Although I don’t know when I began collecting quotes, I do know that I learned about the power of words early in life. As a student at Trinity Lutheran School, I began memorizing Bible passages as soon as I entered first grade.

As I got older, I discovered that these words I’d committed to memory often came in handy when I was confused or frustrated. They also could be used to win arguments with my siblings.

When I was in my early teens, my widowed Aunt Marge advised me to memorize beautiful poems, “So you can recite them to yourself when you’re scrubbing the floor,” she explained.

That bit of advice both surprised and moved me. When I would see her working hard to care for her two daughters, I often wondered what lovely poem was on her mind.

More beautiful words entered my life when I chose English as my college major and, later, taught English to reluctant high school students. However, this was more of an exercise in appreciating fine writing than it was in taking those words to heart.

It wasn’t until I began my journey of self-discovery that I found myself startled, encouraged and inspired by the words of others. How did that author know I needed to hear those very words?

Were there universal truths that could be revisited over and over again and make an impact every time?

Was I the only one who needed frequent reminders?

I really didn’t care what the explanation was. It was enough to know that despite distances of time and geography, there were others who had thoughts that touched me and, frequently, lighted my path.

When I began writing myself, it seemed natural to include quotes from my growing collection.

I also noticed that although I never intentionally memorized these words, they often had lodged in my memory and would show up at appropriate times—providing answers or encouragement.

One day a quote-loving friend and I were talking about the power of words. I said, “I think a good quote is a seminar in a sentence.”  My friend agreed and the description stuck.

Two summers ago, I gathered some of my favorites in a little book called, of course, Seminar in a Sentence. I intended it as a handy guide to pull out whenever a quick seminar was needed.

The pocket-sized book has quotes organized by subject including Dreams and Dreaming, The Creative Spirit, Work and Love, Beginnings, Create Abundance, Small is Still Beautiful, Taking Risks, The Power of Ideas and several others.

You can add it to your library—or purse or pocket—by ordering it directly from me.

As Doris Saatchi reminds us, “Pure space, filled with thoughts rather than things, is good for the soul.”

And if you have a favorite quote, feel free to share it in the comment section below.

 

“When setting out on a journey,” the poet Rumi warned, “do not seek advice from someone who’s never left home.”

Seems obvious to me, but I’m amazed at the number of people who let themselves be talked out of their dream of business ownership by folks who’ve never run a business.

Doesn’t it make more sense to see what successful self-bossers have to say? Today we’re going to do just that.

The world is a massively more hospitable place for entrepreneurs than it was twenty years ago. ~ Richard Branson

But for those who think that an eternal escape from work would be paradise, don’t forget that we all need a playground and your own company is one of the best playgrounds of all. ~ Derek Sivers

The self-owned and -operated business is the freest life in the world. ~ Paul Hawken

I dare say, all successful entrepreneurs have loved to tell the story of their business. Because that’s what entrepreneurs do: they tell stories that come to life in the form of their businesses. ~ Michael E. Gerber

More good has been launched by more people from kitchen tables than any other platform in the land. ~ Jim Hightower

I think the best investment you can make is to start a business that is so much fun you don’t care if you go broke. With this approach, you can be certain of success. ~ Phil Laut

Feeling taxed? I am GRATEFUL to be making money doing what I love. For years, writing was a hobby, a hope, a haunting. Now it’s a legitimate business, one I file on Schedule C. If you’re lucky enough to be “taxed” on your dream or free enterprise, celebrate today. It’s a milestone and a privilege. ~ Tama J. Kieves

Self-managers of our own assets. That’s what more and more of us are becoming. ~ Charles Handy

Bootstrappers built this country and they continue to make it great. Virtually every business—from IBM to the local dry cleaner—was bootstrapped, usually by people with far less smarts, less money, fewer connections and less vision than you have right now. ~ Seth Godin

Entrepreneurs want to create a livelihood from an idea that has obsessed them. What gets their juices going is seeing how far an idea can go. ~ Anita Roddick

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Want more wise advice from fellow travelers? I’ve collected some of my favorite quotes in a little book called Seminar in a Sentence. Readers tell me they carry it with them so they can find inspiration on a moment’s notice. Order yours now.

 

Several years ago, Marlo Thomas compiled over 100 personal stories in a book called The Right Words at the Right Time.  People both famous and less well known shared stories about a moment when words changed their lives.

Many of the stories concerned moments when someone was on the verge of giving up, but got back on track because of a few encouraging words. The book is a terrific reminder that our words have more power than we may realize.

It wasn’t until I began my own journey of self-discovery that I found myself startled, encouraged and inspired by the words of others. How did that author know I need to hear those very words? Were there universal truths that could be revisited over and over again and make an impact every time?

I didn’t really care what the explanation was. It was enough to know that despite distances of time and geography, there were others who had thoughts that touched me and, frequently, lighted my path.

Soon I found myself filling notebooks with quotations that were eloquent and enlightening. Hundreds of my favorites are now gathered in a nifty little book called Seminar in a Sentence.

Here’s a tiny sampler of thoughts on what it means to Live Rich:

In this world, it’s not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. ~ Henry  Ward Beecher

Life engenders life. Energy creates energy. It is by spending oneself that one becomes rich. ~ Sarah Bernhardt

I knew that to be at home in the world was the way to grow rich. The way I wanted to be rich. ~ Marlena de Blasi

The lack of wealth is easily repaired but the poverty of the soul is irreplaceable. ~ Michel de Montaigne

Both having money and not having money make fantastic adventures possible that would not otherwise be possible. Same for having, and not having, anything else. ~ Mike Dooley

It is better to live rich than to die rich. ~ Samuel Johnson

Here is what would be pitiful: if your income grew and you didn’t. ~ Jim Rohn

If you’re going to let your fear of poverty govern you life your reward will be that you will eat, but you will not live. ~ George Bernard Shaw

Money loses its value the moment you try to hang onto it. Money only has value when you’re willing to let it go. Money has its greatest value when it leaves your hand, because it empowers you to be, do and have something that you choose to be, do and have. ~ Neale Donald Walsch

The secret to a rich life is to have more beginnings than endings. ~ David Weinbaum

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If you’d like your own portable Seminar in a Sentence, click on the link and let me know where you’d like yours sent.