Quotes from Mark

Mark E. Smith’s Books & Talks

From Facing the Insurmountable to Accomplishing the Impossible

Quotes from Mark…

On Accepting Change....

“It’s easy to look at a change, a seeming adversity, and view it as life knocking you down. However, if we steer clear of that stifling trap, and take a true inventory of what we have around us, it’s clear that life is always lifting us up. Don’t deny or resist the positives in your life by holding on to what you perceive as having lost. Instead, recognize the value in what you have in the present, and embrace the positives around you—and your life will immediately change for the better.”

On Resiliency....

“The fact is, we all have the capacity for incredible resilience, the ability to weather life’s toughest storms. Yet, resilience isn’t entirely automatic, it’s a developed skill. When we face adversity, we must consciously take control of our moments, we must just do something even when it’s the smallest task, even when it’s merely leaning into the wind rather than getting blown over, making it successfully past a storm.”

“Life may seem at times like it sets us back; however, through the optimism of faith, it becomes clear that life only moves us forward in the most rewarding directions.”

On Self-Acceptance....

“If we’re going to live with disability—and, let’s face it, we have no choice—then, let’s be honest about it, living as who we truly are, regardless of how others may react, having the guts to boldly live outside of the closet.”

On Pursuing Goals....

“Our journeys of a thousand miles do begin with single steps and require many, many more. The fact is, it is sometimes impossible to get our arms around our dreams; we can’t simply go from where we are, to where we wish. However, we can—and must—start somewhere, a single small step that will lead to big changes.”

“We’re all passionate about something, we all have exceptional talents. It’s simply giving ourselves permission to dream, and then following through that makes all the difference.”

On Inner-Strength....

“You might say that like trees, we all have root systems—that is, a nature-given strength that runs deeper than the naked eye could ever trace. And, when we look in the mirror each morning, past the obvious facades that are our outward appearances, it’s vital that we remind ourselves to realize the strength beneath, a strength that can weather any storm, a strength that is the truth within: We have the ultimate daily capacity to not just survive, but thrive.”

On Graciousness....

“Truly, if you want to see the world around you transformed into one of understanding and kindness toward your disability, you merely need to extend generosity to those you encounter, and maintain an openness toward others bestowing generosity upon you. In fact, the next time someone offers to give you a push up a hill in your wheelchair, accept his or her generosity, and extend yours in return—you’ll be amazed at what a kind, understanding world we live in.”

On Succeeding with Disability....

“The fact is, if you are going to succeed with disability, you have no choice but to purposely, actively pursue the extraordinary. We start the competitions in life—from careers to romances, and all in-between—at a deficit with disabilities. Physically, we intrinsically have less ability than others, and culturally, we are viewed as less capable than others. As a result, if we are going to succeed, we can’t just prove ourselves as average; rather, we must prove ourselves as extraordinary. Others can get by without formal education; those with disabilities can’t. Others can get by with only pulling half of their weight at work; those with disabilities can’t. Others can live mediocre lives, and still economically survive; those with disabilities can’t. You must rise above all else when you have a disability, or you don’t have a chance.”

On Relationships....

“It’s vital that we not let our disabilities become who we are, that we don’t put them before others or ourselves. Let us recognize that disability is part of us, but not all of us, where we remain attentive and receptive in our relationships, open to others as they are open to us.”