As I sit and think about my baby girl and the hopes and dreams I have for her, most of them are fairly simple. I don’t care if she becomes a doctor or a photographer or a circus performer, but I do hope that she learns some important life lessons along the way. I suspect most parents would say the same, if you asked them.
I hope I always have the words I need to inspire her to reach those dreams — but if not, I’m sure some of these thinkers, philosophers, and iconic world leaders wouldn’t mind if I borrowed some of theirs. Here are some quotes I recently came across that captures my own hopes for my child.
1. “It always feel impossible until it’s done.” — Nelson Mandela
I remember so many times in my life that things just seemed too overwhelming. But somehow, with determination, the impossible can become possible. And better yet, when it’s all over it’s not so bad. I hope that my daughter Fern learns this herself, and has even just a smidge of the determination that this great man had.
2. “Find something you’re passionate about and stay tremendously interested in it.” — Julia Child
So much yes to this. Whatever my daughter decides to do with her life, I just hope that it’s something she’s passionate about, and that she finds a way to stay engaged and excited about it. Such a wonderful little nugget of truth from the oh-so-wise Julia Child.
3. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” — Henry David Thoreau
I hope that this little lady that’s been entrusted to me learns to chase after her dreams and make her life whatever she wants it to be, just as Henry David Thoreau says.
4. “Whatever you are, be a good one.” — Abraham Lincoln
I don’t care what my daughter grows up to be, but I do hope that whatever it is, she takes honest Abe Lincoln’s advice to “be a good one”.
5. “There are far, far better things than any we leave behind.” — C.S. Lewis
It can be easy to hold on to the past, but I hope that I teach my little one to look with eager anticipation toward the future and the potential that it holds. Don’t be afraid to let go of negative relationships, jobs, etc. — let them go in anticipation of better things ahead.
6. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott
I hope that my daughter will be sure of herself and confident to take on the challenges that life dishes out. When tough times come, I hope that she will confidently “steer her ship through the storm” as Louisa May Alcott states.
7. “Fake it ’til you make it.” — Unknown
I hope that my child never feels the need to achieve perfection. I hope that she knows she is enough; that she’s wonderful just as she is. And when she does have moments of feeling less confident? Fake it till you make it! Everyone else is faking their way through, too!
8. “Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” — Anne Frank
Most of all, I hope that my baby will always know that her potential is limitless and the only one who can limit that potential is herself.
9. “Be your own fun.” — Unknown
I just love, love, love this. I hope that my daughter never finds herself “bored,” but rather makes up her own brand of fun and is always an adventurer.
