Wit And Wisdom For A Wonderful 2014

Happy New Year, friends! There are few things I love more than a new year, so bright and shiny, full of exciting, unknown adventure and new opportunity. The beginning of the year is when we realize we get a chance to begin again, start anew with big ideas on how to spend the next 365 days. However, it is also right about.. NOW, just a couple weeks into that glorious fresh start we look so forward to, that we start to lose momentum. It’s actually kind of amazing and unfair how quickly that “new year, new you” feeling can wear off. So, if the weight of your resolutions is heavy on your shoulders or you live in parts of the country where seasonal depression is kicking in, I am here to lend a kind word. I can’t wave my magic wand and make this the best year yet but, I can offer up my favorite quotes to help inspire and carry you through whatever lies ahead. 2014, let’s do this!

In the coming year, I hope that you…

Find yourself inspired, not fearful. 

I am learning everyday to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me. –Tracee Ellis Ross

Love yourself. 

You either like me or you don’t. It took me twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don’t have that kind of time to convince somebody else. –Daniel Franzese

Allow your own applause to be enough.

Nothing has transformed my life more than realizing that it’s a waste of time to evaluate my worthiness by weighing the reaction of the people in the stands. –Brene Brown, Daring Greatly

Never settle.

There is no passion to be found in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. –Nelson Mandela

Cry less and dance more.

You can cry about it or you can dance about it. -Kid President

Find your passion.

If you can’t figure out your purpose, find your passion. For your passion will lead you right into your purpose. -T.D. Jakes

Keep company with only those who believe in you.

Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flames. –Rumi

Remember the possibilities are always endless.

Anything can happen child. Anything can be. –Shel Silverstein

Love someone despite the risk.

It is a risk to love. What if it doesn’t work out? Ah, but what if it does? -Peter McWilliams

Believe there is magic left in the world.

And above all watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” -Roald Dahl

Lose your mind- we’re all a little crazy anyway.

Sometimes following your heart means losing your mind. -Unknown

Do what you’re scared of, especially if you love it.

If it’s both terrifying and amazing then you should definitely pursue it.– Erada

Steal your own spotlight! 

Be strong. Be confident. Be the star of your own life. –Modern Muse

Stop thinking and just do.

Say yes and you’ll figure it out afterwards. –Tina Fey

Only do things you find to be amazing.

Don’t settle. Don’t finish crappy books. If you don’t like the menu, leave the restaurant. If you’re not on the right path, get off it. –Chris Brogan

Try something, learn many things and get out of your comfort zone.

Great people do things before they’re ready. They do things before they know they can do it. Doing what you’re afraid of, getting out of your comfort zone, taking risks like that- that is what life is. You might be really good. You might find out something about yourself that’s really special and if you’re not good, who cares? You tried something. Now you know something about yourself. –Amy Poehler

Spread kindness.

Kindness is always fashionable. –Amelia E Barr

Conveniently forget the opinions of others.

Spend a little more time trying to make something of yourself and a little less time trying to impress people. –The Breakfast Club

Become the person who cares the most. 

Give a damn. Give lots of damns. More damns than anyone. -Alexis Ohanian

Eat lots of cupcakes.

You’re a human being, you only live once and life is wonderful, so eat the damn red velvet cupcake. -Emma Stone

Keep fighting until you win.

You may have to fight a battle more than once to win it. -Margaret Thatcher

Occasionally give a little more than you get.

When you have a bad day, a really bad day, try and treat the world better than it treated you. –Patrick Stump

Always carry lip gloss.

Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched. -Mindy Kaling

Go all in.

Don’t do anything by half. If you love someone, love them with all your soul. When you go to work, work your ass off. When you hate someone, hate them until it hurts. –Henry Rollins

Make trouble.

Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women. -Nora Ephron

So much to say, so little time! I could go through quotes with you lovely people for days but, my true hope is that you found at least one wise word to hold tight to in the coming year, a quote to help inspire your adventures, lift your spirits and generally kick ass in 2014! As you head down your path of awesome, I leave you with a lovely sentiment borrowed from Neil Gaiman, my sincere wish for the days that await you…

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.

Lastly, and I promise this is it, a wise t-shirt once taught me that it is better to be someone’s shot of whiskey than everyone’s cup of tea. Cheers to a top shelf 2014!

Feature Image via Etsy.com.