What Matters Most

Life is all about experience, and understanding a variety of different “Ideas” that are associated with the meaning of why we live everyday as we do and for what. As we all have been through certain triumphs and tribulations in our lives, I have been moved by these quotes written by; Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Ralph Waldo Emerson is recognized as “One of America's most influential authors, philosophers, and thinkers.” A common phrase that may be easily recognized is, “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never being much into poetry, I found that this particular writer has always inspired me. Therefore, I wanted to share the relevance and meaningfulness with the people who are closest to me. In addition, I hope that one day Brayden will be able to refer to this particular list of quotes and reflect on the importance of each one.

Quotes:

"To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Finish every day and be done with it. You have done what you could; some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
— Ralph Waldo Emerson