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Welcome to the unofficial warm blanket of the internet where pandemic stress is put on hold for as long as you’re there and everything looks just a little bit better. The subreddit called r/GetMotivated welcomes you with a soul-soothing “We’re glad you made it.” Because they know how hard it is to escape the harrowing reality of sad, fake, and plain ‘can’t take it no more’ news.

But here, a whopping 17 million members are sharing all things motivation that promise to “help you finally get up and do what you *know* you need to do.” And sometimes it’s all that you need.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy the flight to the land of pure wholesomeness where strangers who share these motivational posts suddenly become your only support group.

#1

Absolute Motivation

Absolute Motivation

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Wandaluzt
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3 years ago

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You're congratulating someone who posted this on a Reddit thread 3 years ago. They won't see this.

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mutzolina
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It shouldnt be this hard for anybody to even be able study!!!

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Ani-87
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Damn right. Free education is a privlege, but it shouldn’t be.

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bryguy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You have students like this who have to overcome such obstacles, and then students whose parents gave the university a hundred grand and bought their kid a condo and BMW. You end up with one adult who truly understands how to earn everything, and one adult who expects everything.

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Thomas E S Thomas
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good. Now you can sue the people who made you pay for a test millions of kids take for free.

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Among Us
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's far more impressive when middle class or working class kids graduate from schools like Harvard and such. Some rich parents pay people to photoshop their kids' heads onto some random guy playing sports. Congrats dude.

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Mockster
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hard work and dedication pays off, you dont have to be wear you came from

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's wonderful! You deserve every chance at success.

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Samantha Comerford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow . Don’t forget if it doesn’t work out. You have lots of other skills to fall back on .

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Weezie Ray
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unfortunately, that's just not true. I can't remember who said this, but it's relevant here: "If success and wealth were the inevitable result of hard work and enterprise, women in rural villages in Africa would be the richest, most successful people on the planet." Something like that; you get the idea.

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BlahBlahBlackSheepah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this story is all too common, just not always with the happy ending. so much inspiration! congratulations!

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Sunshine Sunshine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You are an inspiration and I'm going to have my children read this. Very proud of you! Go save the world!

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Cathy Proctor
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WOW, I have never been that motivated in my life and I suppose it shows!

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Faith Nicole
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulation to this man for doing everything he needed to do, and then some, to make his dream come true. 💙

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Ralph Burton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Best wishes and Congratulations to you Shannon from us in the UK

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Caroline Overill
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whaddya want a medal? Just joking. You did brilliantly. Well done I absolutely wish I had your motivation.

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Bernadette Esther
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow!!! What a success story. Congratulations! May God bless you always

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Audrey Stapleford
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well Done. You are an inspiration to others who have been told it's not possible to go to college because of who you are and where you live.

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Amaranthim Talon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Congratulations! You earned your way each hard step of the way and I am positive your family is tremendously proud! I hope you will continue to follow your dreams and succeed at them.

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JJM
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'graduated from Harvard would have done without the pat on your own back. I assume you had parents who helped you?

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Lionelle Grosdemanche-dien
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good, super job. This is amazing!! You deserve everything in this world young man.

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Cynthia Marrs
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow! That's quite an achievement. You should do promotional talks with kids. Maybe spark one to go on to better things.

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ERIN W.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WAY TO GO! AWESOME! I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST FOR YOUR FUTURE,YOU DESERVE IT

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Carole Strawn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope that everyone who reads this lets you know they are proud of you. I certainly am.

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Znaya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You deserve everything in life that is great coming to you, become the best in everything that you can be, take care and always remain humble.

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Hugo A-niro
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Son you make your parents proud and anyone who see this who needs inspiration

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Mya Lugar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU are your own hero, and that f many more you can inspire, almost unbelievable!

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Leslie Burleson
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just smoked a lot of weed and got in trouble for not doing my work.

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DKS 001
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fantastic!!! And I've lived in Ohio. They frown on people trying to do better for themselves.

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Pille P
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry you had it that tough, but I'm very proud of you!

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Gabby M
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My goodness, he should write a book. What an incredible story.

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BonnieBlueButler
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That, my friend, is the definition of the American dream. Congratulations on making your life happen!

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Si
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like an American nightmare. Why should it be this hard?

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Tami
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So a lot of people I know have absolutely no excuse for f***ing up their lives!

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Ms.GB
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That may be true of the people you're speaking of but not everyone can handle the amount of mental and physical stress that young man had to endure, even if they want to.

