Don't Settle

(my fortune:)

We all face obstacles in life. Whether those obstacles are big or small, we are all given choices in life. We can choose to chase after our dreams, we can choose to let something break us down, and we can choose to rise above and shine. If nothing else, we have the power to set out what path we want for ourselves. Nobody else in the world can do that for you.

It's not always easy. (Doesn't it always seem like the best things never are?) Sometimes we make the wrong choices. And that's okay. Sometimes we don't even know what we want yet. That's okay too. It'll come to you. Even if you veer off the path, don't let it discourage you. Work hard for what you want. And don't stop fighting until you get it.

Inspiration is everywhere if we're paying attention; art, people, history, stories, the city. But throughout my life, nothing has had the same impact quite like the power of words. I recently read this quote and it really stuck with me. I've found it incredibly encouraging whenever I've doubted myself and my own path.

“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
-Steve Jobs, 2005 Stanford Commencement Speech

Be positive. Smile often. Embrace change. Aim high. Work hard. Never, ever give up.

And remember...

Happy Wednesday, everyone! :)