A Month of Quotes, Inspired by Nature and Travel – April

As we move through the year, I am finding a great sense of gratitude in reading the beautiful and inspirational words written by others. I do hope that you enjoy these quotes, inspired by nature and travel, as well as the photographs from around the world that have been paired with them, as much as I do.

“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.” – Edward Abbey

No matter the path we take in life, no matter how long or winding, may we ultimately find ourselves in the places of our dreams. It may take hard work to get there and the path may not always be straight, but if we hold fast to our dreams, we will always reach them.  

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” – Dr. Suess

There is only one you in this world. No one else can fill the space you were meant to illuminate and nothing else can replace your light. Show the world your true self and be uniquely you. Always.

“Security is mostly superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller 

We can either live our life to the fullest, with all the uncertainty and unpredictability that it brings, or we can sit back and watch life pass us by, for the fear that something may go wrong.  Take charge of life and live it fully.  

“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

When we have the courage to dream, we can imagine wonderful things. When we have the courage to make our dreams come true, we can live wonderful lives. 

“Some old-fashioned things, like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder 

There are aspects of nature that will always and forever bring us happiness and peace and recharge our spirits. Modern technology can be entertaining and convenient, but it doesn’t fill our souls like fresh air and sunshine.

“Nature doesn’t hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” – Lao Tzu

The modern world has a focus on speed: work faster, do more, go and go. But, when we move at this fast pace, we miss out on the subtle aspects of life around us and the beauty of nature.  We shouldn’t rush through life.  There is time to accomplish all of our dreams while moving at a calm and peaceful pace.

“The afternoon knows what the morning never expected.” – Unknown 

The world is full of unexpected moments and opportunities. We cannot know what the future holds, so never doubt that doors may open that you never knew thought were possibilities.  Keep your mind and heart open.  

“Going to the mountains is going home.” – John Muir

Home is where your heart is and my heart is certainly in the mountains, as well as the beach, forest, ocean, and on and on.  Where does your heart lie? Where is your home away from home? 

 

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead

When people open their hearts for a cause and commit their dedication to change, the possibilities are endless. Don’t be overwhelmed by the size of the inequity or problem, but rather focus on the positive impact finding solutions will have.

4/15 “If you want to know the truth of who you are, walk until not a person knows your name. Travel is the great leveler, the great teacher, bitter as medicine, crueler than mirror-glass. A long stretch of road will teach you more about yourself than a hundred years of quiet.” – Patrick Rothfuss

When you travel to a place where no one knows you, you can cast aside the person the world knows you to be and be the person who you truly are. It’s interesting to then look and see how similar or different those two versions of you may be.

“Time spent amongst trees is never time wasted.” – Katrina Mayer

Make a point to find time to spend in nature. Don’t wait for that elusive free moment, far-off vacation, or simply another day. Try to find time to regularly sit, walk, or dance beneath the trees, next to a stream, or any place in nature that fills your soul.

“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt 

Some of the moments in life that brought me the greatest sense of happiness and satisfaction and most accurately define who I am came after a lot of work, challenge, and effort, which all started with believing that the adventure was even possible in the first place. Believe in yourself.

“I like this place and could willingly waste my time in it.” – William Shakespeare 

When we have places in the world around us where we can happily sit back and relax, then we are truly fortunate. And the most fortunate piece of this is that these places are all around us.  We just need to clear our minds and open our hearts and we will easily see them.

 

“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads.” – Anatole France 

Sometimes the destination is not the important part of the journey. Instead, it is the moments, views, and encounters along the way that hold the beauty and the magic. Let’s not always be in a hurry to get places, but rather take time to notice the beauty along the way.

“When was the last time you just closed your eyes and listened?” – Maxime Lagace

One of the most beautiful ways to experience the world around you is to focus in on one sense at a time.  Take a few moments to think about what you see, then close your eyes and focus only on what you hear, then on what you feel, and, finally, on what you smell.  This simple exercise can connect you more completely to the details of nature and make your experiences more meaningful.  Close your eyes and listen.

“A bad day camping is still better than a good day working.” – Unknown 

Waking up in nature, at the break of dawn, is one of the most perfect feelings.  Listening to the sounds of morning and watching the world wake up is inspiring to the soul. Take a break from work and make time for the things that inspire you.

“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson 

There is so much the world has to offer. Beautiful places. Interesting people.  Those of us with the traveler’s soul are drawn to the adventure. But we must remember that we will never find fulfillment in our wandering, if we do not first know contentment within ourselves.

“Whenever you are creating beauty around you, you are restoring your own soul.” – Alice Walker

By helping others and bringing beauty into the world, we not only make the lives of others happy, but we create more happiness within ourselves, as well. Find ways to give with grace and gratitude.

“Beauty begins the moment you decide to be yourself.” Coco Chanel 

You are never more beautiful than when you let your uniqueness shine and you own the traits that make you…you.

“Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama

The world is full of amazing and beautiful places. What better advice than to take the time to travel to new places and see as much as possible of what the world has to offer?