ROYP: From Brave New World to the Bible - inspiring words our readers take comfort in

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

– Hebrews 11:1

You may not have a religious background but I think this Bible verse relates to everyone. Faith is a confidence we should have deep down in our souls. Practise active waiting – to wait in hope and confidence. Waiting is not a pause, it’s a constant preparation for the future, trusting your own abilities and loving yourself in the process. After all, you’re all you’ve got!

ROYP: from Marilyn Monroe, to the Bible - inspiring words our readers take comfort in

Hey readers! We often go in pursuit of pleasure. We hope to avoid pain at all costs, and to live in a state of continual bliss. Yet, it’s the bad that defines the good; it’s the inequity that defines the compassion. Whenever I feel lost, drained by all the negativity, I’m reminded of a quote in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World:

“But I don’t want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness, I want sin.”

- John the Savage in Brave New World

This quote is simple, but it’s undeniably moving. Huxley refutes the notion that we need only bliss. He tells us that to taste the sweetness of the fruit, we must first know bitterness. He tells us that, to be happy, we need the danger, the sin. This quote reminds me that all the suffering in the world exists for a reason. The wretchedness we feel isn’t arbitrary, for it makes the little moments of joy even sweeter. This quote gives me solace in times of hardship – it grounds me when I feel I’m in free fall.

ROYP: inspiring words that give our readers that little extra push they need

I may look and sound very British, but I was born and bred in Hong Kong. I am an avid nature lover and writer and hope to combine these two interests to educate the public on environmental issues.

Dare to be different

- (Anonymous)

So many people feel pressured to fit in with the crowd, as if that will automatically make them happy. I say be what YOU are. We are all unique in our interests and personalities and it’s that uniqueness that makes us and the world interesting. Don’t blend in, stand out!

ROYP: the quotes that help our readers deal with everything from self-esteem to homesickness

“Because they make me think about what I do. They question my beliefs, and an unquestioned belief is almost vestigial (…) A belief is a filter, you have to run things through it, so you know how you’ll see the world. It’s a lens, it’s not a prop.”

– American comedian, writer, actor, and TV host Stephen Colbert

This is what Colbert said when asked why he is thankful for people he doesn’t agree with.

I used to think that doubting what I believed in was a bad thing because that meant I was unfaithful to my values and thus not a good supporter of the causes I champion. However, this quote helped me realise that there is nothing wrong with healthy scepticism. I also like this quote because it is applicable to the world we live in today, with all the political divisiveness, hate speech, and wars. People who shout others down when their beliefs are challenged not only look bad, but send the message that their opinions are untenable and would win no converts.

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Tell us a bit about yourself, your most inspiring quote and what it means to you. Send us a lovely selfie in jpg format, no smaller than 1MB. Don’t forget to include your full name, your age and a phone number (in case we have any questions), and you, too, could be radiating #goals.