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41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart
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41 Daughter Quotes That Will Touch and Melt Your Heart

Having a daughter is undoubtedly a blessing. However, raising a girl with high self-esteem can be quite challenging. Between social media's filtered reality of perfect women and society's shifting expectations, parents face the daunting task of nurturing authentic self-worth in their daughters.These carefully selected daughter quotes help provide a starting point. They're simple reminders that whatever accomplishments you may have to date, raising a daughter is probably your biggest one.Let these words inspire you to nurture raise and nurture a daughter who defines herself through her strength, not by society's impossible standards. Offer genuine praise for their efforts, passions, and personal growth. This way, we’ll make sure our daughters understand their true value without looking for validation in a fashion magazine.Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on PexelsHeartwarming Quotes About DaughtersPhoto by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels“Mother and daughter never truly part, maybe in distance but never in heart.” – Unknown"Never grow a wishbone, daughter, where your backbone ought to be." -- Clementine Paddleford“Little girls are the nicest things that happen to people. They are born with a little bit of angelshine about them, and though it wears thin sometimes there is always enough left to lasso your heart.” -- Alan Beck"When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug, and everything that’s happened that day just melts away."-- Hugh JackmanGet the perfect gift for your daughter"A daughter is just a little girl who grows up to be your best friend.”-- Unknown"A daughter is a bundle of firsts that excite and delight, giggles that come from deep inside and are always contagious, everything wonderful and precious and your love for her knows no bounds." -- Barbara Cage"A daughter may outgrow your lap, but she will never outgrow your heart." - Unknown Photo by Picsea on Unsplash"Who can describe the transports of a beam truly parental on beholding a daughter shoot up like some fair and modest flower, and acquire, day after day, fresh beauty and growing sweetness, so as to fill every eye with pleasure and every heart with admiration?" -- George Fordyce"My daughter makes me laugh with her incredibly humorous take on the world. Everything makes her laugh, and I aspire to take in the world the same shoes she does."-- Unknown"To my beautiful daughter. If I could only give you one thing in this life, I would give you the ability to see yourself how I see you every single day. Your beauty, your kindness, how happy you make me and how proud I am of you. Perhaps then you would be able to understand just how special you are to me."-- Dave Hedges“Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.” -- Heather Gudenkauf"Death has its revelations: the great sorrows which open the heart open the mind as well; light comes to us with our grief. As for me, I have faith; I believe in a future life. How could I do otherwise? My daughter was a soul; I saw this soul. I touched it, so to speak."-- Victor HugoEmpowering Quotes About DaughtersPhoto by Pamela Buenrostro on UnsplashFrom world leaders to artists, parents across different walks of life share a common vision. These quotes celebrate raising fierce, independent girls who define their own paths."I never, ever grew up as a young woman believing that my gender would stand in the way of doing anything I wanted."-- Jacinda Ardern"Absolutely, I don't believe in rules. As I tell my daughter when she is mischievous, ‘Well-behaved women rarely make history."-- Nia Vardalos“And though she be but little, she is fierce.”-- William Shakespeare"I hope that my daughter grows up empowered and doesn't define herself by the way she looks but by qualities that make her a intelligent, strong and responsible woman."