A Month of Inspirational Quotes inspired by Travel and Nature- February

“It’s not the mountains we conquer but ourselves.” – Sir Edmund Hillary

I was drawn to mountaineering because of the clarity it brought: the opening of a window into my mind that I found nowhere else. Mountains, for me, were never about counting summits or “peak bagging”. They were about feeling free and finding peace in my soul. Where do you go to find peace?

Enjoy this month’s quotes and some of my favorite pictures from my travels.

“I love the places that make you realize how small you and your problems are.” – Anonymous

Nature has a way of making us humble with it’s beauty and power. It can help redefine the way we view our lives and the way we see our problems. Sometimes, it even has the ability to make those problems simply drift away.

“I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” – Eric Roth

This quote inspires me to think about how I truly want to live life, and then make it happen. It reminds me that the world, and the people and places within it, have so much to offer. Life should be filled with excitement and adventure. Find your adventure.

“Only those who risk going too far will know how far they can go.” – T. S. Eliot

When we gather up the courage to push beyond our perceived limits, we often find that there is much more that we are still capable of achieving.  To find our edge and know how much we can truly do, we must push past those feelings of comfort and ease.  When we do, dreams we never thought possible can become reality.

“It’s time to remember what its like to feel alive.” – Anonymous 

It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day: following our routines and trying to get through. The sense of adventure slowly fades to the background and monotony takes center stage. Stop for a moment and remind yourself what makes you feel alive. Now go do it.

“You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” – Sue Fitzmaurice

We have no way of knowing all that the world holds or where we feel most alive within it, until we go out and explore it. Home is a beautiful place to be and to find comfort, but a good adventure is where we learn all that we can be.

“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.”  – Vincent van Gogh

Those who have a love for nature see beauty that goes beyond the grand views. They see the beauty in the subtleties and rhythms in nature; they find beauty in the quiet and the solitude; they understand that beauty is everywhere and in everything.  Where do you see beauty in nature?

“We travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us.” – Anonymous 

So often, I hear travel, especially travel that is extensive, referred to as being an attempt to escape from day-to-day life.  Rather, I see travel as a way to enhance our lives and to make each day more fulfilled.  What we gain and learn through travel is unparalleled. 

“I am like a waterfall, wild and free.” – Anonymous 

The power within each of us is amazing.  Let the power and beauty within yourself flow freely and uninhibited. 

“Leave the road, take the trails.” – Pythagoras 

Roads are built for ease and speed, and, at times, that is what we need. But there are other times, likely more than we realize, when leaving the comfort of the road for the peace and beauty of the silent trail is what will bring fulfillment to the soul.

“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I intended to be.” – Douglas Adams

The Universe will shift. This phrase was told to me on the porch of a little pizzeria on a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific that soon became one of my favorite places in the world. That phrase reminds me that while you may have one plan, the Universe will always adjust to get you where you truly need to go. Such as, the porch of a little pizzeria…

“We live in a wonderful world full of beauty, charm, and adventure.”  – Jawaharial Nehru 

How inspiring think of life in these terms: beauty, charm, and adventure. It reminds me of all that is good in the world and all the possibilities that are out there.  What do you see that is beautiful, charming, and adventurous in the world? 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

We are forever pushing off our dreams and the small adventures of the day with the excuse that we are too busy or that we will do it another day.  But the adventure is here today and our dreams are meant to be lived. Live your adventures.

“In the woods is perpetual youth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hidden away in the forest are our dreams of childhood.  Take a walk through those forests and you are sure to feel that carefree spirit again, lose yourself in your daydreams, and find a smile spreading across your face.

 

“The most wasted of days is one without laughter.” – e.e.cummings

Laughing at least once each day seems like an easy goal, and yet, so often the days slip by and we wonder, “when was the last time I laughed?” Lighten your spirit and those around and give yourself the freedom to smile wide and laugh. 

“In the woods is perpetual youth.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

In the woods, it is easy to get lost in the magic of our imaginations.  Perhaps we see a sparkle in the sunlight streaming through the branches or hear a song in the breeze? Or perhaps, we see the rocks come to life…

“Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh unconrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile.” – Mark Twain

This quote inspires me to re-look at how I spend my time and live my days. It makes me want to throw caution to the wind and see just how amazing life can be.  Listen to your heart and live life with no regrets. Be amazing.

“Nature is one of the most underutilized treasures. It has the power to unburden hearts and reconnect to that inner place of peace.” – Janice Anderson 

When I step into nature, whether it is the forest, the mountains, the ocean, the desert, I feel myself slow down and my mind begin to clear.  I feel myself connect to that part of me that gets hidden in the hecticness of the day.  Where do you go to quiet down and find your inner peace?

“By discovering nature, you discover yourself.” – Maxime Lagace

By taking time to slow down and immerse yourself in nature, you give yourself the time to look inward, as well. As we look inward, without judgment, we begin to see who we truly are and all the beauty we hold. The beauty in nature brings out the beauty in ourselves.

“Within nature lies the cure for humanity.” – Anonymous 

If every person could spend time out in nature each day, quietly removed from the intensity of our social and political worlds, would the peace and calm that nature instills in our souls run over into the places where anger and frustration grow?  I think it’s worth a try. 

“Imagine your life is perfect in every respect. What would it look like?” – Brian Tracy

If you could have everything in life exactly as you want it, what would that include? What would you do? Who would be close to you? And, what would you let go of that is holding you back? Remember back to the innocence of childhood. What were your dreams?

“Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” – Hans Christian Anderson 

It’s easy to rush through life, trying to get to the next big moment or just to get to the next day. But, when we rush or always look ahead to the future, we miss out on the beauty and happiness in the world that is happening in the here and now. Take time to be in the moment; to soak in the sunshine and smell the flowers.

“By discovering nature, you discover yourself.” – Maxime Lagace

As we spend time in nature, especially when we stretch our comfort levels and leave the convenience of modern life behind, we begin to see the strengths and resources we hold within ourselves.  Nature inspires us to go a little further into the unknown, both in the world and in ourselves.

“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” – Frank Lloyd Wright

In these times of uncertainty and unpredictability, it is reassuring to know that the beauty and solace of nature is steadfast. As long as we protect it, live in harmony with it, and maintain respect for it, nature will always be there as a place to refresh our spirits and find true happiness.

“The world owes us nothing. It was here first.” – Mark Twain 

It is easy to blame the world around us for the challenges we created in our lives. Instead, let’s show gratitude for all the world provides for us.

“There is some infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night and spring after winter.” – Rachel Carson 

Routines give us predictability and predictability gives the security to be spontaneous, adventurous, and to pursue our dreams. Nature is filled with routines and rhythms. It gives us both stability and, therefore, the platform for adventure.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller

The beauty within us and the beauty we feel for others surpasses anything we can find elsewhere. Find the love within you and send it out to those who are important to you and remember to save some for yourself, as well. 

“And then there is the most dangerous of all – the risk of spending your life not doing what you want on the bet you cam buy yourself freedom to do it later.” – Randy Komisar

Too often we are pressured into the false belief that we must work hard today to earn our dreams for later. But life happens today. We must find a way to do what we love and live our dreams today, while still preparing for a fulfilling future. Our futures are brighter when we live each day with happiness. 

Hope you enjoyed! Go be inspired by the world around you and the beauty within it.