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Gata Nick
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3 years ago

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It would have been motivational if someone else was telling the story. As it stands it's just bragging

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#2

It Always Gets Better. Just Keep Pressing Forward

It Always Gets Better. Just Keep Pressing Forward

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The world has been one heck of a ride lately. And even though the cursed year of 2020 is already behind our backs, the new year hasn’t been as forgiving as we hoped. With coronavirus mutations, political turmoil and on-off quarantines and restrictions around the globe, many feel drained like never before.

But although the start hasn’t been that fresh, there’s always a way to keep yourself positive, mindful, and motivated. These three words may sound like something reserved for yoga people, but trust me, it’s all easier than we think. So to find out the secrets of navigating through life when it’s a pain in the rear, Bored Panda reached out to the positivity coach and author of “Positive Young Minds” Lynn How.

Lynn told us that in difficult times, although she felt she was functioning normally, her “resilience to sudden changes or unexpected issues cropping up were suddenly a big thing.” It turns out that without inner strength, our resilience in periods of crisis can be impaired.

#4

Sometimes Ya Just Have To Ask

Sometimes Ya Just Have To Ask

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Kirsten Kerkhof
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good for you! I work at an aviation college and we have aircraft in our hangar for the students to learn on. When we have a visitor you can just see the look in their eyes "I really REALLY would love to get into that F16 cockpit!" It generally takes very little coaxing from me to make them jump in. You could light up rooms with the smiles - and of course plenty of pictures get taken (as long as no classified info is included).

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“Sometimes to add and build that inner strength, you need to let those emotions out as opposed to burying them deep inside (a popular coping mechanism). On many occasions, burying your emotions (which I describe affectionately as Ostrich Syndrome) can be more detrimental in the long term than letting them out.”

According to Lynn, inner strength is the ability to keep getting up when you get knocked down. Incredibly, we all are born with it and it’s the skill we learn in the first few years of our lives when those neural pathways are still developing. If they’re not developed at that time, “then you may find yourself less resilient as an adult.”

#5

You Will Either Find A Way, Or An Excuse

You Will Either Find A Way, Or An Excuse

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Anilda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am color blind and so many said "you can't follow a creative career"... well I decided not to listen...I am a successful graphic designer and I teach art at a college!

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#6

Set Goals And Reach Them

Set Goals And Reach Them

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so inspiring! It's never to late to pursue your dreams! :)

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#7

The Last Two Runners In The Pittsburgh Marathon Not Letting Each Other Quit. Obtain Your Goal No Matter What

The Last Two Runners In The Pittsburgh Marathon Not Letting Each Other Quit. Obtain Your Goal No Matter What

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I ran a marathon a few years back. For non-athletes like me, it's very challenging, very strenuous and many people don't even cross the finish line. So these two are heroes for accomplishing something that most people can't. "Even if you run a mile, it's a mile more than if you never run at all"

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“All is not lost though, as increasingly, we are finding out more information through recent research about the brain's neuroplasticity.” Lynn explained further: “In simplistic terms, this is the brain’s ability to rewire itself with the correct input e.g. positive reinforcement and therapeutic treatments such as cognitive behavior therapy.”

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That means that even though we may not be necessarily resilient in the first place, our brain has the capacity to “rewire itself,” which is essentially to learn resilience even though it never really had it. Very effective methods to do so are positive affirmations and mindfulness practices that everyone can practice at home.

#10

Arnie Says Take It One Step At A Time

Arnie Says Take It One Step At A Time

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#12

If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change

If You Change The Way You Look At Things, The Things You Look At Change

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eating with friends and eating alone are both fine. Some days a girl has to take herself out...go to three different places because she can’t make up her mind and has a big appetite. There’s no one or thing to consider except if you should bother wearing pants in the first place.

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Many people feel like mindful meditation is not for them. Even experts are not immune to that. “I would have nominated myself last year with the ‘person least likely to meditate’ award, but things have changed. I am an over analyzer,” Lynn told us.

“However, now I have set aside 15–20 minutes a day to just 'be.’ I have trained myself to sit in silence with an empty mind. It took a while as when you start to do this, you just think about everything you haven’t done that day (often described as your monkey mind!).”

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#15

I Think Talking To Ourselves Like How The Babysitter Did With The Girl, And Having Fun Would Be Good For All Ages!

I Think Talking To Ourselves Like How The Babysitter Did With The Girl, And Having Fun Would Be Good For All Ages!

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#17

Being Human

Being Human

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Jo Johannsen
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really like this. I hope that if I am ever in that position, I will build a Guinness record table.

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#19

This Could Be You. Never Let A "Disability" Or Anyone Else Hold You Back. Achieve

This Could Be You. Never Let A "Disability" Or Anyone Else Hold You Back. Achieve

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After training to simply be, Lynn said she now can sit with an empty head with zero thoughts and she describes the experience as “very cathartic.” The positivity coach said that “If you don’t fancy the silence, there are thousands of guided meditations on YouTube,” but most importantly, assign some time to yourself.

