WRLD QuotesCredit: Grade A Productions/Interscope“We’re perfectly imperfect children. Rose from the dust, all of us are on a mission.” - Empty"I really just like making music. People call that ‘work.’ Like, ‘Oh, you’re going to the studio to work?’ No, that’s even what I do in my off day. I love recording.""I feel as though, if you’re able to control your dreams, you have more power and control over your mind, like you could reach more areas of your mind. Therefore, I feel like it creates the ability for you to achieve more things in reality."“If you ain’t payin’ a hundred thousand, get them features out my face.”"You found another one, but I am the better one. I won't let you forget me." - Lucid Dreams"I think it’s important to add a personal aspect to your music – that’s what makes it authentic at the end of the day."“Music is the best way that I can communicate with other people” Billboard interview"It is hard to separate the art from the artist."“Some people don’t get the credit that they deserve strictly based on the color of their skin."Credit: XXL Magazine"Nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws; everybody has their dark secrets and vices."“I talk about a lot of issues I go through and some of my fans go through and try to create a fellowship where people can relate to each other.”"I just walked in the building. Look like a million, but I’m worth more than a million.""I had phases of listening to rap and trap, and then I had phases where I’d listen to post-hardcore, rap, grunge, metal… all that. I had different time periods of listening to different music. And now it all clashes together."“But now I got a bigger job, the world screaming my songs.”“My school had a radio show, and when I first decided to become a rapper, I was on there, and I would like, freestyle.”“Trust me—it’s cool to invest.”“Some people don’t get the credit that they deserve strictly based on the color of their skin. And technically speaking, my people made up those same genres. They created that sound in the first place.” -GQ Magazine"I feel like that’s what’s going to be most respected at the end of the day, that I’m able to do so many different things and become less of a rapper and just more as a musician.""I got family members that’s police officers. I don’t got no problem if you a cop, as long as y’all doing y’all job, and y’all not harassing.""Some people don’t get the credit that they deserve strictly based on the color of their skin. And technically speaking, my people made up those same genres. They created that sound in the first place."RELATED: 30 Music Quotes That Celebrate The Magic of Sound And Rhythm"Never been afraid to die but I always been afraid to die before I get where I’m going.""Words have a lot of power."“I freestyle everything.”“Words can be as sweet as candy or as sharp as a blade. That’s the beauty of it.”"My goal is to get overly famous, shine for a couple years then fake my death.”“I try my best to make time with music that doesn’t have an expiration date.”Credit: Getty Images“Honestly, the way I make music, you know it is like I don’t want to sound cocky or anything, but I try my best to make time with music that doesn’t have an expiration date.”"All I ever wanted was real love. Got a pint of the lean, I done lucked up."“I chase thrills, you still crashin’ Hot Wheels.”"I like to call myself an artist who can tap into a lot of different sounds. I can make a rap song, and then turn around and make music with a live band if I wanted to." -Elevator Magazine“It’s funny how the blessed ones had the most curses.”“I have these Lucid Dreams where I can’t move a thing.”“What’s the 27 club? We ain’t making it past 21.”"Nobody on this earth is perfect. Everybody has their flaws; everybody has their dark secrets and vices."“Roses are red, violets are blue, my heart is dead, I am such a fool.”“Either I grow with you or outgrow you, I am not standing still for nobody.”“I talk about a lot of issues I go through and some of my fans go through and try to create a fellowship where people can relate to each other.”Juice WRLD Quotes About RelationshipsGetty Images"You brought meaning to my life, all because of you I do right; because of you, I have a purpose; Fight for the world because you’re worth it.""It’s to the point where I love and I hate you."“You gave me a heart that was full of mistakes, I gave you my heart, and you made heartbreak.”“You found another one, but I am the better one. I won’t let you forget me.” -Lucid Dreams"We are trying to hide our feelings, but we forgot that our eyes speak.""I’m sad inside, but I know it’s for the best, right? You had to realize when you drew the line. I would cross the line a thousand times; you’ve got what I need, bae, I need your spotlight.""Can’t take back the love that I gave you.""She told me to put my heart in the bag and nobody gets hurt. Now I am running from her love I am not fast so I am making it worse." “You done woke me up from my eternal slumber, “I’m the lightning you’re the thunder.” -Flaws and Sins"If you ever get jealous, just remember I chose you out of everyone else." "You just gotta learn to live and love on."“All girls are the same. They are rotting my brain, love. Think I need a change before I go insane, love. All girls are the same. They are potting my brain. love. Think I need a change before I go.”"Once you fall in love you fall, there’s a reason why we use that word."“Don’t know when I met you, but I met you. Don’t know why I love you, but I love you.”Credit: FilmMagic, Steve Jennings“Don’t know when I met you, but I met you. Don’t know why I love you, but I love you. It is something bound by that dress, the way it fits you. I don’t even wanna tell you to take it off, but baby take it off.”“One thing my dad told me was, ‘Never let your woman know when you’re insecure."“Tell me you love me, tell me everything gon’ be okay. Tell me you love me, tell me you love me, and you gon’ stay.”“You said, ‘I love you,’ and I said it too. The only difference is, I didn’t lie to you.”“I still see your shadows in my room. Can’t take back the love that I gave you. It’s to the point where I love and I hate you.”“And I cannot change you, so I must replace you. Oh easier said than done.”“Who knew evil girls had the prettiest faces?”“Now I’m running from her love, I’m not fast. So I’m making it worse. Now I’m digging up a grave from my past.”“I don’t know if it’s because my heart hurts or if I am insecure.”"Why did I fall for you? I gave it all for you.""I bet if you someone you never even thought about giving a chance to you’ll be the happiest with.""They all always notice when you acting different but they never see what they did to make you start acting that way.""Even in high school, I went through a lot of relationship issues, and that’s at the center of my music.""You were my everything. Thoughts of a wedding ring. Now I’m just better off dead.""This type of love don’t always come and go.""Thank God, I finally found you. You put the light in my eyes when I’m around you."“Life is not the same with your pictures in my frame. Now that you’re here, I want nothing to change. You pick me up when I’m down; I need you around.”“Date me, break me, easily replace me. Hopefully you see it clear. Hopefully, it’s HD.”“The best feeling in the world is lying with my beautiful wife.”“I’ve been through the wringer, tryna put a diamond ring on her finger.”“Now I am insane, demons in my brain. Love, peace, I can’t obtain ‘cause all these girls the same, love.”KEEP READING:Bob Marley’s Deepest Thoughts – And How They Will Help You Reach a Higher Level

