Over 30 and Not Married

Question: Do you have anything inspirational for my beautiful daughter to make her realize that her love will appear one day. She is afraid because she wants kids and she is over 30 already and all her friends are married and with kids!! What can a mother tell her? Help. Any special sayings that will help her understand what is happening?

My Answer:

It is so true that being young can be a huge emotional challenge.

My two messages for your daughter are that she will find the right man when the time is right -- and even more important, that there is more to life than getting married, and that the less she tries to force the issue, the more likely she is to connect with the right man.

This is my wish for you:
Comfort on difficult days,
Smiles when sadness intrudes,
Rainbows to follow the clouds,
Laughter to kiss your lips,
Sunsets to warm your heart,
Hugs when spirits sag,
Beauty for your eyes to see,
Friendships to brighten your being,
Faith so that you can believe,
Confidence for when you doubt,
Courage to know yourself,
Patience to accept the truth,
Love to complete your life.
- Anonymous

You have to believe in yourself.
- Sun Tzu

To go against the dominant thinking of your friends,
of most of the people you see every day,
is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.
- Theodore H. White

If you have no confidence in self, you are twice defeated in the race of life.
With confidence, you have won even before you have started.
- Marcus Tullius Cicero

When you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.
- Lee Ann Womack

To thine own self be true.
- William Shakespeare

Most of the shadows of life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Language... has created the word "loneliness" to express the pain of being alone.
And it has created the word "solitude" to express the glory of being alone.
- Paul Tillich

The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy
is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet,
alone with the heavens, nature and God.
Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be.
- Anne Frank

There are lots more quotes for you at Encouraging Quotes and Daily Inspirational Quotes

May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie

Ask Why Not How

Ask "Why" rather than "How." 

Rather than asking, "How can I get a raise," try asking, "Why am I struggling in this company, rather than looking for a job where I will be happier and more fulfilled?" or "Why am I exchanging so much of my life energy in the pursuit of more money?" 

Rather than asking, "How can I get him to like me," try asking, "Why am I struggling to chase after this particular individual, when there are so many wonderful people waiting to be my friend?" 

Rather than asking, "How can I do all the tasks on my to-do list," try asking, "Why have I committed to do all these things? Do they all further my life purpose? Would I be happier and more fulfilled if I crossed most of the tasks off the list, and renegotiated my agreements with those whose demands I am attempting to meet?"

There are those that look at things the way they are, and ask "Why?" 

I dream of things that never were, and ask "Why not?"

 - Robert F. Kennedy paraphrase of George Bernard Shaw 

Science is wonderfully equipped to answer the question "How?" 

but it gets terribly confused when you ask the question "Why?" 

- Erwin Chargaff 

Urgent? Why? - Jonathan Lockwood Huie 

Ask why this task is on your to-do list. 

Consider discarding those items to which you are not truly committed. 

For the tasks which do speak to the longings of your own heart, begin now, today, this moment.

 - Jonathan Lockwood Huie 

 

Further reading: Question Your Questions 

 

Nothing to look forward to

Question: I worry a lot. I have depression & anxiety. I'm alone. I have no one, no children, just me & my cat. Have health problems that confine me, I'm not happy at all. I'm miserable. I feel like I exist, not living. I have nothing to look forward to.

My answer:

1. You don't mention a spiritual practice. That is very helpful to most people.

2. You are likely to be happier if you help others to be happier - even if it is just something you do for others over the telephone or internet.

3. Focus on the good things that you do have - however small they may seem.

Life is without meaning.
You bring the meaning to it.
The meaning of life is
whatever you ascribe it to be.
Being alive is the meaning.
- Joseph Campbell

Further reading: Quotes about Purpose

The Secret of Happiness

Ten Little Tips to Feel Happier Right Now

Zero-Based Gratitude

May the world be kind to you, and may your own thoughts be gentle upon yourself.
- Jonathan Lockwood Huie