-- Isaiah Mustafa"I will let my daughter do whatever her heart wants. I will support her and guide her and give her all the knowledge that I have because I want her to succeed in whatever she loves."-- The Miz"We gotta start teaching our daughters to be somebodies instead of somebody's." - Kifah Shah Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels"What's important for my daughter to know is that... if you are fortunate to have opportunity, it is your duty to make sure other people have those opportunities as well." -- Kamala Harris"Women are in a position now to voice their opinion... women are getting empowered. The more power they get, the more voice they get to shift certain things around. Now I have a daughter, I understand. When I didn't have a daughter, I didn't understand." -- Snoop DoggFather-Daughter Quotes That Reveal Their Special Bond"We like to think we are so smart and we have all the answers. And we want to pass all that on to our children, but if you scratch beneath the surface you don’t have to dig very deep to find the kid you were.”-- Phil Dunphy“I thought I’d never be that annoying person, but as soon as Winnie was born, I was showing iPhone snaps to a cab driver.”-- Jimmy Fallon"Behind every great daughter is a truly amazing dad."-- UnknownPhoto by Ron Lach from Pexels"Every day is Father's Day to me when I'm with her: when I'll be able to hold my daughter and see her grow and see her smile. That's Father's Day to me every day."-- Saquon Barkley“It is admirable for a man to take his son fishing, but there is a special place in heaven for the father who takes his daughter shopping.”-- John Sinor"To a father growing old nothing is dearer than a daughter." - EuripidesPhoto by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels“Daddy, thanks for being my hero, chauffeur, financial support, listener, life mentor, friend, guardian and simply being there every time I need a hug."-- Agatha Stephanie Lin"No matter how old my daughter gets, she'll always be my baby girl." -- Anonymous@sofiarichiegrainge / instagram"Certain is it that there is no kind of affection so purely angelic as of a father to a daughter. In love to our wives there is desire; to our sons, ambition; but to our daughters, there is something which there are no words to express."-- Joseph Addison“Being a daddy’s girl is like having permanent armor for the rest of your life.” - Marinela RekaPhoto by Josh Willink on Pexels“They say that from the instant he lays eyes on her, a father adores his daughter. Whoever she grows up to be, she is always to him that little girl in pigtails. She makes him feel like Christmas. In exchange, he makes a secret promise not to see the awkwardness of her teenage years, the mistakes she makes or the secrets she keeps.”-- Unknown"Having a daughter makes you see things in a different way. This is my only girl. So I don't care what it takes to protect her. You can call it what you want to call it. As long as you treat her the same way I treat her, like my princess, I don't mind."-- Tracy MorganMoving Quotes About the Mother-Daughter RelationshipMother Daughter Quotes to remind you how special the mother daughter bond really is!Photo by leah hetteberg on Unsplash"The relationship between parents and children, but especially between mothers and daughters, is tremendously powerful, scarcely to be comprehended in any rational way." -- Joyce Carol Oates"A mother's treasure is her daughter."-- Catherine Pulsifer"Mothers and daughters together are a powerful force to be reckoned with." - Melia Keeton-DigbyPhoto by RODNAE Productions on Pexels"They both began to giggle and then... fell into a side-splitting round of laughter, the cleansing, complete sort of laughter only a mother and daughter can share." -- Karen Kingsbury“Having a little girl has been like following an old treasure map with the important paths torn away.” -- Heather Gudenkauf"I tell my daughter every morning, 'Now, what are the two most important parts of you?' And she says, 'My head and my heart'."