I have a confession to make. I need to learn from the insights I write as much as anyone–perhaps even more sometimes. Since I draw a lot from others, too, I’ve decided to share some of the sound bites that have occasionally inspired me. Use what works, discard the rest.

When the everyday grind gets tough: You don’t get paid for Sunday [insert your own big event here]; that’s fun. You get paid to get ready for Sunday.–Marv Levy, on football

When pride gets in the way: Apologizing doesn’t always mean that you are wrong and the other person is right. It just means that you value your relationship more than your ego.–Unknown

On the darkest days: We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.–Abraham Lincoln

When you want to hide: Let me remind you, the light doesn’t blind you at all…it just helps you see. -Goo Goo Dolls

Each of these has spoken to me at a particular time. Even so, I am amazed at how quickly I forget their wisdom when circumstances change, regardless of how firmly I try to tuck their simple truth into my heart. Perhaps the secret is this:

It’s simple, but it’s not easy.–Marv Levy