I was slightly brain-damaged at birth, and I want people like me to see that they shouldn’t let a disability get in the way. I want to raise awareness – I want to turn my disability into ability. ~ Susan Boyle
Everybody’s damaged by something. ~ Emma Donoghue
Most people tend to think the best of those who are blessed with beauty; we have difficulty imagining that physical perfection can conceal twisted emotions or a damaged mind. ~ Dean Koontz
If we all did the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves. ~ Thomas A. Edison
If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life. ~ Abraham Maslow
Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. ~ Raymond Chandler
Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming. ~ John Wooden
The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world’s problems. ~ Mahatma Gandhi
I am always personally challenged when I realize how many individuals in our world have an incredible resiliency as they encounter obstacles in their lives. So many people face their hurdles with positive attitudes and embrace the learning opportunities that are concurrent. They walk away with a deeper sense of self, a stronger character, and a strong sense of purpose in life.
Today, 39 days ’til 40, I am reminded that we all have been damaged in one way or another, but we are all still quite capable, if we are willing to acknowledge, embrace, and fulfill the abilities we are able to perform.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
Chatter Master
January 13, 2013 at 00:58
Wonderful insight!
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:13
Thanks!
spearman101
February 4, 2013 at 21:29
Beautiful!
400daystil40
February 4, 2013 at 23:27
Thank you!
Julie
January 13, 2013 at 02:01
Nominated you for VBA http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com. My blogpost about it will be up tomorrow. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:13
Wow, Julie, thank you so much for the compliment!!!
Julie
January 13, 2013 at 22:33
Very welcome. Thanks for the inspiration.
Another Thousand Words
January 13, 2013 at 05:35
These are wonderful quotes, 400, which I wish more people would take to heart! After being so close to death eight months ago, I made a goal of living each day to its fullest–put the pain aside, and go take a walk, I said to self…and the walking has shown me so many new things (to photograph), things I so totally ‘skipped past’ before. It’s a terrible feeling, facing death, yet anyone can ‘set their mind’ in the right, positive place, and benefit greatly (IMHO–I am an artist, not a psychologist, Haha!)!
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:12
Thank you so much! I am so glad that you have continued to walk!
deWriterMD
January 13, 2013 at 06:22
Reblogged this on MetaRead360 Small Press presents and commented:
Wonderful quote..amazing attitude!
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:11
🙂
Lucianus Mauricius
January 13, 2013 at 09:04
Indeed, we’ve all been damaged in one way or another. We all beat the scars of what happened to us, yet we continue walking forward in life. There are times when our damages become obstacles, but we cannot allow ourselves to stop for to long pondering on them, we must move forward.
Thank for sharing this post.
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:11
You are welcome!
Julie
January 13, 2013 at 15:00
absolutely true. If I really believed I was as bad a writer as I think I am I wouldn’t have a blog. Many times we are too critical of ourselves, and let our fear, and old inner tapes get in our way.
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:10
Yes, exactly!
veronicahaunanifitzhugh
January 13, 2013 at 15:47
Howdy! Congratulations! I nominated you for The Versatile Blogger Award. For details, http://cvillewinter.wordpress.com/the-versatile-blogger-award/
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:10
Wow, thank you so much for making me smile today!!!!! 🙂
veronicahaunanifitzhugh
January 13, 2013 at 23:49
you’re welcome!
Bob Faw
January 13, 2013 at 18:38
Well stated. Everyone has sustained damage. It is part of being alive. It’s what we choose to do afterwards that determines our fate the most.
I experienced some extreme violence as a child, and yet I have helped thousands of people learn how to live more positive and helpful lives.
Their are countless people who choose a path of helping, growing and joy. This is a good thing, because there are just as many people who turn away from that path.
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:09
Thank you, Bob! I too had a rough childhood and, like you, I did not use it as an excuse, I turned it around and helped others – it is a good feeling! 🙂
Cup O Swank Studio
January 13, 2013 at 20:19
“An artist’s life is the best in the world, if you can get through the first 40 years.” Thomas Hart Benton, American painter.
You’re almost to the best part! 🙂
400daystil40
January 13, 2013 at 22:08
Yea!!!
Spider42
January 14, 2013 at 15:04
Exceedingly well said.
400daystil40
January 14, 2013 at 23:10
Thanks!
simon7banks
January 15, 2013 at 19:39
This for me is one of those great YES, BUTs. These are inspiring words. But what if Hitler, dreaming of remaking the world in his image, had heard the opposite and been discouraged? After all, we are all capable of being murderers.
400daystil40
January 15, 2013 at 22:57
it is true, there is always that side.
Gardengirl
January 22, 2013 at 14:42
This is a wonderful post! I used it as the inspiration for mine today and linked back to you. I gave you full credit for the inspiration.
400daystil40
January 22, 2013 at 20:41
Thank you so much, Julie!!!
Gardengirl
January 22, 2013 at 22:28
You are so welcome. It struck a chord in me and I just couldn’t let it go.
Hattie Wilcox
January 29, 2013 at 00:08
Like the saying goes, my life began at 40. I had a dream job, I went to Europe for the first time, and adopted my first child. And the good news? As time passed and I got older, it got better. So you might wanna strap yourself in and get ready for better experiences than you’ve had to date.
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 00:25
Wow, sounds like we have some things in common (I have two adopted kids and we head overseas a lot)…. I look forward to the good that will come… soon!
jfreelancer1
January 30, 2013 at 21:45
I rememember turning forty. I was the managing editor of a newspaper in the Palm Springs area and wrote about it in my weekly column. It was a time when I was attempting to do exactly what you’re doing there; a time of tansition from a ‘kid’ to ‘adult’, sort of. I started noticing a bald spot — or at least a spot there the hair was thinning. I was more annoyed by the spare tire I was lugging around (still am, only it’s lost a little air now) and I first started to think about my bucket list — which I would never get through since it’s so long. Didn’t mean to prattle on so, but keep your chin up — it keeps getting better. I’ve had 20 years experience being forty now.
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 23:48
Thanks so much! Hmm… mabe I need to start that bucket list……..
jfreelancer1
January 30, 2013 at 21:46
P.S. I really like your theme!
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 23:47
Thanks!
jengolightly
January 30, 2013 at 21:54
I had every bad thing happen to me, and felt broken and ashamed and it became an excuse just to hurt. I met up with someone I totally admire who has always had the greatest life and they had worse happen to them. I had to make myself stop the hurt, there was no need for it.
400daystil40
January 30, 2013 at 23:47
Wow, it sounds like you have had a healing journey.
carlakempert
January 31, 2013 at 22:00
Neat. I’m almost 6 years past 40. While I miss my younger days, I wouldn’t go back. I know too much now to give that up. 🙂 Good job!
400daystil40
January 31, 2013 at 23:04
Thank you!
yingyangyoga
February 6, 2013 at 21:42
thank you!
i sometimes think the similar, maybe more pessimistic “damaged, but no longer capable”. then i remind myself the power of words have over us and i change my wording to “fixable and capable in my own terms and not someone else’s” i had to learn the hard way to set boundaries and value myself more, bc i used to say ‘yes’ to everything at work till burnout overtook me.
i ignore age…youthfulness can be seen in the eyes of a person or their attributes and personality- to escape time and transcend it through good deeds and not taking life to seriously. we are all ageless souls : )
400daystil40
February 6, 2013 at 23:24
Thank you so much for your wonderful insight!
400daystil40
February 15, 2013 at 21:48
Thank you!