-- Viola Davis“Find it within you to love exactly who you are and to know you’re capable, you’re loved and you’re beautiful. The world is a better place, because of you. You are unique because there is only ONE of you.”-- Shantel VanSanten"Having a daughter is God's way of saying, 'Here, thought you could use a lifelong friend'." -- Unknown"A mother is the only person in the world who can turn her daughter’s worries and fears into happiness."-- Anonymous"The thing I'm the most proud of in my personal life is that my daughter actually thinks that I'm fabulous."-- Brooke Shields"Our daughters are the most precious of our treasures, the dearest possessions of our homes and the objects of our most watchful love." -- Margaret E. Sangster"The more a daughter knows the details of her mother’s life… the stronger the daughter." -- Anita Diamant"I am not a perfect mother and I will never be. You are not a perfect daughter and you will never be. But put us together and we will be the best mother and daughter we would ever be.” -- Zoraida Pesante"A daughter Is a mother's best friend. Every time you smile, she loves you more; every time you laugh or cry, she cries too and every time you hold her close, she holds you tight."-- Anonymous“Life is tough, my darling daughter, but so are you.”-- Stephanie Bennet HenryQuotes for Parents Raising Teenage DaughtersPhoto by Any Lane from Pexels“All I know is that I carried you for nine months. I fed you, I clothed you, I paid for your college education. Friending me on Facebook seems like a small thing to ask in return.” -- Jodi Picoult“Little girls are cute and small only to adults. To one another they are not cute. They are life-sized.” -- Margaret Atwood"A daughter is a treasure and a cause of sleeplessness."-- Ben Sirach“Many a man wishes he were strong enough to tear a telephone book in half — especially if he has a teenage daughter.”-- Guy Lombardo"My daughter is the biggest gift; I've said it so many times and it sounds like a cliche, but the thing about being a parent is when you think you've cracked it, and you're on top of your game, they change again and you have to catch up and adjust. I feel such a responsibility to instill good values in her, to be polite, to have discipline."-- Geri Halliwell"I've come to understand that art is awesome and beautiful because it's a reflection of life - but it's just a reflection, and the real thing is my daughter."-- Chance the Rapper "Patience, my daughter, learn patience, and life will be easier." - Catherine PulsiferPhoto by Анастасия on Pexels"A daughter is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous... full of beauty and forever beautiful... loving and caring and truly amazing." -- Deanna Beisser"So, after much observation, I realized that our daughters needed the same things we lacked in our younger years… wisdom. Without wisdom we continue to blunder through life repeating the same mistakes." -- Laura Alexander"To my daughter: Never forget that I love you. Life is filled with hard times and good times. Learn from everything you can. Be the woman I know you can be." -- UnknownQuotes for When Your Little Girl Is All Grown Up“Missing someone is part of loving them. Not until you are apart do you realize how much they mean to you.”-- Nikhil Saluja“Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.”-- Terry Pratchett "Your daughter will remember when you sat for her to put makeup on you and braided her hair more than she will remember material gifts. These will be the memories she cherishes forever." -- Dotjay“The magic thing about home is that it feels good to leave, and it feels even better to come back.”-- Wendy Wunder“My wish for you is that this life becomes all that you want it to; your dreams stay big and your worries stay small; you never need to carry more than you can hold.”-- Rascal Flatts"It's a beautiful thing, watching another adult walking around out there in the world with my heart beating inside them."-- Anonymous

