Life can throw some serious curveballs can't it? One moment you're cruising, the next you feel like you're wading through thick mud, just trying to find solid ground.
We've all been there. Those seasons that stretch you thin, test your spirit, and make you wonder if things will ever get easier. I know I've had my share. And Stephen Montagne, the heart behind GoodExistence.com, often shares his own journey through tough times. He battled things like compulsive gaming, binge eating, and a general sense of being adrift. He knows what it's like to feel stuck. But he also knows the power of small changes, finding faith, and the strength that can come from a few well-chosen words. That's what this is about. Sometimes, a simple quote can be like a little light switching on in a dark room, offering a moment of clarity or a spark of hope.
Words to Hold Onto When an Easy Path is Hard to Find
When you're in the thick of it, it’s easy to feel alone or overwhelmed. Remember that these moments don’t define you. They are just part of your story, part of the path to becoming stronger and more resilient. Here are some words that have helped many of us, including Stephen, navigate those challenging chapters.
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"The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it." – C.C. Scott
A powerful reminder of your inherent resilience. You've got this. -
"This too shall pass." – Persian adage
It’s simple but so true. No storm lasts forever. Hold onto that. -
"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." – Desmond Tutu
Even a tiny flicker of hope can make a huge difference. Look for it. -
"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King Jr.
Stephen often talks about how his Christian Orthodox faith became his staircase. It provided a foundation when the future felt uncertain, guiding him towards purpose. -
"The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived." – Robert Jordan
Sometimes strength is about flexibility not just rigidity. -
"You have power over your mind not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength." – Marcus Aurelius
This is a game-changer. Focus on what you can control: your reactions, your thoughts. -
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.'" – Mary Anne Radmacher
Don't underestimate the power of quiet persistence. -
"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
You have deep wells of strength inside you waiting to be tapped. -
"Turn your wounds into wisdom." – Oprah Winfrey
Every challenge carries a lesson. What can you learn from this? -
"He who has a why to live can bear almost any how." – Friedrich Nietzsche
Finding your purpose, as Stephen did through his faith and desire to help others, can give you incredible strength to endure.
Embracing the Climb One Step at a Time
Change rarely happens overnight. Stephen’s journey of losing over 110 pounds and breaking free from unhealthy habits like binge eating and laziness wasn't a sprint. It was a series of small steps, consistent effort, and learning to get back up after a stumble. These quotes can help you on your own climb.
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"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." – Lao Tzu
Don't get overwhelmed by the whole mountain. Just focus on that very next step. -
"It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." – Confucius
Progress is progress no matter the pace. Keep moving forward. -
"Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out." – Robert Collier
This is exactly how Stephen built new habits. He started small, like with short 2-4 hour bursts of deep work, and built momentum through consistency. -
"Small wins are the secret to big changes." – Unknown
Celebrate those small victories. They fuel your motivation and prove you’re making progress. Stephen made this a core part of his strategy. -
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new." – Socrates
Instead of dwelling on what you want to stop, pour your energy into creating the life you want. -
"You don't have to be great to start but you have to start to be great." – Zig Ziglar
Perfectionism can be a trap. Just begin. You'll learn and improve along the way. -
"Fall seven times stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
Resilience is key. Setbacks are part of the process not a reason to quit. -
"The best way out is always through." – Robert Frost
Avoiding problems rarely solves them. Face them head-on even if it's uncomfortable. -
"Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most." – Abraham Lincoln
This really hits home when trying to break habits like Stephen did with gaming or unhealthy eating. What’s your bigger vision? -
"Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny." – C.S. Lewis
The struggles you face today might be shaping you for something amazing tomorrow.
Remembering Your Light and Looking Ahead
It’s easy to be hard on yourself during tough times. But self-compassion and a belief in a brighter future are essential. Remember your worth and keep your eyes on the horizon. These final quotes are for those moments.
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"Be kind to yourself. You’re doing the best you can." – Unknown
Seriously. Give yourself some grace. You deserve it. -
"The sun himself is weak when he first rises and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on." – Charles Dickens
It’s okay to start small and build up. Each day is a new opportunity. -
"Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise." – Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
Hold onto this truth. Brighter days are always ahead. -
"Gratitude turns what we have into enough." – Aesop
Stephen practices daily gratitude. It’s a simple habit that shifts your perspective and helps you see the good even when things are tough. -
"You are braver than you believe stronger than you seem and smarter than you think." – A.A. Milne
Sometimes you just need to be reminded of your own incredible qualities. -
"Once you choose hope anything’s possible." – Christopher Reeve
Hope is a powerful force. Let it guide you. -
"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." – Eleanor Roosevelt
Don’t let tough times steal your dreams. Keep believing in them. -
"Although the world is full of suffering it is also full of the overcoming of it." – Helen Keller
You are not alone in your struggles nor are you alone in your capacity to overcome. -
"Every day may not be good but there is something good in every day." – Alice Morse Earle
Train yourself to look for those little pockets of good. It makes a difference. -
"Stars can't shine without darkness." – D.H. Sidebottom
Perhaps these challenging times are exactly what you need to let your own unique light shine brightly.
Tough times are a part of life but they don’t have to define your existence. Words have power. They can lift you up give you perspective and remind you of the strength you already possess. Stephen’s journey from struggle to a balanced healthy and purposeful life shows that change is possible for anyone. It starts with believing in yourself taking small steps and never giving up.
Which of these quotes resonated with you the most today? Maybe pick one write it down and keep it somewhere you can see it. Let it be your little reminder that you’re capable and you’re not alone. You’ve got this.
