20 Quotes for Being Happy with What You Have!

Life can be hard. Sometimes the best thing you can do is take in some wise words from a friend or from an idol. So, I’ve decided to compile a list of some of the greatest quotes about life I’ve ever seen! Feel free to add your own in the comments!

1. “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr Seuss

[Tweet ““Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” – Dr Seuss”]

Dr Seuss, the famous children’s author encouraging us to look on the bright side and be positive! This could be applied to many situations, a breakup, the loss of a loved one, or perhaps leaving school or a job.

Whatever it is, if you can manage a smile then your day will become a bit brighter. Think about all the lovely memories and great moments that will never leave you. And if that fails, pick up one of Seuss’ books. You won’t be able to stop smiling!

Recommended for you:
8 Quotes We Owe to William Shakespeare

2. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde

[Tweet ““To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” – Oscar Wilde”]

Another famous author! Oscar Wilde on whether people truly live their lives. Do you hate your job but continue to do it anyway? Do you want to travel but you’re afraid to leave home?

Mr Wilde is talking to you! Life is short so why not enjoy it? We are all very lucky to be alive and we should make the most of every single moment!

Recommended for you:
5 Inspirational Quotes for English Language Learners

3. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein

[Tweet ““There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” – Albert Einstein”]

Albert Einstein, everybody’s favourite theoretical physicist. Smartphones weren’t around in Einstein’s times which is probably a good thing. Are you a technology addict? Would you choose the latest YouTube video over a conversation with a loved one in the same room?

Drop the smartphone! Let go of the tablet! Shut down the computer! (Not now, reading myenglishteacher.eu is acceptable. Albert said so.) But over the next few days, just look at the world around you. There are beautiful colours, beautiful animals and beautiful people right there next to you! If your eyes are constantly on a screen, you may be missing out…

Recommended for you:
Catchy Phrases about AGE!

4. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – Allen Saunders

[Tweet ““Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” – Allen Saunders”]

The multitalented Allen Saunders on how life cannot be mapped out. It doesn’t matter how much you try, you cannot truly plan life. You can live in a certain way and work towards certain goals but there will always be unexpected turns.

This can be a good thing! Wouldn’t it be boring if you knew everything that was going to happen in your life? You’d be expecting everything and so how would you be surprised or scared? How would you learn? In two words, you wouldn’t! It would be like reading the last page of a book before you have started it (not recommended!).

Recommended for you:
112 Phrases for Saying Thank You in Any Situation

5. “Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso

[Tweet ““Everything you can imagine is real.” – Pablo Picasso”]

If you have ever looked at a Picasso painting then you will know exactly what he is trying to say! Your imagination has the power to change the world! Using your imagination isn’t just for children.

Picasso himself used his imagination to create extremely popular art. He created this art regularly, each piece of work different from the next. Just think of how many authors, artists and entrepreneurs use their imaginations every day. Are you using your imagination on a regular basis?

If not, try to bring it back into your life. You will be surprised at the results! Life can be a lot brighter with just a little bit of imagination. The best part is, it’s easy! Just relax and imagine. Make Pablo proud.

Recommended for you:
Useful English Phrases For Running A Business Meeting

6. “Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi

[Tweet ““Where there is love there is life.” – Mahatma Gandhi”]

Human beings were designed to love each other, but sometimes it looks like we are a bit lost! War, poverty and hatred are all that we seem to see in the news. The good news is that we can make a difference! Little acts of kindness go a long way.

Smile at people, hold doors open, say hello to people you pass in the street! Most importantly, love those around you. Your family, your partner and your friends are all great gifts from the world so make sure you appreciate them every day!

Recommended for you:
Polite Expressions in English: Words, Phrases and Questions

7. “Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” -George Bernard Shaw

[Tweet ““Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” – George Bernard Shaw”]

This is an important one to remember. Some people spend their lives trying to understand who they really are and why they are really here. Are you one of these people? If so, stop sitting around and start creating your own identity!

You have the power to be whoever you want to be and create whatever you want to create. Imagine your life as a blank canvas or a set of pages with no writing inside. What are you waiting for? Paint your own picture or write your own story. The world is waiting for you. It’s never too late to change or reinvent yourself!

Recommended for you:
Common Phrases with DICE!

8. “We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” – May Sarton

[Tweet ““We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.” – May Sarton”]

Following the theme of creating your own identity, this fantastic quote from May Sarton that tells you its okay to be who you’re meant to be! Why try to change to fit in? Live life the way you are and you will always feel comfortable in your own body.

If the people around you don’t like or approve of you and who you choose to become, then get away from them! You don’t need negativity. There are other people that will appreciate the real you. As the quote says, sometimes it can be difficult or scary to find out who you really are, but once you get used to yourself and your identity, life will be a lot easier!

Recommended for you:
15 Business English Idioms and Phrases In Use

9. “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

[Tweet ““Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson”]

Why do things that other people have already done a million times? The popular way is not always the best way! Blazing your own trail can lead to great self-fulfilment and also to a lot of recognition from other people.

So many discoveries were made because of different thinking and new ideas that contradicted old beliefs. Who knows? Maybe you will think of that next great idea and maybe it will change the world.