20 Inspirational Jay-Z Quotes about Life and Success
Musicians

20 Inspirational Jay-Z Quotes about Life and Success

Born Shawn Corey Carter, Jay-Z made it through a rough adolescence while growing up in Brooklyn. Luckily, rapping served as an escape from the terrible life he could’ve had.Jay-Z appeared for the first time on Yo! MTV Raps in 1989. Along with Jaz-O, his mentor at the time, the performer started making history in the rap industry. It was then that Shawn became Jay-Z, choosing this nickname part out of consideration for Jaz-O and part as a reference to the J/Z subway station near the place he used to live in.In order to fund his own independent label Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z sold albums out of his car. Arguably one of the smartest investors, he achieved his goal, created his own clothing line, invested in other businesses, and since behind every successful man there is a strong woman, he wedded singer Beyoncé.Jay-Z has always openly talked about his life in many of his songs and in 2010, he published his autobiography, Decoded, a collection of lyrics and their meanings and a story anyone can relate to.Here are 20 Jay-Z quotes to inspire and motivate you on your way to success.I'm not afraid of dying, I'm afraid of not trying.We change people through conversation, not through censorship.I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man!Life is all there is. And if that's true, then we have to really live it -- we have to take it for everything it has and "die enormous" instead of "living dormant."I will not lose, for even in defeat, there’s a valuable lesson learned, so it evens up for me.All I got is dreams. Nobody else believes. Nobody else can see. Nobody else but me.I believe you can speak things into existence.May the best of your todays be the worst of your tomorrows.Everyone needs a chance to evolve.Identity is a prison you can never escape, but the way to redeem your past is not to run from it, but to try to understand it, and use it as a foundation to grow.Only God can judge me so I'm gone, either love me or leave me alone.Truth is you don't need some external demon to take control of you to turn you into a raging, money-obsessed sociopath, you only need to let loose the demons you already have inside of you.They talk. We live. Who cares what they say?A wise man told me don't argue with fools. Cause people from a distance can't tell who is who.If the beat is time, flow is what we do with that time, how we live through it. The beat is everywhere, but every life has to find its own flow.The more society treats drug addiction as a crime, the more money drug dealers will make "relieving" the suffering of the addicts.I believe everyone in the world is born with genius-level talent. Apply yourself to whatever you’re genius at, and you can do anything in the world.Money and power don't change you, they just further expose your true self.People look at you strange, say you changed. Like you worked that hard to stay the same.You can want success all you want, but to get it, you can’t falter. You can’t slip, you can’t sleep. One eye open, for real, and forever.

