William Wallace, the courageous hero in the movie, Braveheart, fearlessly exclaimed, “Every man dies, but not every man really lives.”
A great life is not shaped by one remarkable feat or success, but by a collection of decisions grounded in your core values. Your moral compass charts your course and inspires you to make choices – even when you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or stuck.
So, how do you move forward when you’re not sure what to do next? Where can you find inspiration when the light within you feels dim?
Movies have a dynamic power to transform us. The visual lessons within a movie often inspire us to take action in our personal lives. Whether it’s by moving us to tears or giving us courage to persevere forward, we sometimes unexpectedly find the inspiration we need on the big screen.
The memorable lines from extraordinary movie characters continue to offer unforgettable inspiration and hope – especially when you most need it:
Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out? – Ian Wallace, What a Girl Wants
All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us. – Gandalf, Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
If it’s worth it, fight for it! – William Wallace, Braveheart
The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all. – Mulan, Mulan
Oh yes, the past can hurt. But, you can either run from it or learn from it. – Rafiki, The Lion King
It’s what you do right now that makes a difference. – Sgt. Jeff Struecker, Black Hawk Down
Carpe diem. Seize the day! – John Keating, Dead Poets Society
Do or do not. There is no “try.” – Yoda, The Empire Strikes Back
No excuses. – Erin Gruwell, Freedom Writers
With great power comes great responsibility. – Ben Parker, Spiderman
What we do in life echoes in eternity. – Marcus Aurelius, Gladiator
The world is your oyster. It’s up to you to find the pearls. – Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness
It is not our abilities that show what we truly are. It is our choices. – Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The ancient Egyptians had a beautiful belief about death. When their souls got to the entrance to heaven, the guards asked two questions. Their answers determined whether they were able to enter or not. “Have you found joy in your life?” “Has your life brought joy to others?” – Carter Chambers, The Bucket List
Fear makes you a prisoner. Hope can set you free. – Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, Shawshank Redemption
Don’t let anyone ever make you feel like you don’t deserve what you want. – Patrick Verona, 10 Things I Hate About You
Only if you find peace within yourself will you find true connection with others. – The Palm Reader, Before Sunrise
Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he? – Clarence, It’s a Wonderful Life
I know what I have to do now. I’ve got to keep breathing because tomorrow the sun will rise. Who knows what the tide could bring? – Chuck Noland, Cast Away
Your insistence to hang on to mistakes or misfortunes in the past serves no one and no purpose. You can start over and chart a new course whenever and however you want to. Begin today. Right now.
“After all,” said Scarlett O’Hara in the movie, Gone With the Wind, “tomorrow is another day!”
What would you do today if you could erase the past and start over?
Tune out old negative thoughts. Discover how to Replace Old Tapes with New Messages.
Get clear about what you want. Write a Personal Purpose Statement.
Use these tips from How to Create SMART Personal Goals to move forward in a new direction.