As I’ve got older I’ve become less tolerant. This fact often jeopardises my quest to live more wisely.
And I find that my thoughts around, ‘How to live a better life’ are a very real conundrum as the years fly by, because I realise that time on this earth is not exhaustive.

Do you ever feel anxious that we are on this planet for only a nanosecond of universal time? Do you, like me, often turn to inspirational quotes and sayings in a quest to live life better?
Trying not to sweat the small stuff
Meaningful quotes and sayings about life gleaned from inspirational sources often give me the little bit of daily ‘oomph’ to realise that some things just have to give, while other things should take more precedence.
There is no point in sweating the small stuff, waking in the middle of the night, worrying about stuff you cannot change.
That would be me.
3am – wide awake – fear of the unknown dread and all that.
Is my husband taking on too much stress at work? Is my daughter really doing okay? What about my son – wasn’t there an undercurrent to what he told me yesterday? Shouldn’t I be spending more time in England helping to take care of my elderly Mum? Did I upset so and so today by making that stupid comment? Why did this or that person not return my smile today? Where is my blog going – what am I doing for heavens sake spending so much time at the computer?
And so the drunk money continues his somersaults in my head until I get up and make a cup of Rooibos tea admitting sleep defeat.
Little Life Lessons we should adhere to
The reality is that we don’t have time to worry about inconsequential stuff, or our wrinkles, or what we said to someone yesterday or how we appear to others, or what’s going to happen tomorrow, because we should be up and doing, out and being, creating, loving, enjoying and laughing, and definitely be doing a little bit of good where we can too.
Even so, there are times when it’s easy to mutter and moan or stew over a misguided backhanded compliment, or want to yell at someone who’s just said something that bugs the hell out of you.
Inspirational Quote
I found this quote this morning by Meryl Streep, and it struck a chord.
I no longer have patience for certain things, not because I’ve become arrogant, but simply because I reached a point in my life where I do not want to waste more time with what displeases me or hurts me. I have no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. I lost the will to please those who do not like me, to love those who do not love me and to smile at those who do not want to smile at me. Meryl Streep.
Meryl went on to elaborate further, and I’ve taken the liberty of using some of her thoughts and great sayings as a jumping off point to help me be a stronger and better person.
I hope you find these inspirational sayings about life helpful too.

How to live a better life
- Cherish your family.
- Help your family through their difficulties and challenges and applaud their every success.
- Recognise people undermine you, and spend as little time as possible with them.
- Don’t waste a minute on people who try to control you.
- Be the best version of yourself you can be everyday day.
- Don’t accept hypocrisy.
- Don’t accept arrogance whether it be intellectual, or based on physical beauty or money.
- Don’t go into head on conflict.
- Embrace difference and diversity.
- Treasure loyal friends.
I would love to hear your tips and daily inspirations too.
Related Posts
How to Cheer Yourself Up When You’re Feeling Down
How to Stop Living with Regret
7 Things Self Isolation has Taught me
How to Find Purpose in Life After 50
Little Life Lessons : What Would Your 95 Year Old Self Tell You?
Oooooh. “Treasure loyal friends, and don’t spend too much time spreading yourself thin amongst acquaintances.” Good one
Hi Leanne, Yes it is a good one isn’t it – so often we try to be too many things to too many people and end up as minimised vegemite LOL!
Jo, you are in excellent company with your 3:00 a.m. musings and worries. I’m pretty sure the women of the world have all the time zones covered. I copied this quote down at some point—without attribution. I’m taking a nap (not) or I’d jump up and Google it.
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Haha Suzanne 🙂 Yes those 3.00am musings, many women seem to relate.
Great quotes to help us strive to be a better self. Thanks Jo
Hello Suzanne, thank you so much for reading and glad you enjoyed the quotes 🙂
Jo, I loved this post. Thank you! I agree with every one of your points, but I especially love the quote about having no patience for cynicism, excessive criticism and demands of any nature. Amen! Now to put it into practice! My reflections of a crazy A to Z Blogging month
Hi Shirley, Ohh thank you so much 🙂
A simple saying can mean so much, especially when you are down
Simple sayings are so often the best – and memorable too, hey Emma 🙂
Super quotes. Thanks for sharing them. #livinglifelinky
Thanks Patrick 🙂
I was going to pick my favourite one of your points to comment on Jo – but they are all so good and I agree with every one of them. I’m particularly focused on not giving toxic, arrogant, lying, two faced people any space in my life – any of those qualities now ring alarm bells and I back right off. I’m also trying to figure out how to deal with needy, clingy people too (one in particular) because they drain me too. I really enjoyed your post and the one you shared on #MLSTL – you’re on fire with your posts this week!
Thanks Leanne 🙂 Glad you enjoyed my posts! Not sure about being on fire (wish!) but quietly smouldering maybe 😉
Tolerance and patience must have been in short supply when I was created, as I lack both majorly. I am happy to release negative nellies from my life without a second glance now. Life can be hard enough without having others try to drag you down.
Lol, I love it Nikki 🙂
Meryl Streep is quiet a woman. I absolutely echo her words. I no longer waste time on people that are toxic and I no longer bother trying to please everyone. I don’t care if I’m not everyone’s cup of tea as long as I have my loving family and a couple of close friends. #TeamLovinLife
I think that’s so right Kathy – as long as we have a loving family and a couple of close friends – that’s all that really counts.
10 great quotes Jo – I’m a worrier but lately I seem to be worrying less about insignificant things. I’m sure if we could live by all these quotes our life would certainly be better.
Well done you Sue on being less of a worrier of late. Yes, these quotes are going up on my fridge so that I remember them.
I agree with Jo – Meryl is a wise (and talented) woman! The thoughts you mentioned that can roll through the brain in bed at night … OMG – they could be mine! I am a worrier that’s for sure. I’m going through a bit of a bad patch with sleep at the moment too, though thankfully last night I finally got a good amount of sleep. I love those 10 points above – they’re so very true. I also love a good quote too! 😉 #TeamLovinLife
Hi Min, oh dear I’m sad to hear you’re a bit of a worrier at night like me – but also comforted that I’m not alone 😉
She’s a wise woman, Meryl is…
She sure is Jo! 🙂