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.

Bob Marley’s Deepest Thoughts - And How They Will Help You Reach a Higher Level
Musicians

Bob Marley’s Deepest Thoughts - And How They Will Help You Reach a Higher Level

Bob Marley is revered around the world as arguably the pioneer of reggae music in the mainstream. This engaging sound evolved in the 1960s in Jamaica from a combination of local music, with elements of rock, soul, ska, and rhythm and blues. Marley helped bring reggae to a worldwide audience, thanks to his compelling lyrics and beats, as well as his dynamic and inspirational persona. RELATED: Bob Marley Quotes That Will Shift Your Perspective for the BetterSadly, his life was cut short by cancer, but his songs -- and his soul -- live on. Of particular appeal is the wisdom that’s often woven through the lyrics of his many hits. Read on to discover some of his greatest quotes, which still resonate powerfully today. These inspiring, contemplative lyrics share some of Marley’s most profound and inspirational thoughts. Learn what they mean and how they can help you reach a higher level.“The truth is, everyone is going to hurt you. You just have to find the ones worth suffering for.”Life is full of suffering — and love. Life is messy and relationships are complicated. People will make mistakes and disappoint us. But if we embrace that reality as inevitable, we can learn to appreciate it as a struggle we go through that will make us stronger, and bond us to those we love.We will make our own mistakes and disappoint others and ourselves, as well. However, if we surround ourselves with the people who will stand by our side, then we will prevail.“Some people feel the rain, others just get wet.”Our perspective is powerful, transformative, and key to a well-lived life. We can look at the rain as a bummer, a ruiner of our day. Or we can walk outside and feel the raindrops hit our skin -- and smile. We can watch the downpour and be inspired by the majesty of nature. RELATED: Bob Marley’s Life Story: How a Boy Rose from the Slums to Change the World with His MusicWe can run through the drizzle, not letting it stop us from our daily adventures, enjoying the way each drop hits our skin. We can revel in the flowers that will surely bloom after the rain has stopped. Truly experiencing our world and looking at things beyond the surface gives us a deeper resonance with life. And focusing on the positive makes each day better.“None but ourselves can free our minds.”All too often, it’s easy to blame others for our own issues and roadblocks. We can become complacent, disgruntled and accepting of things we don’t really want to accept. Instead, take responsibility for your own life, your own mind, your own heart. Question things that don’t make sense to you. Think about your life, your community and your world. How do you fit into it right now? Consider how you might like to fit into the world, or reshape it to better fit you. While it can feel comfortable to let others make key choices for you or do your thinking for you, be brave and abandon that comfort where you can. Take on the role of director in your own life. Free your own mind to take ownership of the life you live.“Love the life you live. Live the life you love.”Wake up to the choices you are making in your life. Become more aware of where you might be complacent or unquestioning. What are you keeping in your life that doesn’t serve you? What can you change that would bring more joy, ease, and love into your days? RELATED: Nina Simone’s Most Inspirational Quotes about Life and LoveLiving a life you love is a purpose to pursue. The flip side of truly loving the life you have is equally as powerful. It tells you to make peace with the practicalities of the life you have and to love that, even if every bit isn’t “perfect.” Yes, change what you can and go for your dreams, but also accept what is real for you. Love yourself and your life as it is — and go from there.“Better to die fighting for freedom than be a prisoner all the days of your life.” This quote can be looked at literally as inspiration and support for those vying for freedom. But it can also be applied to anyone’s life. Yes, it speaks directly to putting yourself on the line and fighting against injustice when you are facing an impact on your freedoms (or those of others). It also inspires you to value yourself and know you are worth fighting for. But it also addresses, in a larger sense, the idea of living your life to the fullest and not letting others — or yourself — inhibit your ability to pursue your dreams. Rather than following along the expected path, this statement encourages you to break out of the box and challenge yourself to take on obstacles and challenges instead of being complacent.“Don’t worry about a thing, everything is gonna be alright.”This fabulous phrase serves as a reminder that given time, patience and faith, things usually turn out okay in the end. Trust and hope in the future can help us through even the darkest of times. While worry can alert us to problems and guide us to focus on looking for solutions, being in a perpetual state of high alert isn’t healthy or helpful. RELATED: Why Maya Angelou Stopped Speaking – and How She Found a Voice that Changed the WorldIn fact, the stress that can come with excess worry can be debilitating, physically as well as emotionally. These anxious feelings can often hold us back and keep us stuck in the doldrums. Letting go of our fears can set us free to move on. And clear our minds so that we can come up with creative solutions and a new, more positive perspective. “When one door is closed, don’t you know that many more are open?”This question begs us to see all the possibilities that are always all around us. Yes, sometimes we hit a dead end or obstacle that feels like an ending or failure, but there are always other opportunities or paths to follow. It’s easy to get bogged down or feel defeated when things don’t go our way or a setback happens. Even easier is to just give up because it can feel fruitless to keep trying.However, the truth is that for every missed opportunity or “door,” there are many others that we can seek and walk through if we just know to look for them. In fact, turning problems on their heads can lead to new beginnings, new ways of thinking, and new challenges to pursue.“Open your eyes, look within. Are you satisfied with the life you’re living?”This quote is all about self-reflection. This lyric asks us to live an examined life. Instead of just going with the flow and moving through your life blindly, start asking questions of yourself. Are you happy? Are you living the life you want to live? What would you like to change about your life? Are there changes you can make that would give you more fulfillment and put you closer to the path you want to be on? Does the way you are living align with your goals and values? RELATED: 38 Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Life’s ChallengesDon’t be satisfied with just the surface answers either. Go deeper than a simple yes, no, or maybe. Dig in and ponder the why, when, and hows of your life plan. Be brave enough to shake things up and try new things if your life is not on the track you want it to be on.