Ed Sheeran's Most Inspiring Quotes and Lyrics to Live a Happier Life
Musicians

Ed Sheeran's Most Inspiring Quotes and Lyrics to Live a Happier Life

Ed Sheeran loved playing guitar since he was a young boy. At the age of 11, he met singer-songwriter Damien Rice who encouraged him to write his own music. So the next day he started to do just that.It wasn’t long before the young musician began selling his music, as in 2004 he put together his first official EP, The Orange Room. With that accomplishment and an incredible drive to succeed, Sheeran went to London to find some gigs. Leaving home with nothing but a guitar and a backpack full of clothes, Ed began his journey to stardom.RELATED: Inspirational Winnie the Pooh Quotes About Life & FriendshipSince the release of his debut single The A Team (2011) - a beautiful, yet dark song about a woman he met after singing at a homeless shelter - Sheeran has been highly successful. Thinking Out Loud, Shape of You, Perfect and Photograph are just a few of Ed Sheeran’s songs that brought him international attention.In 2017, the singer has become a member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for his services to music and charity. Here are 10 of Ed Sheeran’s most inspiring quotes and lyrics:“I chased the picture perfect life, I think they painted it wrong.” - From Eraser(Getty)Eraser is a song from Ed Sheeran’s third album, Divided. The record reveals details about the singer’s personal life and it is basically a way for him to vent about all the problems he encountered since he became famous. The envy his family and friends felt once he became successful really affected him as Ed did his best to remain the same, regardless of the amount of money he was making.However, this specific lyric has a very deep meaning to it that we can all relate to. We all chase the picture perfect life that the society “painted” for us. And that life usually revolves around money, fame and beauty standards. But the majority of people who managed to achieve all these goals are not necessarily happy because a happy life consists of so much more. So make sure you’re the one painting your picture perfect life because at the end of the day, you’re the only one who knows what makes you happy. “You want to make sure that someone is there for you when you really need them, and not just there for you for the good times.”Sadly, we all know people who are there for us only for the good times and once the going gets tough it’s like they don’t even exist. They don’t even bother to send us a text message to ask us how we’re doing, but they miraculously reappear when things are back on track.RELATED: The Best Dr Seuss Quotes About Life, Love, Reading and Education for Children & AdultsThe ugly truth is that not many people are willing to burden themselves with somebody else’s problems. So if you have a few friends that don’t bail out on you when you really need them, keep them close.“Do what you love, work as hard as you can, and make people happy.”(Getty)This quote from Ed Sheeran sounds somewhat like a recipe for a happier life. Doing the things you love help you recharge and if you can do what you love for a living, even better! Maybe some won’t agree that hard work can make one happy, but it kinda does. Keeping yourself busy means that you won’t have too much time left to dwell on the negative things in your life. Besides, nothing compares to that feeling of accomplishment you get once your hard work pays off.And if we’re to refer to the last thing mentioned in this quote, making people happy will make you a better person. Helping someone in need, offering a gift or a pep talk - all these things will also make you a happier person.“I'm all for people following their dreams/ Just remember life is more than fittin’ in your jeans./ It’s love and understanding, positivity.” - From What Do I KnowWhat Do I Know was written by Ed Sheeran on the spot and it’s part of his third album. The main idea behind this song is that love can change the world.In these lyrics, the singer makes it clear that he supports anyone who wants to follow their dreams. But at the same time he wants us to understand that life is about so much more than the silly things we are sometimes too preoccupied with - like fitting in our jeans. RELATED: Why the British Royal Family Gets So Much Hate – And How It Might Change ForeverTo sum it up, make sure you don’t invest too much time and energy in things that don’t count as much as love, understanding and positivity.“I think to be successful at anything you have to put in a hell of a lot of effort. Pick your battles. I picked music, put in a lot of effort, and it’s worked.”(Getty)Sometimes it may seem like for some people success simply happens over night. But if you look closer, you’ll realize that a lot of those people have worked really hard and made a lot of compromises to get where they are today - And they still do.Like Sheeran says, pick your battles. Discover what you like or what you’re good at, then put in some effort to become really good at it. Your hard work will eventually pay off. “Even if you have quirks and weirdness you should not be worried about that. Just be yourself because there is no one in the world that can be a better you than you. And if you try to be the cool kid from class, you end up being very boring,”In 2015, Ed Sheeran offered an inspiring speech at the AIS Gala while opening up about overcoming his stutter and other things that made others see him as a weird kid.He went through tough speech therapy and homeopathy, but what really helped him overcome his stutter was trying to rap very fast and melodically, like Eminem. The bottom line here is that Sheeran sought treatment, but he didn’t see his condition as an obstacle to fulfill his dreams or live the life he wanted. He pushed forward, embraced his weirdness, didn’t care about what people had to say and now he encourages everyone to do the same.“The worst things in life come free to us.” - From A Team(Getty)Obviously no one asks or pays for the horrible things they have to go through in this life. They come for free, they sometimes leave terrible marks and there is nothing we can do about it. Except for, of course, trying to overcome them.But on a more positive note, the best things in life are also free of charge. Whenever something bad happens to you, don’t forget about your blessings. Life’s often not fair and kicks us in unexpected ways, but it also gives us wonderful memories and great things to look forward to.“Try to find someone with a sense of humor. That's an important thing to have because when you get into an argument, one of the best ways to diffuse it is to be funny.”I remember reading a funny meme a long time ago. It said that whenever your significant other is mad at you, put a cape on them and say “Now you’re Super Mad.”RELATED: 13 Self Worth Quotes to Help Build Your Confidence & Self EsteemHaving a sense of humor and knowing when and how to use it will help you diffuse a lot of unnecessary arguments. Of course, for this to happen, your significant other also needs to have a sense of humor. So try to find someone that’s your kind of crazy and whenever you have a disagreement, throw in a joke or two. But be sure to pick your moments because there will be times when you’ll have to be serious about what’s happening. “Be nice to everyone, always smile, and appreciate things because it could all be gone tomorrow.”(Getty)Why be rude and grumpy when you can be nice and smile to everyone? Don’t you hate it when you go to a restaurant and the waitress is rude to you because she’s having a bad day? If yes, don’t act the same way. Most people that we interact with are not responsible for our problems. Also, don’t forget to be grateful for everything you have, especially for the people that care about you. Material things can be replaced, but not people. So make sure they know how much you appreciate them before it’s too late.“Loving can heal, loving can mend your soul… “ - From PhotographNow, truth to be told, the development of the song Photograph began while Ed Sheeran was humming “loving can hurt”.But love doesn’t hurt. It can lead to suffering when the ones that we love betray or reject us, but that’s something else. Maybe it’s a matter of perspective, but love is the only thing in this world that can mend a soul and make it feel wonderful again. Love means happiness, so if your heart has been broken, don’t run away from love and allow yourself to be happy again.KEEP READING:The Most Motivational Star Wars Quotes from a Galaxy Far, Far Away

