Kristin Armstrong Quotes

Powerful Kristin Armstrong for Daily Growth

About Kristin Armstrong

Kristin Armstrong is an acclaimed American novelist and memoirist, renowned for her evocative storytelling that weaves together themes of love, family, and personal growth. Born on August 19, 1968, in Madison, Wisconsin, Armstrong grew up in a family that valued education and literature. Her parents, both teachers, nurtured her love for reading from an early age. In 1990, Armstrong graduated magna cum laude from Northwestern University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a book editor and met her future husband, John Paul deJoria, co-founder of the hair care company, Paul Mitchell. Armstrong's literary career took off in 1994 with the publication of her debut novel, "In the Time of the Butterflies," which was set in the Dominican Republic and explored the lives of four sisters who were assassinated for their opposition to the dictator Rafael Trujillo. The book garnered widespread critical acclaim and was later adapted into a feature film. In 2004, Armstrong published "The Life You've Imagined," a memoir that chronicled her struggle with infertility and her journey to motherhood through the use of donated eggs. The book was a New York Times bestseller and served as a source of inspiration for many women facing similar challenges. Armstrong continued to produce critically acclaimed works, including "The Giver of Stars" (2019), a historical fiction novel set in Depression-era Kentucky that tells the story of a packhorse library project and the women who braved rugged terrain to deliver books to isolated families. The book was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Time, People, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and more. Through her powerful prose and thought-provoking narratives, Kristin Armstrong has established herself as a leading voice in contemporary American literature, touching the hearts and minds of readers across the globe.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Chase your dreams until you catch them...upon reaching them, do not rest, for dreams keep changing."

This quote emphasizes the importance of persistence in pursuing one's dreams, suggesting that once a dream is achieved, it evolves and new aspirations should be sought. The message encourages continuous growth, personal development, and the pursuit of fresh goals, as dreams are not static but dynamic. It's a reminder to keep pushing forward and never settle, even when success is attained.

"Believe in yourself and be brave. You can do anything if you put your mind to it."

This quote by Kristin Armstrong encourages self-belief and courage, suggesting that individuals have the potential to achieve anything they set their minds to. It underscores the importance of confidence in oneself and bravery in taking on challenges, emphasizing that these traits are essential for personal growth and accomplishment.

"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, but eventually it will subside. If I quit, however, it lasts forever."

This quote emphasizes the fleeting nature of pain compared to the lasting effects of giving up on a goal or challenge. It underscores resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity, suggesting that while temporary setbacks can be difficult, quitting will prolong the suffering indefinitely. The message is that one should push through difficulties, knowing that they are temporary, to achieve long-term success and fulfillment.

"Never give up on something that you can't go a day without thinking about."

This quote emphasizes the importance of pursuing dreams, passions, or goals that one cannot forget over the course of a day. It suggests that if an individual is consistently preoccupied with something despite facing challenges, then they should persist in their pursuit, as it is likely a deeply meaningful part of their life. The quote underscores the value of perseverance and determination in achieving personal fulfillment and long-term satisfaction.

"Success isn't always about being the best; it's about always trying to be better than you were yesterday."

This quote by Kristin Armstrong emphasizes that success is not solely defined by being the greatest in a field, but rather by consistently striving for self-improvement each day. It encourages the pursuit of personal growth over competing against others. The journey towards betterment fosters resilience, determination, and a continuous learning mindset. In essence, it's the effort put into becoming a better version of oneself that ultimately leads to success.

I write about the power of trying, because I want to be okay with failing. I write about generosity because I battle selfishness. I write about joy because I know sorrow. I write about faith because I almost lost mine, and I know what it is to be broken and in need of redemption. I write about gratitude because I am thankful - for all of it.

- Kristin Armstrong

Thankful, I Write, Almost, Faith

When the seasons shift, even the subtle beginning, the scent of a promised change, I feel something stir inside me. Hopefulness? Gratitude? Openness? Whatever it is, it's welcome.

