1. "We realize the importance of our voice when we are silenced." - Malala Yousafzai

I often find myself exceedingly thankful that I have a voice. Writing, to me, is one of the most important things in my life. I can't imagine going through life without being able to share my own words and ideas. This quote fills me with so many emotions. I feel a wave of appreciation that I am able to have freedom of speech. I also feel a sense of inclination. I feel inclined that, because I have the ability to share, I must use my voice for something positive, useful, and inspiring. I hope more people can understand that having a voice is a privilege that must be used for something worthy.

2. “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” – Bertrand Russell

In times of pressure, I find this quote to be extremely uplifting. As a high school senior, the pressure of grades, jobs, and applications can often become overwhelming. Any moment I take for myself to relax seems like wasted time. Simple moments such as being with friends or watching a movie can result in feeling guilty. I know that many of my peers have felt the same way too. This quote, however, correctly proves those emotions to be wrong. Life is meant to be enjoyed. No one knows what will happen in the next moment so, as long as you are still doing what needs to be done, don't feel bad about taking a much needed break.

3. “Until the lion learns how to write, every story will glorify the hunter.” – African Proverb

In today’s society, information can be easily accessed. Still, although we are always taking in knowledge, not everything we see or hear is true. It’s important to know that sources can be biased and that we must always try to see things from different perspectives and different sources. It's such an important thing to know that many people don’t have a voice, but that doesn't mean that their ideas should be ignored. It never hurts to try to figure out what people would say about a certain situation if they could.

4. “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” – Ronald Reagan

This quote is just wonderful to read. These nine words give so much hope to this world. Life is hard, but to know that we each have the ability to change a person's life for the better is spectacular.

5. “Success is not final, failure is not final: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

This quote is one that I feel almost anyone can relate to. It's important to know that, if we succeed, we must stay humble, and if we fail, we must try again.

6. "Beauty is not long hair, skinny legs, tanned skin or perfect teeth. Believe me. Beauty is the face of who cried and now smiles, beauty is the scar on your knee since you fell when you were a kid, beauty is the circles when love doesn’t let you sleep, beauty is the expression on the face when the alarm rings in the morning, it’s the melted makeup when you have a shower, it’s the laughter when you make a joke you’re the only one who can understand, beauty is meeting his gaze and stopping understanding, beauty is your gaze when you see him, it’s when you cry for all your paranoias, beauty is the lines marked by time. Beauty is what we feel in the inside which also shows outside us. Beauty is the marks the life leaves on us, all the kicks and the caresses the memories leave us. Beauty is letting yourself live." - Emma Watson

A quote for anyone who forgets that they are beautiful.