I’ve had two conversations lately in which someone said, “if only…” followed by an obstacle or problem that they think prevents them from moving forward with their life, dreams and passions.  That got me thinking about the word IF so I looked it up - Webster’s defines it as a conjunction which implies something negative in 5 of the 6 general uses listed.  So, being the ultimate optimist that I am, I went looking for good inspirational quotes that put a positive spin on the word IF. Here are just a few:

If your goal is to have your own life, don’t lean up against a wall waiting for someone to recognize you. ~ Andrew Shue

If nothing ever goes wrong, the chances are nothing ever goes at all. Charlotte Paul

If at first you don’t succeed you’re like everyone else who went on to greatness. ~ Ray Bradbury

If you believe in what you are doing, and you find someone who believes in you, then you have the best environment to turn your dreams into reality. ~ Deborah Micek

If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.  Author unknown

If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it. ~ William Arthur Ward

If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere. ~ Frank Clark

If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more. ~ Erica Jong

If you want a place in the sun, you’ve got to put up with a few blisters. ~ Abigail Van Buren

If you don’t ask, you don’t get. ~ Mahatma Gandhi

If you want to win anything - a race, your self, your life - you have to go a little berserk. ~ George Sheehan

I really like this last one - for me, being a little berserk is what makes life interesting, but my favorite would be Mahatma Gandhi’s – that’s about as simple as it gets.  What new things are you asking for in your life these days?