“Carpe diem,” the famous Latin saying from the Roman poet Horace that means “seize the day,” encourages us to live life to the fullest in the present moment. While we often think of it when presented with big opportunities or faced with important decisions, there may be no more powerful way to use it than as a simple everyday affirmation.
How we start our mornings sets the tone for the rest of the day, and making even a small effort to be positive can have a domino effect on everything else that comes after. But the power of positive thinking does so much more than make for a productive day; studies have shown that there is a strong link between being optimistic and good health. But don’t worry if it doesn’t feel natural to wake up and look on the bright side of things.
It's worth making an effort to cultivate a positive mindset each morning, whether that means practicing gratitude, looking at things from a different perspective, taking time to meditate, setting goals, or simply reminding ourselves that good things are possible.
Here, we’ve selected 14 motivating quotes that can also serve as simple mantras to help set the tone for your day when you wake up.
Make each day your masterpiece.John Wooden
I have always been delighted at the prospect of a new day, a fresh try, one more start, with perhaps a bit of magic waiting somewhere behind the morning.J.B. Priestley
Don’t count the days. Make the days count.Muhammad Ali
You’ve got to get up every morning with determination if you’re going to bed with satisfaction.George Horace Lorimer
Waking up this morning I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours before me. I vow to live fully each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion.Thích Nhất Hạnh
This is a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before.Maya Angelou
Either you run the day or the day runs you.Jim Rohn
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.Ralph Waldo Emerson
One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.Paulo Coelho
Light tomorrow with today!Elizabeth Barrett Browning
For each new morning let there be flow of love. Let there be light of happiness in every direction.Amit Ray
This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity.Og Mandino
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.Eleanor Roosevelt
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.Rumi
Featured image credit: ThomasVogel/ iStock