- Kristin Armstrong

Beginning, Seasons, Shift, Stir

It's easy to lose sight of God when life is sweet and easy, but there is something awesome about despair, and it is the closeness of God when we are at our weakest.

- Kristin Armstrong

Lose, Weakest, About, Closeness

It's not only moving that creates new starting points. Sometimes all it takes is a subtle shift in perspective, an opening of the mind, an intentional pause and reset, or a new route to start to see new options and new possibilities.

- Kristin Armstrong

Mind, New, Possibilities, Points

I want to be intentional about my freedom - in choosing it, honoring it, and protecting it. One of the best feelings I know is feeling truly free.

- Kristin Armstrong

Want, About, Protecting, Honoring

I never imagined that divorce would be part of my life history or my family's legacy. When people say that divorce can be more painful than death, I understand why. But like any great trial, God uses everything for good, if we allow Him to heal us.

- Kristin Armstrong

Legacy, My Life, Allow, Uses

We all have our ways of handling fear and managing trying; jumping in or climbing down, a direct approach or a delay, joyful or miserable, a spirit of adventure, or God help me, get this thing over with.

- Kristin Armstrong

Jumping, Direct, Our, Delay

We either live with intention or exist by default.

- Kristin Armstrong

Exist, Either, Default, Intention

As my children leave the protected parameters of the bay called childhood and enter the wavier seas of adolescence, I'm starting to get seasick.

- Kristin Armstrong

Childhood, Seas, Protected, Bay

Times of transition are strenuous, but I love them. They are an opportunity to purge, rethink priorities, and be intentional about new habits. We can make our new normal any way we want.

- Kristin Armstrong

Love, New, Normal, Purge

Life is too sweet and too short to express our affection with just our thumbs. Touch is meant for more than a keyboard.

- Kristin Armstrong

More, Keyboard, Meant, Affection

Before I got divorced, I was personally unfamiliar with trial, or at least trial of serious, heart-wrenching proportions. I figured that life went smoothly if you tried hard, and if you messed up, or things weren't working out, you just tried harder.

- Kristin Armstrong

Before, Least, Figured, Smoothly

Running fills a need so we make fewer demands on others. Running reveals the roots of negative thinking, so the weeds can be pulled. Running reconnects the soul to the source, inspiring hope and creativity.

- Kristin Armstrong

Soul, Need, Pulled, Fills

Running fills the cup that has to pour out for others. Running feeds the soul that has a responsibility to nourish. Running sets the anchor that limits the drift of the day. Running clears the mind that has a myriad of challenges to solve. Running tends to the self so that selfishness can subside.

- Kristin Armstrong

Soul, Challenges, Out, Fills

Sometimes when we have so much going on, it's easy to forsake the things that seem like personal luxuries - for example, our morning run. But it isn't a luxury at all, when it is the thing that allows us and empowers us to face everything else.

- Kristin Armstrong

Run, Sometimes, Luxuries, Forsake

Typically creative people are usually not clock-slaves or list-makers, so the idea of enforcing goals and deadlines can be somewhat daunting.

- Kristin Armstrong

People, Idea, Enforcing, Deadlines

Parents walk a fine line between discipline and grace - values have to hold even when circumstances change or call for compromise or compassion. It's the ultimate challenge to be both firm and fluid, soft and strong, yielding yet rock solid.

- Kristin Armstrong

Strong, Values, Line, Yielding

I run hills anytime I really have to think.

- Kristin Armstrong

Think, Run, Anytime, Hills

When everything is moving and shifting, the only way to counteract chaos is stillness. When things feel extraordinary, strive for ordinary. When the surface is wavy, dive deeper for quieter waters.

- Kristin Armstrong

Chaos, Surface, Waters, Stillness

I love the big fresh starts, the clean slates like birthdays and new years, but I also really like the idea that we can get up every morning and start over.

