23 Bits of Wisdom from My 23rd Year

Once again Hannah Katy at As Simple as That has inspired a birthday-week post here at The Sunset Won't.  She shared 22 pieces of wisdom she gained from 22 women over the last year.  I want the credit for this idea to go to her, even as I make it my own.  

So I sat down, and thought about the last year.  I looked back on quotes from various authors, actors, artists and leaders.  I found 23 to share as I approach my 24th birthday.

So here are pieces of absolute wisdom, from various women,that let me through my 'crazy, tragic, sometimes almost magic, awful, beautiful' last year of life.

Glinda the Good Witch: You've always had the power.  

Lori Wick: Found in Every Storm, I can't ask god why, until I'm willing to ask why not. 

Nora Roberts: Found in Bed of Roses, Feelings are feelings.  I don't understand why people blame other people for what they feel.  

Debbie Macomber: Aspire to inspire before you expire.  

Dee Henderson: Found in The Guardian, "Slip away and come watch the sunset."  She leaned her head back to look at him.  'There are more calls to finish.'  "Those will wait.  The sunset won't."

Diane Sawyer: It's not 'did you learn anything new today?' ...but rather 'did you ask any great questions today?'  What a beautiful way to educate kids.  That we're excited by their questions, not by our answers.  Or whether they can repeat our answers.  

J.K. Rowling: I've often met people who are terrified.  In a straight jacket of they're own making because they'd rather do anything than fail.  They don't want to try, for fear of failing. 

Gwyneth Paltrow: The world tried to break me, I found a road to take me, home.  There ain't nothing but a blue sky now.  After all of my running, I'm finally coming... home.  This is a lyric from the movie Country Strong.

Peggy Tabor Millin: We never touch people so lightly that we do not leave a trace.

Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world.  Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.  

Helen Keller: Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.  

Jane Elliot: God created one race.  The human race.  And human beings created racism. Jane did an experiment in an elementary school classroom on discrimination years ago.

Sarah Dessen: If you try anything- if you try to improve yourself, or to love, or to make the world a better place, you have already achieved something wonderful, before you even begin.  Forget failure.  If things don't work out the way you want, hold your head up high and be proud.  And try again.  And again.  And again!

Audrey Hepburn: For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge you are never alone.

Maya Angelou: 'When it look like the sun wasn't gonna shine anymore, God put a rainbow in the clouds.'  Imagine.  And I've had so many rainbows in my clouds.  I had a lot of clouds.  But I have had so many rainbows... and the thing to do it seems to me is to prepare yourself so that you can be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. 

My Pastor: Faith is not a commodity.

Robyn Carr: From Forbidden Falls,  Trying is a struggle and doing is an act.  You can't witness the act of trying, but you can see the results of doing.

Wynona Judd: Don't forget to put yourself on the list. 

Mother Theresa: I know God will not give me anything I can't handle.  I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

Harriet Beecher Stowe:  Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.  

Krista Seaman: Be honest in your opinion.  Be gracious in your manner.  Be humble in your tone.  Be thankful for what you're given.

Laura Frantz: From Courting Morrow Little: You need to take the happiness held out to you.  Before it's too late. 

Edith Wharton: There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or to be the mirror that reflects it.  


So many smart women in the world with gems to share.  There are so many quotes I could have shared.  But these were the ones, that in the last year, stood out to me the most.

Remember to live the best you can.  Love the most you can.  Tell the people that you love, you love them.  Take a break and soak up the sun.  

 Moments are precious, many things can wait... The Sunset Won't.