There's a lot to be said about positive thinking, but during the everyday grind, it gets hard to find

optimism 24/7. The stressors of work, relationships and life in general can take a toll. That's why it's
often a great idea to look to outside sources for motivation to help you keep the flame of positivity
fired up inside yourself. That's where our list of the very best inspirational quotes comes in. These
short, powerful and (sometimes) funny sayings will give you the dose of inspiration you need to
tackle anything that comes your way this year.

Below, you'll find a list of inspirational words of wisdom from people — powerhouse actors,
musicians and authors — who have experienced a lot of ups and downs, but still managed to grab
some insight through it all to share with the world. From Michelle Obama to Demi Lovato, these
positive affirmations from your favorite celebrities will uplift you, empower you and get you ready
for the next chapter in your life.

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Amanda Gorman

"There is always light. If only we're brave enough to see it. If only we're brave enough to be it."

inspirational quotes

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Cicely Tyson

"I have learned not to allow rejection to move me."

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Gabrielle Union
"Don't save your best for when you think the material calls for it. Always bring your full potential to
every take, and be on top of your job, or they will replace you."

inspirational quotes

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Lupita Nyong'o

"You can't rely on how you look to sustain you, what sustains us, what is fundamentally beautiful is
compassion; for yourself and your those around you."

inspirational quotes

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Madam C.J Walker

"Don't sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them."

inspirational quotes

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Michelle Obama

"One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what
somebody else says distract you from your goals."

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inspirational quotes

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Simone Biles

"Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that's when you're more successful.
You have to choose to do it."
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Elaine Welteroth

"When your dreams are bigger than the places you find yourself in, sometimes you need to seek
out your own reminders that there is more. And there is always more waiting for you on the other
side of fear."

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Taraji P. Henson

"I don't harp on the negative because if you do, then there's no progression. There's no froward
movement. You got to always look on the bright side of things, and we are in control. Like, you
have control over the choices you make."

best inspirational quotes

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Viola Davis

"All dreams are within reach. All you have to do is keep moving towards them."

william james inspirational quote that reads act as if what you do makes a difference it does

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William James

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

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Winston Churchill inspirational quote

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Winston Churchill

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.

Helen Keller inspirational quote

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Helen Keller

Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.

Zig Ziglar inspirational quote

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Zig Ziglar

What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your
goals.

Theodore Roosevelt inspirational quote

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Theodore Roosevelt

Believe you can and you're halfway there.

RELATED: Life Quotes That'll Motivate You to Take That Next Step
Carol Burnett inspirational quote

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Carol Burnett

When you have a dream, you've got to grab it and never let go.

Jimmy Dean inspirational quote

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Jimmy Dean

I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

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Demi Lovato inspirational quote

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Demi Lovato

No matter what you're going through, there's a light at the end of the tunnel.

William James inspirational quote

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William James

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its
successful outcome.
Albert Einstein inspirational quote

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Albert Einstein

Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Ella Fitzgerald inspiration quote

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Ella Fitzgerald

Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there is love and inspiration, I
don't think you can go wrong.

RELATED: Love Quotes That Will Melt Your Heart

Amy Poehler inspirational quote

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Amy Poehler

Limit your "always" and your "nevers."

Audrey Hepburn inspirational quote

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Audrey Hepburn

Nothing is impossible. The word itself says "I'm possible!"

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C.S. Lewis inspirational quote

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C.S. Lewis

You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.

Maya Angelou rainbow inspirational quote

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Maya Angelou

Try to be a rainbow in someone else's cloud.

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Camilla Eyring Kimball inspirational quote

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Camilla Eyring Kimball

You do not find the happy life. You make it.

Deep Roy inspirational quote

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Deep Roy

Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you're positive, good things
happen.

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Dr. Seuss inspirational quote

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Dr. Seuss

Sometimes you will never know the value of a moment, until it becomes a memory.

E. E. Cummings inspirational quote

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E. E. Cummings

The most wasted of days is one without laughter.

RELATED: Friendship Quotes to Dedicate to Your One and Only Bestie

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Eleanor Roosevelt inspirational quote

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Eleanor Roosevelt

You must do the things you think you cannot do.

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Ella Fitzgerald

It isn't where you came from. It's where you're going that counts.

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George Eliot

It is never too late to be what you might have been.

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Hafez

Stay close to anything that makes you glad you are alive.

RELATED: Family Quotes That'll Remind You How Blessed You Are

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Jennifer Lopez

You get what you give.

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Hazrat Inayat Khan

Some people look for a beautiful place. Others make a place beautiful.
RELATED: Beach Quotes to Instantly Put You at Ease

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John Barrymore

Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open.

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Joseph Campbell

We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us.

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Jim Rohn

Happiness is not by chance, but by choice.

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Lindsey Vonn

Life changes very quickly, in a very positive way, if you let it.

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Helen Keller

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

RELATED: Summer Quotes That'll Make You Feel Like You're on Vacation

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Mae Jemison

Never limit yourself because of others’ limited imagination; never limit others because of your own
limited imagination.

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Mahatma Gandhi

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

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Malala Yousafzai

Let us make our future now, and let us make our dreams tomorrow's reality.

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Mandy Hale

You don't always need a plan. Sometimes you just need to breathe, trust, let go and see what
happens.

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Martin Luther King Jr.

If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.

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Maya Angelou

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive.

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Meghan Markle

You are enough just as you are.

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Michael Altshuler

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot.
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Mother Teresa

Spread love everywhere you go.

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Walt Whitman

Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Walt Disney

The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.

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DANIELLE CARSON

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Rob Siltanen

People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Light tomorrow with today!

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DANIELLE CARSON

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Jack Canfield

For every reason it’s not possible, there are hundreds of people who have faced the same
circumstances and succeeded.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Dr. Henry Link

We generate fears while we sit. We overcome them by action.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Franklin D. Roosevelt

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Edith Wharton

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Rosa Parks

Memories of our lives, of our works and our deeds will continue in others.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Warren Buffett

Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.

DANIELLE CARSON

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Robert H. Schuller

Today’s accomplishments were yesterday’s impossibilities.

YAA BOFAH Editorial Fellow

Yaa Bofah is an editorial fellow at Good Housekeeping.

LARRY STANSBURY Freelance Writer

Larry Stansbury is a freelance writer.