Bob Dylan’s Best Lyrics about Life, Love and Creativity
Musicians

Bob Dylan’s Best Lyrics about Life, Love and Creativity

Iconic folk singer-songwriter Bob Dylan is known for his clever, catchy, beautiful and inspirational lyrics. Dylan has won numerous prestigious awards for his work, including an Oscar, Golden Globe, Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize and multiple Grammys. RELATED: The 10 Deepest Thoughts John Lennon Shared about Love, Life and HappinessWith a net worth in the hundreds of millions, he certainly doesn’t need to keep working, and yet, he's been continually touring for decades, an effort many refer to as the “Never Ending Tour.” His songs are often imbued with political, spiritual and social messages that resonate on a personal level, but what are his most powerful lyrics, quotes and sayings?"The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.”Dylan is a master of poetic, emotive language. This famous lyric is a perfect example of the power of his words. Consider that the answers to your problems, your dreams, your wishes, and your questions may already be right there... blowing in the wind around you. Yes, they may be hard to pin down, hard to access and hard to hear, but they are there nonetheless. They may be slippery or drift away. They may circle back or whisper to you as they whip on by on their journey. But if you're aware and looking and listening, you’ll find them."May your hands always be busy, may your feet always be swift...”Full Quote: "May your hands always be busy, may your feet always be swift, may you have a strong foundation, when the winds of change shift.”Life is an ever-changing wonder. Change and challenges are always on the horizon, but so are possibility, growth, creativity, love and opportunity. Being ready for what comes, opening yourself to new experiences, and embracing the always malleable world around you can help you keep going. RELATED: Nina Simone’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Life and LoveKeeping going, working hard and staying grounded are also key. So, keep yourself busy, keep yourself nimble and quick, and stay attuned to what matters most. That way you will be ready to face whatever it is that life throws at you, with an open heart, a clever mind and a tenacious spirit."Well, I try my best, to be just like I am.”Full Quote: "Well, I try my best, to be just like I am, but everybody wants you, to be just like them.”This quote reminds us not to blindly bow to peer pressure or the will of the group. Others may encourage you to sacrifice what is important or become just like them. Be true to yourself and your creative spirit instead. Listen to your heart. Know that you don’t have to acclimate, especially if it means giving up on what matters to you. It’s just fine to be different and to explore what makes you... you. So, honor who you are inside and trust that it's okay “to be just like I am.” The people around you may not always understand; they may try to mold you in their image. But you, and only you, get to decide who it is that you really are. Live your truth to set yourself free."The man in me will hide sometimes to keep from bein’ seen.”Full Quote: "The man in me will hide sometimes to keep from bein’ seen, but that’s just because he doesn’t want to turn into some machine.”In this lyric, Dylan taps into the urge to hide and protect. Honor that feeling in yourself and listen to what it's telling you. Consider if you need to be hiding or if you can find other solutions. Seek other ways to confront whatever it is that you are facing while also remaining true to yourself. RELATED: Kendrick Lamar’s Most Powerful Quotes and Lyrics That Will Inspire Your LifeNot wanting to “turn into some machine” evokes the idea of losing your purpose, your individuality, spirit, and passion… and becoming just like everyone else. So, hide if you must, but better yet, rail against it, so that you can be both visible and free."When you got nothing, you got nothing to lose."This quote reminds us that trying is what counts. Taking chances and engaging with your creativity, even when we feel we have no skin in the game, can be powerful. If you don’t start, you can’t finish. So, go for your dreams. If you want to write a book, run a mile (or a marathon), learn aikido, have a family, master Spanish, start a business, or find true love, stick your neck out and take the risk to begin. Often it is fear of failure that keeps us complacent and stuck. But it is not starting or going for it that is the true failure; this approach offers the guarantee of nothing happening. When you try while you’ve got something to lose, you also give yourself the chance of success."Sign in the window says lonely, sign on the door said no company allowed.”Often, we send mixed messages, both to others and ourselves. If you’re looking for love, work, creative pursuits, or work opportunities, you need to put yourself out there with an open heart and mind. If you hide behind a “no” when you want to say “yes,” you’ll never get the outcome you desire. Yes, it’s hard to take risks. But only by letting ourselves become vulnerable can we find what we’re truly after, whether it’s love, a creative endeavor, a personal goal, or a professional aspiration.KEEP READING:Bob Marley’s Deepest Thoughts – And How They Will Help You Reach a Higher Level

Kendrick Lamar’s New Song 'The Heart Part 5' Is a Heart Wrenching Tribute to the Power of Forgiveness
Musicians

Kendrick Lamar’s New Song 'The Heart Part 5' Is a Heart Wrenching Tribute to the Power of Forgiveness