#20

Apparently I Don’t Need To Pay Money For A Therapist Because Random Instagram Posts Are Calling My Ass Out For Free

Apparently I Don’t Need To Pay Money For A Therapist Because Random Instagram Posts Are Calling My Ass Out For Free

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#23

On This Day In 1943. Give Yourself To A Cause

On This Day In 1943. Give Yourself To A Cause

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#26

No Matter How Tough Your Life Is, There Is Always Time For Change

No Matter How Tough Your Life Is, There Is Always Time For Change

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#27

Sometimes You Just Have To Open The Cabinet

Sometimes You Just Have To Open The Cabinet

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pull out the cabinet, open slightly with someone sliding a pool debris net to catch it or just something that would keep it in its place. Grammar and spelling bad now, brain broken

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#28

Never Give Up On Your Dream

Never Give Up On Your Dream

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elStiJneriNO
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i bet there are thousands of pictures similar to the left picture. But there is only one schooling. Pick your rivals carefully

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#29

Helping Those Around You Will Benefit You Greatly

Helping Those Around You Will Benefit You Greatly

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#30

True Teacher

True Teacher

A science teacher from rural Kenya who donates most of his salary to help poorer students has been crowned the world's best teacher and awarded a $1 million prize, beating 10,000 nominations from 179 countries.

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#31

Please Live By This, No Matter What

Please Live By This, No Matter What

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troufaki13
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes! Some people are just hanging by a thread. Please don't be the one to push them over the cliff.

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#32

My Recovery From Addiction - My Name Is Hunter Michael Shepard And I Am An Addict In Long Term Recovery. If You’re Struggling Today Just Know There Is Hope. Put The Dope Down And F**king Crush Life. You’re Worth It

My Recovery From Addiction - My Name Is Hunter Michael Shepard And I Am An Addict In Long Term Recovery. If You’re Struggling Today Just Know There Is Hope. Put The Dope Down And F**king Crush Life. You’re Worth It

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#33

We All Have To Start Somewhere

We All Have To Start Somewhere

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#34

Rebirth

Rebirth

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#35

Guiding Your Way Out

Guiding Your Way Out

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K.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It’s okay to give yourself some downtime, but it’s important to know/realize when to get up/ get help/ start pulling yourself together. It’s a very narrow and incomplete view of struggling and pulling yourself out of that place. Please comment and add to this. The tools I use may not work for another person and it may not be helpful to me for the next funk I get into, so I’d like to learn and have more in my arsenal. I have begun hitting the gym again, wearing some lingerie/dresses, eating and visiting people I trust and worth the risk (no immune compromised or in direct contact of such a person), and hopefully catch up on some reading and checking out art exhibits. Communication is exhausting but worth it for the right people; same goes for vulnerability.

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#36

In 2006 My Boyfriend Asked Me An Epic Painting For His Birthday. 10 Years Later I Decided It Was Time To Finally Do What I Really Wanted. I Quit My Old Job And Started To Learn How Tho Paint. I Never Stoped Since Then! And I Painted Him Updated Versions Over The Years

In 2006 My Boyfriend Asked Me An Epic Painting For His Birthday. 10 Years Later I Decided It Was Time To Finally Do What I Really Wanted. I Quit My Old Job And Started To Learn How Tho Paint. I Never Stoped Since Then! And I Painted Him Updated Versions Over The Years

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#37

Time Flies - Do What You Love

Time Flies - Do What You Love

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Iggy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My father started a degree course when he retired. He was the happiest I'd ever seen him. I was/am very proud of him. Don't let age hold you back.

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#39

Never Give Up On Healthy Habits

Never Give Up On Healthy Habits

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Ola Polowczyk
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love it! Another good one is: "Workout because you love your body, not because you hate it"

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#42

Be Intentional With What You Think About

Be Intentional With What You Think About

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#48

This Trucker Who Takes His Weight Rack With Him To Work Out At Truck Stops Makes No Excuses!

This Trucker Who Takes His Weight Rack With Him To Work Out At Truck Stops Makes No Excuses!

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kjorn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i mean when you have 10 hours downtime and nothing to do, better do something

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#49

For All The "Failures, Disappointments, And Screwups" Out There

For All The "Failures, Disappointments, And Screwups" Out There

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#50

How Bad Do You Want It

How Bad Do You Want It

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John Topper
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My problem with this is that it is naive and fully ignores reality. In reality, sometimes doors are slammed shut in our face. Real bravery is choosing another path, not clawing at the closed door.

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