Inspirational quotes are popular because we see reflected in the wise words of great minds validation of who we feel we are and motivation for whom we want to become.

Each month Gary Blair, President and owner of i24 Call Management Solutions publishes a newsletter containing his favourite quotes – his ‘gems’. 

Quotes and Trivia for August – Garys Inspirational Monthly Gems

Welcome to August the month named for Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. It is also associated with the hot and muggy summer days that the Romans associated with the heliacal rising of Sirius and the sighting of the Dog Star.  You may, of course, know them better as the “dog days of summer” the name given them during the early 1500’s.

The dog days are associated with lethargy, inactivity or indolence and cover the period of July 3 through August 11.  During ancient Egyptian times, the dates were earlier and timed with the summer solstice and the new year. However, with the precession of the equinoxes, the dates have now shifted later on the calendar.   

Why “dog days,” you ask?  Because the ancient Egyptian hieroglyph for Sirius was a dog.

And why a dog you ask? The reason has been lost over time, however, as a dog lover, I can attest to the fact that on hot and sultry summer days dogs love nothing more than to find a quiet spot to indulge their love of napping.  Coincidence … maybe, or maybe not.

In any event, for all you dog lovers (and cat lovers too), here are a few August Gems to help you have a chill and laid back the month of nothingness.  

[click_to_tweet tweet=”A diamond is simply a lump of coal that did well under pressure. – Henry Kissinger” quote=”A diamond is simply a lump of coal that did well under pressure. – Henry Kissinger” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”When you throw dirt, you lose ground. – Texan Proverb” quote=”When you throw dirt, you lose ground. – Texan Proverb” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The older I get – the older “old” becomes. – Author Unknown ” quote=”The older I get – the older “old” becomes. – Author Unknown ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The Universe is made of protons, neutrons, electrons and morons. – Author Unknown” quote=”The Universe is made of protons, neutrons, electrons and morons. – Author Unknown” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”When you turn the corner and you run into yourself then you know that you have turned all the corners that are left. – Langston Hughes ” quote=”When you turn the corner and you run into yourself then you know that you have turned all the corners that are left. – Langston Hughes ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Don’t live in the past lane. – Samantha Ettus ” quote=”Don’t live in the past lane. – Samantha Ettus ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Any great change must expect opposition, because it shakes the very foundation of privilege. – Lucretia Mott ” quote=”Any great change must expect opposition, because it shakes the very foundation of privilege. – Lucretia Mott ” theme=”style2″] 

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Life becomes easier when you learn to accept the apology you never got. – Robert Brault ” quote=”Life becomes easier when you learn to accept the apology you never got. – Robert Brault ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe the impossible. – Charles Kingsleigh” quote=”The only way to achieve the impossible is to believe the impossible. – Charles Kingsleigh” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Sally Berger ” quote=”The secret of getting ahead is getting started. – Sally Berger ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences – J. K. Rowling ” quote=”Destiny is a name often given in retrospect to choices that had dramatic consequences – J. K. Rowling ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”A good system shortens the road to the goal. – Orison Swett Marden ” quote=”A good system shortens the road to the goal. – Orison Swett Marden ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Offering a hand up is not a handout. – Clara Barton ” quote=”Offering a hand up is not a handout. – Clara Barton ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Angry people want to see how powerful they are. Loving people want to see how powerful you are. – Chief Red Eagle” quote=”Angry people want to see how powerful they are. Loving people want to see how powerful you are. – Chief Red Eagle” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Humility means accepting reality with no attempts to outsmart it. – David Richo ” quote=”Humility means accepting reality with no attempts to outsmart it. – David Richo ” theme=”style2″]

[click_to_tweet tweet=”They say the truth will set you free. It can also make you hopping mad! – Shoshana Zuboff ” quote=”They say the truth will set you free. It can also make you hopping mad! – Shoshana Zuboff ” theme=”style2″]

And the thought to leave you with is …

Persistence and positivity are what continue to drive much of what I do in life and while some days are much more challenging than others, I generally always find my way back to one or the other, or both – even on the worst of days.  

And so, when I first came across the following quotation it struck me as the mantra that, taught early on in life, is all one really needs to know as the lessons of life continually teach us how to grow stronger and wiser, providing, of course, we remain open to them.

And so the quote I would like to leave you with this month is …

“I never lose.  I either win or I learn.” – Nelson Mandela