Nina Simone's Most Inspirational Quotes about Life and Love
Musicians

Nina Simone's Most Inspirational Quotes about Life and Love

Nina Simone lived a complicated life filled with incredible successes. At the same time, it was one just as punctuated with difficulties and lows. Music was the one constant throughout her life, however, and during her decades-long career, Simone released over 30 incredible albums. She continued recording new material and performing until her death in 2003. In 2019, she was inducted into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. RELATED: 25 Maya Angelou Quotes To Inspire Your LifeHer recognizable melodies and powerful lyrics have withstood the test of time and she’s regularly been called a genius. Indeed, if you listen closely to her songs, you’ll find they aren’t just great tracks — they’re opportunities for learning. Simone penned a treasure trove of empowering, thought-provoking lyrics, and her interviews have also gifted us with timeless mantras. Here are some of Simone’s most inspirational quotes about life and love. “You’ve got to learn to leave the table when love’s no longer being served.”The very idea of having to heal after a breakup can be enough to dissuade you from leaving a relationship that has run its course. It can sometimes feel so daunting that simply staying together feels like the easier (and safer) option. However, love alone isn’t always enough to make a union work and there can be a myriad of reasons why breaking up is necessary. RELATED: 20 Most Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. QuotesWhether it’s that you no longer feel heard, your needs aren’t being met, the spark has fizzled out or that you’ve grown in different directions, letting go of a union that is no longer fulfilling is ultimately the right thing to do for both parties. No matter how difficult it seems, if the relationship is no longer bringing you joy or pushing you to be the best version of yourself, you need to leave the table. Remember, tough situations can be just the catalyst you need to rediscover yourself. Take time to grieve, then embrace the opportunity to refocus on your goals, aspirations and needs. “I’ll tell you what freedom is to me: no fear. I mean, really, no fear.”We all experience fear and it’s often the thing that holds us back from seizing the moment and going after what we truly want. Whether it’s fear of failure that’s inhibiting your career or fear of heartbreak that’s stopping you from pursuing a relationship, fear can be the biggest obstacle you face on the path to self-fulfillment. The longer you focus on a fear, the bigger it grows and the stronger its hold becomes. As Dr. Robert Puff, Ph.D., wrote for Psychology Today, fear is normal because it’s meant to keep us safe; however, there are many cases in which it can be detrimental as it, “keeps us paralyzed, and keeps us from living to our fullest extent.” If you’re feeling stuck or unhappy, pushing through the fear and taking a leap of faith is the answer because breaking through those self-imposed restrictions is what true freedom is all about.“If you don’t tell them how you feel, you’re not going to get anywhere.”Open, honest communication is imperative to any successful relationship. Whether in your personal or professional life, if you don’t start with a solid foundation built on truth, things will grow shaky and eventually falter. RELATED: 38 Tupac Quotes to Help You Face Life’s ChallengesIt’s true that being completely transparent and vulnerable can be scary, but as Nina Simone tells us, overcoming fear is the only way to truly be free. Even if you worry others won’t agree with you or a potential partner won’t reciprocate your feelings, you shouldn’t hold back from speaking your truth. And you certainly shouldn’t alter your core values (or pretend to) simply for the sake of being liked or accepted. In order to live authentically, it’s imperative to tell others how you truly feel and respectfully accept their reaction for what it is: their truth. “I'm a real rebel with a cause.”Self-belief is incredibly powerful, and so is standing up for what you believe in. Yes, it can be hard to fight for what you know is right, but Nina Simone was a rebel with a cause and it’s what we should all strive to be. It’s a lesson similarly taught by Maya Angelou who showed us all that having a backbone in times of struggle means you’ll never experience failure. That’s because when you push for what you believe in, you’ll always find success through self-fulfillment. However, it’s important to note that simply rebelling for the sake of it is not the same thing. Your entire heart and all of your convictions need to be behind what you’re fighting for, then you’ll always be rewarded. Even if it’s not with the change you’d hoped for, at least you’ll be secure in the knowledge that you’ve done your part and tried to make the world a better place. “Let the wind blow through your heart.”Being open to the opportunities life throws at you is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out on the wonders and joys that are out there for the taking. This is especially true when it comes to searching for that elusive unconditional love. RELATED: 25 Wanda Sykes Quotes That Are Both Funny and InspirationalThe first step is allowing yourself to embrace the opportunities that come your way, no matter how vulnerable or fearful that may make you feel. Allow yourself to give in to love while embracing the fact that no one knows what the future holds and that opening your heart to someone else might not always pay off. In fact, it might even hurt sometimes, but the only way you’ll know for sure (and live without regrets) is by taking that chance. In other words, let the wind blow through your heart and see what happens. “You've got to learn [...] the way of pocketing your pride.”There is nothing wrong with feeling proud of your achievements, just don’t let pride cloud your judgment or your sensibility. It’s one thing to be open to praise and recognize yourself for a job well done, but don’t allow success to take over everything. Humility can go a long way and mastering the “quiet ego” is an important step on the journey to becoming the best possible you. Accept your wins and your losses equally and push aside the defensiveness that comes so naturally when you feel like you’ve failed. We all have our ups and downs and using the latter as an opportunity to learn rather than seeing it as a source of frustration won’t just make you happier, it will also make others feel more comfortable approaching you. That, in turn, will allow new relationships — and successes — to flourish.

