“Don’t listen to the cynics.  That’s the only piece of advice about which I am certain.  They were wrong about my generation and they are wrong about yours.”

Vice President Biden gives the Commencement Address at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Those who seek beauty will find it.

(Source: mylifewithanorexia)

In spite of all of the problems, in spite of all of the difficulties, young people: you must never, ever become bitter or hostile. You must not get lost in a sea of despair. You must keep the faith, and keep your eyes on the prize.

For those nearing graduation (and anyone else who just needs some inspiration). 

Stay hungry. Stay foolish.

(Source: lemonlights)

-Henry Miller

Decide in your heart of hearts what really excites and challenges you, and start moving your life in that direction. Every decision you make, from what you eat to what you do with your time tonight, turns you into who you are tomorrow, and the day after that. Look at who you want to be, and start sculpting yourself into that person. You may not get exactly where you thought you’d be, but you will be doing things that suit you in a profession you believe in. Don’t let life randomly kick you into the adult you don’t want to become.

I love how all the constellations are named after Greek heroes
It reminds me that even though they’re immortal
they, too, have their vices.

So tonight I’m going to sit on the fire escape,
eating an apple.
I’m going to nickname the view Eden.

And I’m going to look at those tragic stars
with their pagan hearts full of mourning
And I’m going to say,
‘What a fall, but what light.

What impossible light.’

The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize, that in life they create their own love, they manufacture their own meaning, they generate their own motivation. For me, I am driven by two main philosophies, know more today about the world than I knew yesterday. And lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you.

(Source: psychotherapy)

They always say time changes things. But you actually have to change them yourself.

It is now our generation’s task to carry on what those pioneers began. For our journey is not complete until our wives, our mothers, and daughters can earn a living equal to their efforts. Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. Our journey is not complete until no citizen is forced to wait for hours to exercise the right to vote. Our journey is not complete until we find a better way to welcome the striving, hopeful immigrants who still see America as a land of opportunity; until bright young students and engineers are enlisted in our workforce rather than expelled from our country. Our journey is not complete until all our children, from the streets of Detroit to the hills of Appalachia to the quiet lanes of Newtown, know that they are cared for, and cherished, and always safe from harm.

(Source: theatlanticwire.com)

If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.