15 Quotes to Make You Feel Strong Just As You Are
We live, most of us, feeling as though we’re missing something.
We seek to feel whole, internally, and this often has a toll on our mental well-being. And what’s worse, many of us use mechanisms such as addiction to try and run, hide from, or bottle down this feeling of unworthiness only to do further damage to ourselves.
The reality is, we’ve just lost sight of the truth. You are whole, and the wisest men and women throughout human history have echoed this relentlessly for you to hear. You just have to be willing to listen to their voices.
I hope the below collection of quotes helps spark something within you – a feeling of strength in your own skin. And to feel worthy... just as you are.
15 Quotes to Make You Feel Strong Just as You Are
Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the face.– Helen Keller (more quotes)
To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.– Thich Nhat Hanh
Our self-respect tracks our choices. Every time we act in harmony with our authentic self and our heart, we earn our respect. It is that simple. Every choice matters.– Dan Coppersmith
The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.– Elizabeth Kubler-Ross
Why should we worry about what others think of us, do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?– Brigham Young
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.– Ralph Waldo Emerson
I think everybody’s weird. We should all celebrate our individuality and not be embarrassed or ashamed of it.– Johnny Depp
Your crown has been bought and paid for. Put it on your head and wear it.– Dr. Maya Angelou (more Maya Angelou quotes)
There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.– Anaïs Nin (more Anaïs Nin quotes)
When you adopt the viewpoint that there is nothing that exists that is not part of you, that there is no one who exists who is not part of you, that any judgment you make is self-judgment, that any criticism you level is self-criticism, you will wisely extend to yourself an unconditional love that will be the light of the world.– Harry Palmer
When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. This meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and habits anything that kept me small. My judgement called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-loving.– Kim McMillen
Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life, but define yourself.– Harvey Fierstein
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.– Eleanor Roosevelt (more Eleanor Roosevelt quotes)
The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours it is an amazing journey and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.– Bob Moawad
A healthy self-love means we have no compulsion to justify to ourselves or others why we take vacations, why we sleep late, why we buy new shoes, why we spoil ourselves from time to time. We feel comfortable doing things which add quality and beauty to life.– Andrew Matthew
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.