20 Rihanna Quotes that Will Inspire You to Live Life on Your Own Terms
Musicians

20 Rihanna Quotes that Will Inspire You to Live Life on Your Own Terms

Robyn Rihanna Fenty — known to the world simply as Rihanna — is a singer, actress, and businesswoman. Since starting her music career, Rihanna has become a pop icon and received numerous awards and accolades for her work.The singer’s childhood was affected by her father’s alcohol and drug addiction and by her parents’ divorce. She struggled with extreme headaches for several years and singing served as an escape from all the tension.RELATED: Rihanna’s Transformation from Music Icon to Business Mogul Was A Long Time ComingAt the age of 16, Rihanna got the opportunity to pursue a career in music so she moved to the US and never looked back. She signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings and soon released her debut album, Music of the Sun, which proved to be a great success, reaching no. 10 on the Billboard albums chart.In 2017, Rihanna launched her own cosmetics brand, Fenty Beauty, which quickly became popular due to its broad inclusivity across skin types and tones. The brand was even named one of Time magazine's best inventions of 2017.A very successful artist with a fantastic voice and catchy songs, Rihanna is one of the best-selling artists of all time.If you're looking to Rihanna for some inspirational quotes, you've come to the right place.Here are 20 Rihanna Quotes That Will Inspire You to Live Life on Your Own Terms:"Let go of the things that make you feel dead! Life is worth living!""I stand up for what I believe in, and a lot of the time that can be against people’s opinions.""It’s tougher to be vulnerable than to actually be tough.""I don’t do things for the response or the controversy. I just live my life.""Sure, you wish you did some things differently. But there is no sense in becoming burdened with regret over things you have no power to change.""Keep your eyes on the finish line and not on the turmoil around you.""Don’t hide from who you are.""Nobody can understand what you’re feeling unless they burn the way you burned.""When you realize who you live for, and who’s important to please, a lot of people will actually start living. I am never going to get caught up in that. I’m gonna look back on my life and say that I enjoyed it – and I lived it for me.""You may never be good enough for everybody, but you will always be the best for somebody.""It’s only up from here, no downward spiral.""The minute you learn to love yourself you won’t want to be anyone else.""I think a lot of people are afraid of being happy because of what others might think.""You have to just accept your body. You may not love it all the way, but you just have to be comfortable with it, comfortable with knowing that that’s your body.""I believe everybody’s an individual. You can’t judge someone based on someone else’s actions.""I try my best to avoid the sharks of life, but I have had my share of experiences with them. But I do not swim with sharks … sharks swim with sharks.""Be a girl with a mind, a b**ch with an attitude, a lady with class.""Because tomorrow I’m still going to be the same person. I’m still going to do what I want to do.""When I see myself as an old woman, I just think about being happy. And hopefully, I’ll still be fly.""Settling is the worst feeling in the world."