Kendrick Lamar is back with new single “The Heart Part 5”, the newest installation in his recurring The Heart series. The release marks the announcement of his forthcoming album ‘Mr Morale & The Big Steppers’ and his return to music since the critically acclaimed DAMN! was released in 2018. The anticipation has been high and the 34 year old Los Angeles based artist gifted his fans a 5:32 record accompanied with a powerful video. With production duo Beach Noise providing instrumentation, Kendrick raps over a chopped sample of Marvin Gaye’s “I Want You,” a song originally released in 1976 that served as a romantic tribute to Janis Hunter, Gaye’s wife. The video, both starring and directed by Lamar with longtime collaborator Dave Free, is minimal and performance based. Lamar stands afront a red screen, wearing a white shirt and blue bandana around his neck, passionately rapping along with the record. The twist is, as the lyrics progress, Lamar, using deep fake special effects, morphs into a cast of black male cultural figures such as OJ Simpson, Kanye West, Jussie Smollett, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant, and Nipsey Hussle. Lamar, known for lyrical depth and symbolism, matches the lyrics with the history of each respective celebrity that appears on screen, making a larger statement about the current climate of North American culture. With this in mind, one could assume that the intention for the record came hand in hand with the visual concept.Kendrick Lamar’s PerspectiveLamar begins with the statement, “as I get a little older, I realize life is perspective and my perspective may differ from yours.” In The Heart Part 5, this perspective extends beyond himself and onto the men who appear via deep fake, all of whom have made a cultural impact in recent history. Lamar both pays homage to leaders, such as Nipsey Hussle, and questions the integrity of egoists, such as Will Smith, all while empathizing with the pressures of celebrity. There is much to unpack in Lamar’s new record, a social commentary that could be analyzed from a variety of different angles. This article will focus specifically on verse three, when Lamar and the late Nipsey Hussle exchange moments; riffing on fate, community, forgiveness, and hope. Nipsey Hussle, a famous hip-hop artist and community activist was fatally shot in front of his own store in South Central Los Angeles in 2019. Lamar reflects on finding out Nipsey had passed, “I’m in Argentina wiping my tears, full of confusion, water in between us another peer has been executed” he pauses and further professes, “but that’s the culture, hard to deal with the pain when you’re sober, by tomorrow we forget the remains and start over.” This is an extremely vulnerable moment as Kendrick brings forth the idea of a cultural cycle within his own community, one that is desensitized to gun violence, turning to drugs to mourn loss. Nipsey Hussle: The Immortal EmpathSimilar to Lamar, Hussle grew up in South Central, and like Lamar, is known for fighting injustice and addressing socio economic issues within his music. Both artists were community leaders in their respective Los Angeles neighborhoods, donating money back to the streets they grew up on, providing young men with opportunities to break out of a poverty cycle that has negatively impacted people of color in the United States. Later In the video, after reflecting on his passing, Kendrick deep fakes as Hussle; speaking from his perspective; "To my brother, to my kids, I'm in Heaven, to my mother, to my sis, I'm in Heaven, to my father, to my wife, I am serious, this is Heaven.” Kendrick, as Hussle, is speaking directly to his family and letting them know that, not only is he in heaven, in fact, heaven does exist, professing that beyond death, there is peace. Kendrick has chosen to paint the picture of a utopian afterlife, one that juxtaposes the violence of South Central Los Angeles. Kendrick views Hussle as a man of empathy and righteousness, one that, even in his own death, would forgive his murderer, “and to the killer that sped up my demise, I forgive you, just know your soul's In question, I seen the pain In your pupil, when that trigger had squeezed, and though you did me gruesome, I was surely relieved.” Kendrick recognizes that the senseless violence, which has taken so many people he’s known, as well as Hussle, is rooted in anger, connecting to a larger issue of institutionalized racism in America, a systemic pattern that has made it difficult for people of color to afford higher education, access healthcare and seek job opportunities. Hussle forgives his killer, seeing the pain in his eyes, attempting to understand the struggle he’s gone through, blaming a system instead of an individual. Hussle’s murderer was in the same gang as him, Rollin’ 90s, and was also a rapper, although his music never caught on in the same way Hussle’s did. Some speculate that the reasoning for the killing was out of jealousy for Hussle’s success. This brings us back to the sample featured on the record, Marvin Gaye, who, similarly, faced his demise at age forty-four, when his own father shot him in 1984, echoing the situation that Hussle faced, as Gaye’s father was fueled with jealousy and resentment. Hussle goes on to say, “I completed my mission, wasn't ready to leave, but fulfilled my days, my creator was pleased,” expressing that he lived a good life, one where his “mission” was giving back to the community he grew up in, positioning his priorities as giving back to his family and community. Last ThoughtsKendrick as Hussle, ends the track with this powerful sentiment, “and to my neighborhood, let the good prevail, make sure them babies and them lead us outta jail, look for salvation when troubles get real, 'cause you can't help the world until you help yourself,'' explaining that change must come from within and begin locally. Show love to your community and to your family first, work on yourself, and the rest of the world will follow. Kendrick paints an incredible picture of Hussle, one of forgiveness and empathy, one that individuals should follow as a model for themselves.

How Frank Ocean Outsmarted His Record Label And What That Teaches Us About Self-Belief
Musicians

How Frank Ocean Outsmarted His Record Label And What That Teaches Us About Self-Belief

