To my present self! Memorable, uplifting words and the source of courage to change myself
There are moments in life when we encounter words that resonate with our hearts.
When we’re feeling down, they give us courage; when we’re lost, they serve as a guide.
Such memorable, uplifting words hold the power to change our lives.
In this article, we introduce carefully chosen quotes from great figures and famous people around the world—words that gently embrace your heart and encourage you to take a step forward tomorrow.
You’re sure to find a phrase that stays close to your heart.
To my present self! Memorable, uplifting words and the source of courage to change myself (1–10)
Some believe that clinging makes you stronger. But sometimes, letting go is what makes you strong.NEW!Hermann Hesse
Persevering without giving up in anything cultivates strong mental fortitude.
Yet sometimes, letting go itself can be what leads to strength.
That is what the writer Hermann Hesse tells us.
Letting go of something seems simple, but it is difficult.
If it is something precious, you will waver all the more.
Precisely because of that, if you can find the courage to decide to let it go, you will grow once again and become stronger.
This quote both makes us consider what we truly need and gently acknowledges and accepts the sorrow and pain of letting go.
Happiness is always decided by your own heart.Mitsuo Aida
Mitsuo Aida began his career as a technically skilled calligrapher, yet in his later years he left behind many poems that resonated so deeply he came to be known as a poet of life.
His famous saying, “Happiness is always decided by your own heart,” will likely touch those who tend to compare themselves with others.
Happiness is different for everyone, with no single right answer—and it certainly isn’t something to be compared.
Because no one can deny what happiness means to you, this quote teaches us to hold our heads high and live as our hearts lead.
Love is not about gazing at each other, but about looking together in the same direction.Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, a French novelist who also devoted himself to pioneering air routes as a pilot.
His famous quote, “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction,” seems to speak to the very essence of love.
At the beginning of a romance, feelings flare up and you can’t see anything but each other.
However, if you are to spend a long time together, you need to look toward the same future.
It’s a profound saying that could be seen as expressing the difference between romance and marriage.
Even if my life is a losing battle, I want to fight until the very end.Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh, a leading Post-Impressionist painter who left countless works such as sunflowers and self-portraits and had a profound impact on 20th-century art.
His famous words, “Even if my life is a losing battle, I want to keep fighting until the end,” resonate precisely because he led such a tumultuous life.
The message of staying true to oneself, even if one is never rewarded, conveys a sense of resolve toward the path one has chosen.
It’s a quote that people with dreams and goals should especially know.
There are no solutions in life. What exists in life is only a force in motion. We have to create that force. The solutions will follow afterward.Saint-Exupéry
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, the novelist who wrote The Little Prince, a work loved around the world.
Here is a passage from one of his masterpieces, Night Flight.
Life never goes backward.
As we keep moving forward, we must overcome many things.
However, moving forward requires effort.
He tells us that as we proceed through life by trial and error, we can find solutions to each of our problems.
If you’re troubled and have come to a standstill, try, above all, to take a step forward.
What I want to tell people around the world is to make an effort. If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.Cindy Ngamba
Here are some words I want to share with those striving toward their dreams and goals.
They come from Cindy Ngamba, the women’s 75 kg boxer.
Cindy Ngamba won a brilliant bronze medal at the Paris Olympics, becoming the first medalist from the Refugee Olympic Team.
“What I want to tell people around the world is to work hard.
If you put your heart into it, you can achieve anything.” These words apply not only to sports but to everything in our daily lives.
From her message, you can feel her strong will and the grueling effort she puts in day after day—a powerful quote that pushes forward everyone who strives.
Always be yourself, express yourself, and believe in yourself. Don’t imitate some successful person’s example.Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee, a martial artist and movie star, is famous for films like Enter the Dragon and The Way of the Dragon.
His quotes often jolt us into realization.
When you lack confidence and don’t know what to do, do you find yourself comparing with or imitating those who seem better? Mimicking others might calm your nerves, but people are people, and you are you.
Imitation doesn’t always work—no matter what, you can’t become someone else.
Since each of us has our own individuality, the best thing is to trust yourself and express yourself in your own way.
This quote reminds us of that important truth.
You can just be yourself.Mother Teresa
As we go about our days, we sometimes worry, wondering, “Is this really okay?” or “What should I do from here?” The future isn’t something we can see, so it’s only natural to feel uncertain.
But once we start worrying, we can get stuck in a negative loop that’s hard to escape.
In those moments, remember Mother Teresa’s words: “You just need to be yourself.” Your strengths and your flaws are all part of your uniqueness.
You don’t have to become someone else—living true to yourself is what matters most.
It’s a famous quote filled with a warm and encouraging message.
Children are beings of possibility. They have many choices every day. Actually, the same is true for adults.Hayao Miyazaki
It conveys a gentle message that everyone has many possible paths into the future.
We often say that children can “become anything” when they grow up.
But in truth, even as adults we can try new things and start over.
Regardless of age, every day is a series of choices, and the future changes depending on how we choose.
For example, starting a new hobby or beginning to study toward a dream are steps you can take today.
These words softly encourage us not to give up on our own potential.
I wonder what truly matters to me. Who are the people who are truly important to me? I feel like just sincerely pondering these two things is enough to lead a good life.Shigesato Itoi
It teaches us that happiness isn’t found outside, but within our own hearts.
When we’re always busy, we tend to get distracted by others’ opinions, money, and trends.
But simply pausing now and then to ask, “What truly matters to me?” gradually brings our way of living into alignment.
For example, if you decide you want to cherish time with your beloved family and friends, your actions will naturally start to change.
These words convey that facing your true feelings leads to a warmer, more fulfilling life.