My french press of decadent hazelnut coffee is nearly ready, the day is about to begin—but I’m dragging.

My soul is thirsty, in need some extra inspiration; my heart feels parched.

Caffeine alone won’t cut it.

What to do?

I googled “inspirational quotes” only to find a load of fluffy crap that made me groan, rather than soar. It was all a little too bubblegum-fake-smile-cheesy. However, my search was not without treasure, as I stumbled upon some juicy word-gems by Joseph Campbell.

I’ll be honest, I’m not all that familiar with Campbell’s work, but I do know that his words kicked me in the butt, set my soul on fire, and had me burning brighter for days. They were medicine. I hope they taste inspiring and delicious to you, too.

Sit back, take a breath, and get ready for the goosebumps.

“The big question is whether you are going to be able to say a hearty yes to your adventure.”

“A bit of advice
Given to a young Native American
At the time of his initiation:
As you go the way of life,
You will see a great chasm. Jump.
It is not as wide as you think.”

“Your life is the fruit of your own doing. You have no one to blame but yourself.”

“…The greater life’s pain, the greater life’s reply.”

“When we talk about settling the world’s problems, we’re barking up the wrong tree. The world is perfect. It’s a mess. It has always been a mess. We are not going to change it. Our job is to straighten out our own lives.”

“The fates lead him who will; him who won’t they drag.”

“No one in the world was ever you before, with your particular gifts and abilities and possibilities. It’s a shame to waste those by doing what someone else has done.”

“If you are falling…dive.”

“Life is without meaning. You bring the meaning to it. The meaning of life is whatever you ascribe it to be. Being alive is the meaning.”

Yum.

These quotes are even better than coffee; just as delicious, but richer, much more satisfying.

Lets sip on ’em like a foamy latte, and come back to ’em again and again.

And again.

Relephant: 

8 Life Lessons you’ll want to Write Down from Joseph Campbell.

Author: Sarah Harvey

Editor: Renée Picard

Photo: StockSnap/Quincy Alivio