Frank Ocean’s career has been a string of perfectly executed game plans and unique offerings to the music world. His art is timeless, perfectly blended genres with storytelling that is poignant, simple and utterly flawless. He first emerged onto the scene as a songwriter for artists like Beyonce, John Legend, Justin Bieber and Brandy. After signing to Def Jam as an artist, Frank wasn’t able to carve out the space he needed to gain the label's attention and loyalty. That’s when he dropped nostalgia, ultra without their permission and burst onto the scene. The mixtape made Frank an immediate legend and drew buzz from all over the internet. Def Jam simply couldn’t ignore him then. One year later, Frank returns with Channel Orange, the Grammy award winning masterpiece that certified Frank’s ability as a songwriter and outright visionary. His work was effortless, loved by everyone and distinguished as a rare offering by a young artist. He’d cemented himself as a great artist, respected by his peers. Endless and Def Jam RecordingsThen he disappeared for four years. No one heard from him, fans waited anxiously for new music until in August of 2016 a mysterious stream appeared on his website. Fans slowly watched as Frank built a staircase. Towards the end of the stream, his latest album, Endless appeared as the soundtrack.(Frank Ocean's Endless visual album)A beautiful, intricate and yet sometimes disjointed offering. Endless is simply beautiful. However, the project signifies much more than Frank Ocean’s return to music. Frank cleverly used the album as a decoy to get himself out of his deal with Def Jam, and then signed an exclusive contract with Apple Music for a second album (released that same weekend). Though unconfirmed, there’s rumors Frank used a private benefactor to pay back the initial $2 million advance he received before dropping the album, thus retaining the ownership of his releases with Def Jam. After dropping Endless to get himself out of the Def Jam deal, he dropped his real album, Blonde with Apple Music for an earth-shattering $20 million. It is considered by critics to be one of the greatest albums of the 21st century, and was a stunning hit with fans.Blonde's Defining Success“I feel at peace with all that,” Frank explains in an interview with GAYLETTER, “I feel like the best outcome for myself was that outcome, and I feel proud of what I was able to get done with it. I love the music and the art that came out of that period, as well as the visual work. It’s definitely a period I look back on fondly.”“Well, fucking with major music companies, you’re going to be…deflowered. Anytime you get into the business side of the arts, there has to be some degree of objectification or commodification that you’re comfortable with, of yourself and of your work.”The reality is that the music business is just that, a business. Just as labels have found ways to move around artists, Frank found a way to move around them. The plan is legendary, and a huge win for artists around the world in terms of ownership over your art, career and livelihood. (Getty)Frank did something few artists ever get the chance to do, and he came out with a huge financial payoff in the end. He notes however, that purpose and intention are big parts of the journey. It’s important to reflect on where you want to go, specifically and what success really looks like to you. It’s easy to get disillusioned with a career in the arts. “I don’t know about purity. It depends on what you want. A lot of people I talk to about careers in the music industry, their ideas of success have to do with nostalgia. They have to do with tropes of success, things they’ve been shown over the years that represent what a successful career is. I think that helps you become prey, because somebody can manipulate you with those things. Then you may get to a point in your experience where you become disillusioned with those things. So anybody having a clear idea — even if it’s as crass as “how much money do I want to make, specifically?” — I think that’s much clearer than some of these other things that represent success, whether that’s X amount of spins or streams or plaques. Even sold-out venues. If those things don’t help you reach your defined priorities, then what are those things there for?”“That’s how I try to make decisions in my life and career, and, if asked, I share that philosophy with anybody who asks. For me, it’s about Why am I doing this? What exactly do I want from this? And how do I get those specific things I want out of this? And what does success look like on those terms? And what does failure look like on those terms? That’s how I think about it now.”Aftermath of Frank Ocean's Finesse(Getty)Frank’s deal is immortalized in the industry forever. He forced Def Jam to quickly cancel all Apple exclusive deals as payback for the move and proved there’s ways for artists to build their own leverage in this industry. By paying attention, and deeply understanding the game you're moving in, you can create a foundation to build wealth off your art while retaining ownership. The industry was created to confuse people without the resources to understand. Frank is another artist in a long list of great who’ve created blueprints for the next generation to profit off of their work. One of the most important aspects of Frank's success is that he understands his value. He wasn’t willing to settle for less. He’s built a career off of betting on himself. With nostalgia, ultra and the self-released success of his first mixtape, to the unforgettable masterpiece Blonde, Frank has always found a way to stay one step ahead of the competition and industry as a whole. He’s consistently defined success on his own terms and that’s given him the ability to create life as he imagines. Self-belief is at the root of all achievement.

Kendrick Lamar's Most Powerful Quotes and Lyrics That Will Inspire Your Life
Musicians

Kendrick Lamar's Most Powerful Quotes and Lyrics That Will Inspire Your Life

