Inspiring quotes from inspiring, ordinary people

"It's precisely the people who are considered
the least 'likely' leaders who end up inspiring
others the most. Everyday people and everyday
acts of courage eventually change everything."
AI- JEN POO		 xxxxxx "Hope is the most important thing that people need
to regain. I just want to be one example of someone
who overcame hardships---one source of hope.
That's all we need to start seeing possibilities
for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren."
HENRY RED CLOUD		 xxxxxx "Throughout history, social change---abolition, suffrage,
civil rights, and worker rights---has depended on the work
of millions of people. We are called today to build another
such movement for a just society---and each person can
make a unique and powerful contribution."
DEEPAK BHARGAVA


"Go out and take action regardless of how
perfect your initial project will be---go into
action, because we as a society have got to
the point where we like to sit around and plan
thiongs and do feasibility studies and lock
them away in a closet. Now is the era for getting
into action."
WILL ALLEN		 xxxxxx "Most people want to see immediate results from
our work. At the Institute, we like to joke with each
other: 'If you're working on something you can finish
in your lifetime, you're not asking the right questions.'"
WES JACKSON		 xxxxxx "Believe that the world can chaange, and commit to
your part of the solution. Look at the world with clear
eyes, but remain hopeful, and celebrate! When you
feel challenged, reach out and reach in."
MAY BOEVE

x

"I believe in the 3/4-baked philosophy. People
chase perfection---trying to 'fully bake' their ideas
before they share them with the world. Too many
end up never sharing their ideas, songs, dreams,
novels and inventions. The 3/4-baked philosophy
is about finding that right time to share your work---
letting the community fully bake it. The more you do
this, the more you put yourself out there, the more
success you have."
JASON F. McLENNAN		 xxxxxx "My light doesn't shine bigger than anybody else's.
Kindle the light in other people, so we shine together.
The light from all of us will transform the darkness of
ignorance and greed in our world into compassion
and joy."
LILY YEH		 xxxxxx "In practice, there is no grand chasm to cross.
Just do the small act of kindness for the person
in front of you, right now. Small acts may or may
not change the world, but the definitely change
you. And when you look at the world with fresh
eyes, it's a whole new realm of possibilities."
NIPUN MEHTA

x

"We think we have no power when in fact
we have more than enough power."
TIM DeCHRISTOPHER		 xxxxxx "I never felt like I had a choice about
getting involved in this struggle---I
couldn't stop and I never will."
DR. DEB RICHTER		 xxxxxx "I kept showing up because something about
the work fed my soul. Everyone can show up for
something. And who knows where it will lead."
ALISON SMITH


"Have big dreams but focus on what you
can control: your own thoughts, words and
actions. This was Gandhi's way---in the words
of Buddhist poet Gary Snyder, our job is to
move the world a millionth of an inch."
EBOO PATEL		 xxxxxx "Never think that you can't do
something without even trying it first."
LUCAS BENITEZ		 xxxxxx "We must be convinced that the power
of ideas is greater than that of the Pentagon
and political parties. We must embrace the
conviction that each one of us has power
within us to create the world anew."
GRACE BOGGS


If you aren't familiar with these individuals, you can read about them in YES! Magazine.