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We need men who can dream of things that never were.

John F. Kennedy

In 1963, John F. Kennedy became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Ireland. In his address to the Parliament in Dublin, he spoke of Irish emigration to the United States, Ireland’s support for American independence, and the small nation’s own historic struggle for freedom from the British. Kennedy also reflected upon his own Irish ancestry, speculating about what would have been had Ireland been independent when his great-grandfather came to America. During the address, he praised the Irish character as one of “hope, confidence, and imagination” — traits the young President considered vital in a world whose problems could not be solved by skeptics or cynics, but rather by dreamers and visionaries.

It's only possible to live happily ever after on a day-to-day basis


Margaret Bonnano

With this simple but poignant observation, science-fiction writer Margaret Bonnano — best known for writing a series of "Star Trek" novels between 1985 and 2010 — muses that life is not an abstract concept, but the aggregate of how we spend each of our days. It’s a surprisingly powerful motivator — a reminder not to waste any time. If we can live in the moment and find gratitude and joy in the present, we will eventually be able to look back on a lifetime of happiness.

Success is the process itself.

Matt Damon

Reflecting on his career as an Oscar-winning actor, producer, and screenwriter, Matt Damon recognized that his greatest sense of accomplishment came not from the box office or critics or even awards, but from the process of creating itself. In a 2019 interview with "The Talks," he shared that true fulfillment comes from loving what you do. “It’s really about feeling that I did my best work,” he said, “feeling that we told the story we wanted to tell in the way we wanted to tell it. That’s really the definition of success.”

That's the very reason they put rubbers on the end of pencils... because people make mistakes.

Phoebe Waller-Bridge

This message of forgiveness and do-overs speaks to actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s own view on life. Best known as the creator, writer, and star of the beloved TV comedy "Fleabag," and the showrunner of the spy thriller series "Killing Eve," Waller-Bridge brings to life unconventional women who make a lot of mistakes. But just as this metaphor suggests, her lovably flawed characters often get a chance at redemption. Moving past their mistakes offers them an opportunity to prove something to themselves, and come out stronger and more confident on the other side.

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist.

Indira Gandhi

Indira Priyadarshini Gandhi was the third prime minister of India, as well as the first — and so far, only — woman to hold the position. She served four terms, stepping in and out of the role during the tumultuous period of the mid-20th century. In her life, she fought for India's independence from Britain and rose to become a highly influential leader, though with a complicated legacy. As a powerful figure in government, she was often called upon to host negotiations between reluctant parties. She understood that even when there is animosity, an agreement can be reached if both sides are willing to listen and shake hands. Step one is to unclench the fists; we can only move forward after letting go of anger.

We are stronger when we listen, and smarter when we share.

Rania Al-Abdullah

Rania Al-Abdullah, the wife of King Abdullah II, has served as the queen of Jordan for more than 20 years, and in that time she has been a champion for her people as well as several humanitarian causes around the world. In her efforts to promote global education, the rights of women and children, community empowerment, and cultural understanding, she reminds us that we are always better together. When we can engage in respectful dialogue, free to share our thoughts, feelings, and stories, everyone benefits.

Falsehood is so easy, truth so difficult.

George Eliot

George Eliot, born Mary Ann Evans in 1819, chose to write under a male pen name for two reasons: She wanted to avoid the stereotype of women’s writing of her day, and sought to protect herself from the scandal of being an unmarried woman living with a married man. Truth, in her personal life, was indeed difficult — but truth was also of vital importance to Eliot, even in her fiction. Her novels, including "Middlemarch" and "Silas Marner," were a realistic portrayal of life, full of detailed depictions and psychological insight. As she once wrote, “I aspire to give no more than a faithful account of men and things as they have mirrored themselves in my mind.”

I'm afraid I'm an incorrigible life-lover, life-wonderer, and adventurer.

Edith Wharton

Most people recognize Edith Wharton’s name from her enduring works of fiction, including her novels "The Age of Innocence" (1920) and "Ethan Frome" (1911). But many would be surprised to learn that the accomplished author was also a veritable Renaissance woman with myriad passions and talents. Throughout her life, and despite the restrictions imposed on women at that time, she made a name for herself as an interior decorator, garden designer, travel writer, war journalist, and the first woman to win a Pulitzer Prize. In a letter to a friend just before her death in 1937, Wharton wrote, “I wish I knew what people meant when they say they find ‘emptiness’ in this wonderful adventure of living.”

Leadership is not about necessarily being the loudest in the room.

Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern became New Zealand’s youngest prime minister in 150 years when she was sworn in at 37 years old in 2017. Since then, she has worked steadily on gender equality initiatives such as equal pay for women and paid parental leave, and comforted her country through times of crisis. The prime minister’s words here remind us that leaders make the most impact when they listen to the people around them, try to find common ground, and lift up those who need it most.

If the risk is fully aligned with your purpose and mission, then it’s worth considering.

Peter Diamandis

Having started more than 20 companies, entrepreneur Peter Diamandis is intimately familiar with risk-taking. A veteran of Silicon Valley, Diamandis’ initiatives, including starting the XPRIZE Foundation, center around futuristic concepts such as AI, space tourism, and human longevity. His projects focus on technologies with enormous potential to change the way we live, inviting both risk and progress. Diamandis’ words encourage us not to write off the bold move: Taking a leap of faith can help us grow in ways we can’t imagine.