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth, professionally known as Kendrick Lamar, is an American rapper, songwriter, and producer, widely known for his incredibly inspirational and motivational rap music.RELATED: Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Life’s ChallengesKendrick Lamar has received much praise for his great music talent and skills – 12 Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Music (to name a few). Besides, in 2016, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Lamar is a true role model and his wisdom and philosophy extends beyond the mic. If you’re not yet convinced, check out the following list of his most powerful quotes and lyrics to inspire you to be the best you can be."The message I’m sending to myself..."Full Quote: "The message I’m sending to myself -- I can’t change the world until I change myself first."This is a message that we should all send to ourselves. If you want the world to change for the better, you should try to become better yourself. Nobody’s perfect, so there will always be aspects that you can improve, whether it’s toward yourself or others.Do small acts of kindness as often as possible -- whatever is in your reach or power. Any gesture will count, whether you help an old lady cross the street or pay for someone’s meal. It all starts with you!"If I speak the good into existence..."Full Quote: "If I speak the good into existence, that instant my dreams will unlock, money flow like water, I’ll just wait at the dock." "Cut You Off"In this lyric from Cut You Off, Kendrick refers to positive thinking and its benefits.Many people will have probably read The Secret or watched the documentary. Its main idea is that positive thinking and energy attract good things in life. Positive energy will govern your thoughts and actions so you can achieve anything you want.RELATED: Nina Simone’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Life and LoveOf course just thinking about something won’t make it suddenly appear. But at first you have to have a dream, firmly believe in it, then take action. If you always say “I will never have that”, you’re probably right."Take advantage, do your best..."Full Quote: "Take advantage, do your best. Don't stress, you was granted everything inside this planet. Anything you imagine, you possess." – "Blessed"Just because you’re not where you thought you’d be 10 years ago doesn’t mean you’ll never get there. For some of us, the things we want come later in life. Some of us just have to work harder than others.So keep on believing, be grateful and work with what you have. Don’t stress about the fact that you’re not moving at the same pace as others. Progress is still progress, no matter how small. Stay on the right track and one day, you may have everything your heart desires."I live this life at a pace that anyone can go..."Full Quote: "I live this life at a pace that anyone can go. Know your place, and dedicate your role." – "See No Evil"In this lyric, Kendrick is basically telling us that if he could do it, we can too. He is no superhuman, he is moving at a pace that anyone can.Just as stated before, speed is not the most important thing in achieving your goals. What matters most is to always know your best interest and keep your eyes on the prize. You have to know exactly what you’re going for, dedicate yourself entirely to your dream and make sure you don’t miss any opportunity that comes along."Life will put many red lights in front of you..."Full Quote: "Life will put many red lights in front of you, but sometimes we must push on the gas and trust God."Life can challenge us at any given second and we’ll have to face all kinds of obstacles. Sometimes you will be lucky enough to immediately find a solution for your problem, but other times you’ll just have to take a leap of faith and believe that everything will be ok.RELATED: 20 Most Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. QuotesSome things will simply be beyond your control -- they will slow you down, but they don’t necessarily have to stop you from moving forward. So hit the gas and speed away! "We all get distracted, the question is..."Full Quote: "We all get distracted, the question is, would you bounce back or bounce backwards?" - "Growing Apart (To Get Closer)"No one can be 100% focused at all times. You’re going to get distracted every now and then. Even the hardest working people can falter and lose their way. We’re human, and sometimes we’re going to waste some time on stuff that doesn’t really matter.Getting distracted, in this case, can also mean experiencing failure and noone is immune to that. Whatever the case, what really matters at the end of the day, is whether you choose to get back on track and move forward or just wander off."The hardest thing..." Full Quote: "The hardest thing for – not only an artist but for anybody to do is look themselves in the mirror and acknowledge, you know, their own flaws and fears and imperfections and put them out there in the open for people to relate to it." It’s not unusual for people to see themselves differently from who they really are. It is indeed very hard to accept our fears and flaws. And once we do, it seems even harder to present ourselves “naked” in front of others because we’re afraid of being judged.The truth is, everyone you know already has an opinion about you and they already judge. So you might as well be yourself and own up to it. It’s the ones who have the courage to admit and accept who they are that inspire, not the ones who hide behind a mask."We hurt people that love us, love people that hurt us."It’s ironic how often we cling to toxicity and reject the ones who actually care for us. We take for granted the people who love us and end up hurting them in the process. And we ruin ourselves while chasing the ones who hurt us.Once in a while we have to take a step back to realize who is really worthy of our affection and sacrifices. We need to start appreciating the ones who love us before it’s too late."Consequences from evil will make your past haunt you."This quote can have two meanings. One can refer to the consequences of the evil that has been levied onto us. We never truly forget the ones who have harmed us, do we? We can find ways to maybe forgive and move on, but we never really forget.RELATED: Motivational Quotes to Help You Rise AboveOn the other hand, this quote can make reference to our own past mistakes and wrongdoings. We all have to pay our dues sooner or later, one way or another. Karma has a way of settling scores and there’s really no escaping it."The sky can fall down, the wind can cry now."Full Quote: "The sky can fall down, the wind can cry now. The strong in me, I still smile. – "i "It’s easier to be said than done, but you mustn’t let anything take your smile away.Smiling in the face of adversity is your superpower. Whenever you’re going through hardship, take a few seconds to look in the mirror and smile even if it’s through tears. You might look like a crazy person for a moment, but it'll help you stay strong. Your sadness or rage will fade away a lot faster.Nothing can take you down as long as you keep your ability to smile. Besides, it’s what makes you beautiful. Never let it go!We hope that you enjoyed these quotes and lyrics from Kendrick Lamar and that they will inspire you to change your mindset and become stronger and wiser.KEEP READING: 5 Powerful Batman Quotes to Inspire Light in Your Dark Nights

