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“Don’t Live Down to Expectations.”

“Don’t live down to expectations. Go out there and do something remarkable.” Wendy Wasserman, Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize playwright

At the request of a fellow blogger, Janine Ripper, who writes Reflections of a Red Head, this post is in honor of International Women’s Day. Unfortunately, like many women in this world, I don’t have the time to write one myself. I just went through a major move and upheaval in my life and today, I’m leaving for a visit to Mexico City where I used to live.

Instead, I’m giving over the podium, so to speak, to several great women and their inspiring words.

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.” Anaїs Nin, novelist and diarist

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” Helen Keller, activist for the deaf and blind

“We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” Oprah Winfrey, TV personality

“Everybody must learn this lesson somewhere – that it costs something to be what you are.” Shirley Abbott, magazine writer and editor

“I’ve got a woman’s ability to stick to a job and get on with it when everyone else walks off and leaves it.” Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain

“None of us in Superwoman. We are by turns industrious woman, harried woman, organized woman, and sometimes cunning woman, because we all agree that one can always find time, in the most hard-pressed life, to do what one really wants to do, whether it is dancing the tango, playing the harp, or writing a book.” Valerie Grove, journalist and writer

“A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” Eleanor Roosevelt, activist, writer, and former First Lady of the U.S.

Dear friends and readers, if you know any inspirational quotes from women, please share them with us, and I will add them to this list.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 8th, 2011 at 6:12 pm and is filed under Life Challenges, Overcoming Setbacks or Failures, Writers and Writing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 Responses to ““Don’t Live Down to Expectations.””

  1. Janine says:
    March 9, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    How did I miss your post!!! Im so glad I just found it, thank you for the mention, and you know I love quotes – although the last few days of intensive writing and posting has taken it out of me so I just can’t think at the moment.

    I hope all settles down soon!’

    Reply
  2. Some Awesome Women Bloggers « Reflections from a Red Head says:
    March 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    [...] I love this blog, and Penelope reminds me of my Nan, my Mum, some friends…it’s amazing just through commenting on each others blogs how this impression can be reached. I want to shout out to Penelope, as she is going through a great deal of upheaval at the moment through moving, etc. and she still took up the challenge to blog for International Women’s Day! Her post is aptly titled ‘Don’t Live Down to Expectations‘. [...]

    Reply
  3. Janine says:
    March 9, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    And I’ve added a surprise to my latest post (an amended one).

    Reply
    • Penelope says:
      March 9, 2011 at 9:15 pm

      Janine,

      Thanks for including me in your blog post. Also, I’m so pleased with your comparison to your Nan and all the great things you said about me. Yes, Linked In is certainly working for us, helping us find fellow bloggers, new friends, and in my case, my blogging niche.

      Reply
  4. Sherry Zander says:
    March 9, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    Love the opening on your home page. I can personally attest to the challenges coming back from that — I lost almost everything. I have to say, though, that it presented opportunities that I would never have taken if I would have stayed in that high-paying, high-stress, cushy position.

    Sometimes we have to give it all up to gain our real dreams. It took me on a path of self-discovery and appreciation for all that I had right in front of me. The fear of losing even more was a great motivator to keep on track for writing jobs.

    Giving in and giving up was not and is not an option. Perseverance has a way of obliterating fear and strengthening our undergirding, so that we eventually experience relatively renewed success … on our terms this time!

    I WILL be reading your book!

    Reply
    • Penelope says:
      March 10, 2011 at 6:08 am

      Sherry,
      Thanks for your insightful comment. I’m so glad to find people like you who can relate to the challenges of coming back after losing almost everything, and not giving up or giving in. Yes, perseverance is key. Often, the way is tough and there are many obstacles to overcome but each time, we just get stronger and, as you mentioned, the fear of loss can be a great motivator. Also, I believe that if we have been successful before, we can be so again – as I wrote in a post “Harness the Power of Your Memories” a few weeks ago.

      Reply
  5. Christine S says:
    March 18, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Penny
    I love this post and the quote from Eleanor Roosevelt likening us to tea bags! That is so true and quote that I will add to my list of quotes on my blog.

    Thanks for this very thoughtful post!!!

    Reply
    • Penelope says:
      March 18, 2011 at 5:19 pm

      Christine, Eleanor Roosevelt made a lot of speeches so she’s a great quotable source. I’m glad that you liked it enough to add to your list.

      Reply
  6. Samantha Bangayan says:
    October 11, 2011 at 12:13 am

    I absolutely love this collection of quotes, Pennie! I hope you are taking many of these words to heart on your writing “sabbatical,” learning and growing as you carry out your dreams. =) My favorite quote and one that’s pertinent to both you and me is the one from Valerie Grove. I’m glad that you made the time to make things happen for you! Thanks for setting such an amazing example. =)

    Reply
    • Penelope says:
      October 11, 2011 at 6:41 pm

      Samantha,
      I can’t believe that you’re reading my posts all the way back to this one. Yes, I think that these quotes are remarkable as they inspire us to go on, continue with our struggle to reach our goals or fulfill our dreams. These people didn’t give up, they didn’t believe in giving up, and neither should we.

      Reply

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