25 Lucy Maud Montgomery Quotes About Embracing Life’s Challenges
Lucy Maud Montgomery (Nov. 30, 1874 — April 24, 1942), was a Canadian author, best known for her novel Anne of Green Gables, which was a smash success from the moment it was published.
Montgomery’s mother died of tuberculosis when she was only a baby, and her father left her to be raised by her grandparents. She grew up as a lonely, yet joyous child who loved nature, colors, and perfumes. She never stopped seeing beauty in this world even after tragedy struck her family.
Maud
felt unwanted and unloved so she built an imaginary world of her own that led
to her creative pursuits. She got to enjoy an active social life, but always
struggled with bouts of depression. Even so, what she desired above all was to
bring joy to those who read her novels, and that she accomplished!
During her writing career, Montgomery published 20 novels, more than 500 short stories, 30 essays, an autobiography and a book of poetry. Anne of Green Gables and the series of sequels with Anne as the central character remain Maud’s most highly appreciated books.
Here are 25 Lucy Maud Montgomery quotes about embracing life’s challenges:
Just as soon as you attain to one ambition you see another one glittering higher up still. It does make life so interesting.
It’s not what the world holds for you. It is what you bring to it.
It's been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that you will.
Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.
When you’ve learned to laugh at the things that should be laughed at, and not to laugh at those that shouldn’t, you’ve got wisdom and understanding.
When you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worthwhile.
Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?
Something just flashes into your mind, so exciting, and you must out with it. If you stop to think it over, you spoil it all.
Secrets are generally terrible. Beauty is not hidden--only ugliness and deformity.
Humor is the spiciest condiment in the feast of existence. Laugh at your mistakes but learn from them, joke over your troubles but gather strength from them, make a jest of your difficulties but overcome them.
Next to trying and winning, the best thing is trying and failing.
All things great are wound up with all things little.
It’s been my experience that you can nearly always enjoy things if you make up your mind firmly that it will.
Well, we all make mistakes, dear, so just put it behind you. We should regret our mistakes and learn from them, but never carry them forward into the future with us.
On a day like this there’s no such word as fail in my bright lexicon.
Just think what a dull world it would be if everyone was sensible.
That’s one of the things we learn as we grow older — how to forgive. It comes easier at forty than it did at twenty.
How terrible it would be to be doing something you didn’t like every day.
All life lessons are not learned at college. Life teaches them everywhere.
When we imagine we have finished our story fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter.
We miss so much out of life if we don't love. The more we love the richer life is—even if it is only some little furry or feathery pet.
It's bad enough to feel insignificant, but it's unbearable to have it grained into your soul that you will never, can never, be anything but insignificant.
Most of the trouble in life comes from misunderstanding, I think.
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.