What Shrek and Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah' Teach Us About Rejection and Perseverance
Movies

What Shrek and Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah' Teach Us About Rejection and Perseverance

The best songs take us to amazing, unexpected places. They teach us things about ourselves, about others. They get into our heads and roll off our tongues. They share memories, wishes, struggles, and feelings. Often, songs can relay thoughts with greater emotion and power than words simply spoken or on the page. They reach our hearts, our souls, and our dreams. The Leonard Cohen classic 'Hallelujah' is such a song. Crazily enough, that heartfelt, transcendent song had to travel a long, steep, winding, obstacle-filled road to reach the public and become the phenomenal hit it is today. In fact, it only became the iconic ballad modern audiences know—and a key song in the soundtrack of the movie Shrek—decades after it was originally conceived and recorded.Learn how, against all odds and many roadblocks, Cohen’s (and others’) dedication and belief in the magic of this song, kept it alive and kicking for years until it became the 'Hallelujah' we know, love, and listen to today. The Winding Road of Creation(Getty)You might think that any fantastic song would naturally be appreciated from the get-go, but that’s just not always the case. There is no better example of this truth than the story of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah.' Today, 'Hallelujah' is revered, and is one of the most covered songs of all time.Before a song can seep into the public consciousness and impact us, it has to get imagined, written, produced, played, and released out into the world. In other words, it needs to get heard—and enjoyed—by a lot of people.The creative process is a tricky thing. Sometimes, when musicians create a song, it flows easily, words quickly scribbled on paper (or typed) soon becoming fully formed lyrics begging to be sung. Other times, the refrains might not come so naturally. There may be a long struggle to turn the words into the final piece that the musicians are happy with. Often, the songwriting dance may fall somewhere in between, with the songwriter mixing moments of inspiration with the hard work of playing around with the words until, finally, they sound—and feel—just right.Whether or not the initial concept for a song comes quickly, typically, lots of trial and error and tweaking of a phrase here or there go into finding the lyrics that work best. Playing a song live can also help to inform this creative tinkering. Once the song is “done,” there’s still more work to complete.Next, comes the process of getting their creation out into the world. This, too, can be a simple process, say by playing the song at a show or putting it up on the Internet for all to hear. It’s not always that easy, though. Much determination—and luck—is often required for a song to break through and reach critics, music industry executives, and fans. In fact, many amazing songs may never reach the ears that might love to hear (and sing along with) them. And, even for songs that do get produced and listened to, it can still take lots of time and effort—even if it’s a really great song—to get the recognition they deserve. The Unbelievable Rejection (And Redemption) Of Leonard Cohen’s 'Hallelujah'(Getty)Leonard Cohen was already an established, successful musician with many hits to his name when he started writing what became 'Hallelujah.' Regardless, the Canadian folk legend had trouble even getting his album that had the song 'Hallelujah' on it released. But way before that he had an even tougher time writing the song itself.In fact, Cohen worked on the song for over 5 years, ultimately creating over 60 versions of the powerful song. The songwriter, who was also a poet and novelist, created music for over 40 years. The idea of 'Hallelujah' came to him in the late 1970s but when he first started working on it, the words just didn’t feel right. But, luckily, Cohen believed in the concept of the song, so he just kept tinkering with it, moving lyrics in and out, taking a break from it now and again. Then, returning to it, over and over.Finally, after years of editing and rewriting, Cohen was happy with the song. He put it in his 1984 album Various Positions. However, when he brought it to his label, CBS, the head of the record company, American music industry icon Walter Yetnikoff, passed on the album. Yetnikoff rejected it, not because he didn’t like the music, but because he didn’t think it would sell. He suggested that Cohen abandon 'Hallelujah' (and the rest of the music on the album) and make something more commercial instead. However, Cohen was undeterred and set about making sure the music was released. He was convinced that 'Hallelujah' was a great song and that all his efforts on this album had created music worth getting out into the world. So, instead of giving up on this endeavor, Cohen decided to try his luck elsewhere and took the album to another label. Ultimately, Various Positions landed at a small, independent label called Passport Records. The record was released to the public in 1984 and he performed 'Hallelujah' and other songs from the album to crowds on his 1985 tour. However, the song failed to become a colossal hit—at least right away. In fact, his original recording of the song did not thrill listeners or critics. Still, Cohen was steadfast in his belief in the song, and kept on working on it. He tried out various big and small changes to the song, including tweaking various verses, whittling them down, adding new and old lines, rewriting whole sections, lengthening the song, slowing it down, speeding it up, and making it darker. Jeff Buckley, Shrek, and the Unexpected Rise of 'Hallelujah'(Getty)Cohen also kept playing the song at some of his shows. And as luck would have it, Welsh rock star John Cale of the Velvet Underground, attended Cohen's concert in 1990 and heard the Canadian singer perform 'Hallelujah.' Cale fell in love with the song that night and was so taken by it that he talked to Cohen about recording his own take on the ballad. Cohen agreed and sent him the lyrics. But not only that, Cohen shared 15 pages of various versions of the song for Cale to pick through. And that he did!Cale used this wealth of material to create his 1991 cover of 'Hallelujah,' a reimagining of the song as a melancholy piano ballad. He later said that he focused on “the cheeky parts,” folding sections of old and new variations of the song into his version. Cale retained many of the biblical references, some of which Cohen had dropped from his newer incarnations of the song. Cale’s version got some traction, but not much. It took ten years more years for Cale’s 'Hallelujah' to be featured in 2001’s Shrek. Before that, it ended up on a relatively obscure 1991 French compilation album called I’m Your Fan: the Songs of Leonard Cohen, which included covers of Cohen’s songs done by multiple artists. At the time, that album didn’t get much mainstream attention. However, up-and-coming musician Jeff Buckley ended up listening to it and was quite enthralled by Cale’s cover of 'Hallelujah.' So much so that Buckley decided to do his own version and started playing the song during his performances. Soon enough, an executive from Columbia Records heard Buckley play 'Hallelujah' and was impressed enough to give him a record deal. They then set about producing Buckley’s 1994 debut Grace, which featured Buckley’s cover of 'Hallelujah.'Again, at the time it was released, the record and song didn’t get a ton of mass appreciation. Sadly, it wasn’t until 3 years later in 1997, after Buckley drowned while swimming in a river, that his cover of 'Hallelujah' began to get noticed. Buckley’s death prompted much more attention toward his music. Soon, critics and audiences were listening to his version of the song in droves. And Buckley’s talent and the genius of 'Hallelujah' were finally recognized for the poignant beauty they embodied. In 2001, 'Hallelujah' was featured in the movie "Shrek," and totally blew up. Critics and fans alike went back to Cale and Cohen’s versions with new, more appreciative ears. Many other musicians started doing their own covers of the song, including Willie Nelson, Brandie Carlile, Rufus Wainwright, k.d. Lang, and Avril Lavigne. In addition to Shrek, 'Hallelujah' has been included in many prominent media projects such as The Watchman, The West Wing, The House, ER, and The OC. And streaming platforms have dozens of versions of the song sung by famous and obscure musicians for your listening pleasure.What 'Hallelujah' Teaches Us About Rejection and Persistence Ultimately, it took nearly 20 years for 'Hallelujah' to reach a wide audience, and several more for it to become famous, due to its inclusion in the movie Shrek. The slow but persistent path of “Hallelujah” marched steadfastly from its early inception as whispers of verse in Cohen’s mind.Determination in the face of rejection kept the song going. The story of this soulful song shows us that with persistence, talent, and belief in your dream, success may be just around the corner. Getting what you want may not always be easy, but just because it doesn’t happen right away, doesn’t mean it won’t happen in the future. It took years and years for the genius of 'Hallelujah' to be recognized for what it was. It took the right people hearing and singing the song for it to get the momentum it needed. It also took luck, coincidence, and hard work. Likewise, putting in the necessary effort and weathering and overcoming any obstacles in your way is key to achieving any dream you have. You might feel miles away from reaching your goal or even that it’s impossible. But if you believe in the idea or the project, trusting it’s worth the effort can help you put in the time and attention that’s needed for the concept to come to fruition. (Getty)The movie Shrek is what finally catapulted 'Hallelujah' to massive fame, but the power of Cohen, Cale, and Buckley’s great work are what enabled that to happen in the first place. This captivating song is a reminder that immediate success and rewards are not always the ideal barometer of quality or worthiness. And when you’ve got talent and grit on your side, sticking with your endeavors matters, and putting in the hard work that’s needed invariably pays off in the end.