Sometimes things don’t go our way — and when that happens, it can be difficult to find the silver lining in the dark cloud that seems to follow us around. It may feel like the entire universe is against us, or like we can’t do anything right, no matter how hard we try. It’s important to acknowledge and honor those feelings of frustration, disappointment, and grief, and to give ourselves compassion and time to cope. But it’s also important to remember that we’re not alone in those feelings, and that no one’s life goes perfectly all the time.
Reframing our mindset or recalibrating our expectations can help us move forward, even if doing so takes us down a different path. Research suggests that redirecting our negative thoughts is good for our health and may also enhance our problem-solving skills — which can help us tackle other roadblocks and detours in the future.
So if things aren’t going your way right now and you need a boost of good cheer until a better day comes along, we hope these quotes help put things in perspective.
Even the best cooks were saucepan throwers when the soufflé collapsed.Kerry Greenwood
One of the things I learned the hard way was that it doesn’t pay to get discouraged. Keeping busy and making optimism a way of life can restore your faith in yourself.Lucille Ball
We don’t always succeed in what we try — certainly not by the world’s standards — but I think you’ll find it’s the willingness to keep trying that matters the most.Fred Rogers
Our anger and annoyance are more detrimental to us than the things themselves which anger or annoy us.Marcus Aurelius
Life is messy. Would that every puzzle piece fell into place, every word was kind, every accident happy, but such is not the case. Life is messy.Christopher Moore
Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do. Where there’s love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.Ella Fitzgerald
We may stumble and fall, but shall rise again; it should be enough if we did not run away from the battle.Mahatma Gandhi
Rain is grace; rain is the sky condescending to the earth; without rain, there would be no life.John Updike
Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent.Marilyn vos Savant
All of old. Nothin else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.Samuel Beckett
I’ve always believed that you should never, ever give up and you should always keep fighting even when there’s only a slightest chance.Michael Schumacher
Keep trying. It’s only from the valley that the mountain seems high.Zig Ziglar
[My life is] about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next.Gilda Radner
Where you stumble, there lies your treasure.Joseph Campbell
Featured image credit: Dmitry Demidovich/ Shutterstock
