Henri Nouwen Quotes

It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.

If my story can help someone to better themselves in life, then so be it.

I am so happy I have been able to channel all the things that I went through when I was younger and make them into something positive.

Nothing in life has happened to you. It's happened for you. Every disappointment. Every wrong. Even every closed door has helped make you into who you are.

When I think of my past, I try to dwell on the good times, the happy moments, and not to be haunted by the bad. . . To me the gift of life is contained in the command, whatever happens: "Don't let it get you. Just keep on going." Thus, I try to think of the good that I have already experienced and what will still be coming.

There are no mistakes in life, only lessons. There is no such thing as a negative experience, only opportunities to grow, learn and advance along the road of self-mastery. From struggle comes strength. Even pain can be a wonderful teacher.

Any personal crisis - you have to use it to get stronger.

The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering.

The worst thing that happens to you may be the best thing for you if you don't let it get the best of you.

What used to drive me was the fact that I wanted to be better than everybody at something. One of my best qualities is that I used whatever other people found to be an adverse thing to be a positive thing for myself.

If people have a basic understanding of right from wrong, possess a strong desire to better themselves and persist in there cause, they can break the chain of any negative environment.

I am proof that one person can rise above any challenge, and if I can, then so will others if they are given the chance.

Instead of me having a breakdown, I'm focusing on me having a breakthrough.

I'm not the kind of person to sit and dwell for ages on something that happened. I go through something, I experience it, I try to learn from it, and I move forward.

Each experience through which we pass operates ultimately for our good. This is a correct attitude to adopt and we must be able to see it in that light.

My journey through life has led me through both light and dark places, and it's because of those experiences that I have learned how to work through my character defects and to help others do the same.

No one is perfect in this world, and we all have our battles, but it's the way we get back on our feet and turn it around that really counts.

I made stupid decisions as a kid, or as a young adult, but I'm trying to be now, I'm trying to take this lemon and make lemonade.

The low points I had all helped make up my character, so I probably wouldn't want to do away with them because I like being flawed and I like having them help me grow and change and become better and stronger.

I believe everything negative that happens in your life is for a positive reason. If your heart breaks, you know that you are a human being and it happens. But you can't mope over it. There's only one life. You better get on ahead and fast. Fast enough not to let your past ever catch up with you.

I learned that you go through things, you deal with them and that's what empowers you and ultimately makes you a happy person.

Reality show? You can't find anything better than boxing because of the trials and errors, the ups and downs, the struggle when you get knocked down to get back up. Use it symbolically and interchangeably for life.

I lived in the projects and the ghetto, and turned the negative into a positive.

You have perspective when little people come into your life. You take the best things you have and let them overshadow your disappointment.

I am a great motivator. I have struggles in my life, and the only way I can push through them is to motivate others. It really is quite selfish.