Recommended for you:
Phone Conversation: Most Commonly Used English Phrases

10. “Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced” – Soren Kierkegaard

[Tweet ““Life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced” – Soren Kierkegaard”]

A beautiful quote from Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard. So many people try to see the negative in their life without thinking about the positive!

As far as we know, we only have one life. Why waste it by overcomplicating things? Live in every moment, every second of every day to the best of your ability and you will be making the most of your time in this reality!

Recommended for you:
65 Football Phrases and Idioms to Use in English

11. “The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn

[Tweet ““The most important thing is to enjoy your life – to be happy – it’s all that matters.” – Audrey Hepburn”]

The most important part – being happy! You may notice that this is the main theme of the article, lots of happy quotes to make you smile! (you’re welcome). Audrey Hepburn was a fantastic British actress in her day, she unfortunately died in 1993. And this is a great motto to live by, if you are not happy with your life then make an effort to change for the better!

Recommended for you:
SHOPPING Phrases, Dialogs and Phrasal Verbs!

12. “Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius

[Tweet “”Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” – Marcus Aurelius”]

Following on from Audrey Hepburn we move to Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor. But if you look at the two quotes they are saying much the same thing! Aurelius tells us that happiness is within us, a view shared by many philosophers throughout history.

We have power and the choice to be happy, great news right? So, if you’re sad today, make the right choice. Smile! Be happy! Love those around you!

Recommended for you:
Formal and Informal Email Phrases Starting with Greetings

13. “Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.” – Sholom Aleichem

[Tweet “”Life is a dream for the wise, a game for the fool, a comedy for the rich, a tragedy for the poor.” – Sholom Aleichem”]

This quote from Yiddish author Sholom Aleichem, takes a lot of analysis. So lets analyse!

• “…a dream for the wise…” – The wise are always thinking about possibilities and different realities. The only one that anyone can affect, however, is reality.
• “…a game for the fool…” – The fools are always playing around and doing silly things. Therefore, life is a game!
• “…a comedy for the rich…” – The rich can afford (literally) to laugh at the world because they have security and possibilities. But money doesn’t always buy happiness…

Everyone has their own unique perspective on life and it’s important to remember this. People see things differently and may not always agree with you. Be open with your views!

Recommended for you:
8 Idioms About Happiness That Make You Happy as a Clam

14. “We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese

[Tweet “”We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese”]

Lovely! And so true. When you think back over your fondest memories, they may only be small snapshots. It’s important to remember that these moments could come at any time if you are living life to the best of your ability every day!

Recommended for you:
50 Popular English Idioms to Sound Like a Native Speaker

15. “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius 

[Tweet “”Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” – Confucius”]

Confucius cutting through all complications! This quote says that life is easy to live and that maybe people are overthinking their lives. Are you guilty of overthinking?

If something makes you happy, you should be doing it. If something doesn’t make you happy, then you shouldn’t be doing it! Simple! Simplify things and be happy.

Recommended for you:
Please what is this phrase meaning exactly – “to run forward …

16. “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln

[Tweet ““In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln”]

Another one to do with making the most of your time. Look at these two scenarios:

• Living in solitary confinement for 90 years and dying without meeting anyone or experiencing anything.
• Living 30 years, meeting lots of really cool people and doing incredible things.

Which life would you rather have? Which do you think ‘Honest Abe’ would have chosen? Live a full life!

Recommended for you:
British and American Slang Words

17. “The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.” – William Morris

[Tweet ““The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.” – William Morris”]

You’ll notice that many of the quotes here sound very simple. Maybe you’re shouting at the screen: “LIFE CANNOT BE THAT SIMPLE!” Well, it really can! William Morris is talking here about appreciating every day.

Look around you right now and notice the details of wherever you are reading this. Think about all the little innovations, all the designs of man and nature and then think about how amazing those things are! The beauty is in the detail.

Recommended for you:
10 Business English Phrases About Sport You Can Use

18. “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha

[Tweet “”Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” – Buddha”]

The only thing you can affect is the present. The future is yet to arrive and the past is gone! So why do we spend so much time worrying about the past and the future? Take care of the present moment so that the past and future will take care of themselves. Again, it sounds so simple, but how often do you actually apply it?

Recommended for you:
Essential Academic Writing Examples and Phrases!

19. “I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” – Arthur Rubinstein

[Tweet “”I have found that if you love life, life will love you back.” – Arthur Rubinstein”]

A really interesting insight from Arthur Rubinstein. Do you love your life? Does it love you back? If you think about it, the answers have to be the same. You are the master of your reality so you decide the way in which your life is lived.

Love is a two-way street no matter what you’re talking about, if you want something to love you back, you have to show love first!

Recommended for you:
A Visual List of 100 English IDIOMS FOR TIME with Examples

20. “Get busy living or get busy dying.” – Stephen King

[Tweet ““Get busy living or get busy dying.” – Stephen King”]

A perfect summary of all the quotes! Life is short. Appreciate it. Sometimes times are tough, but energy is best used finding solutions rather than feeling sad.

If you live your life to the best of your ability every day then you will surely be happy. I hope you enjoyed the list! Which one is your favourite?

Recommended for you:
10 New Year Wishes and Useful Expressions