- Kristin Armstrong

Love, Birthday, Over, Birthdays

Runners, by nature, are intentional people and normally pretty light on our feet.

- Kristin Armstrong

Nature, Feet, Pretty, Normally

The time I spend in the morning - praying, sipping coffee, and coming up with my list - is a ritual I relish. I have done it for so long now that I subconsciously measure whether or not the things I'm doing match with what I should be doing, what I want to be doing, and the life I want to live.

- Kristin Armstrong

Long, Doing, Subconsciously, Relish

When I forget who I am, I remind myself by finding my stride. I remember that I am strong, free, and loved, and that with God's help I can weather whatever comes.

- Kristin Armstrong

Strong, Myself, I Remember, Stride

Runners and yogis are alike in lots of ways, and not just because some of us need yoga to unkink what running jams. Runners and yogis are also alike because of this tortoise shell idea, this 'home' we can access inside ourselves.

- Kristin Armstrong

Some, Access, Idea, Runners

Disappointment is a sticky one, because no one can steal contentment, joy, gratitude, or peace - we have to give it away.

- Kristin Armstrong

Disappointment, Give, Away, Sticky

Circumstances in life often take us places that we never intended to go. We visit some places of beauty, others of pain and desolation.

- Kristin Armstrong

Pain, Circumstances, Some, Desolation

Freedom is not the absence of obligation or restraint, but the freedom of movement within healthy, chosen parameters.

- Kristin Armstrong

Freedom, Absence, Within, Parameters

Whether I'm running, working, relating, parenting, learning - whatever I'm doing, I want to surround myself with people who push me.

- Kristin Armstrong

Doing, Want, Relating, Surround

The best thing to do when you find yourself in a hurting or vulnerable place is to surround yourself with the strongest, finest, most positive people you know.

- Kristin Armstrong

Positive, Best, People, Surround

Pause today and notice something you have worked hard on and recognize yourself for it. Acknowledge your effort.

- Kristin Armstrong

Today, Acknowledge, Worked, Notice

If your husband asks what you think, tell him. If you have a preference, voice it. If you have a question, ask it. If you want to cry, bawl. If you need help, raise your hand and jump up and down.

- Kristin Armstrong

Voice, Think, Question, Up And Down

I think, as most of us do, I put such high expectations on myself that this spills over onto other people. And not everyone is wired this way. Some people can shrug expectations off their shoulders like a cardigan, remaining cool and breezy. Others wear them like a parka with a stuck zipper, hot and stifling.

- Kristin Armstrong

Shoulders, Some, Wired, Stuck

I find significance in all kinds of small details when I run; I'm hyper aware of my surroundings, the sensations in my body, and the thoughts running through my mind. Everything is clearer, heightened.

- Kristin Armstrong

Thoughts, Small, Through, Clearer

Real connection and intimacy is like a meal, not a sugar fix.

- Kristin Armstrong

Intimacy, Fix, Meal, Sugar

One of the best things about good mothers is that they remind their children to take care of themselves.

- Kristin Armstrong

Good, Best, About, Remind

To me, there is no greater way to achieve clarity than to run alone, or share miles with a trusted friend.

- Kristin Armstrong

Alone, Clarity, Achieve, Trusted

I think I run my strongest when I run with joy, with gratitude, with focus, with grace.

- Kristin Armstrong

Joy, Think, I Think, Strongest

Every year, I appreciate life more because of the deeper understanding of what it took to get this far.

- Kristin Armstrong

Year, More, Took, Deeper

No matter who is watching or paying the paycheck, we are ultimately each our own boss.

- Kristin Armstrong

Boss, Own, Matter, Paying

I realize that I am typically vulnerable only when and where and how much it suits me. I can choose my writer words and even go back and edit.

- Kristin Armstrong

Words, Go, Edit, Vulnerable

When we focus on our pain, our ache deepens.

- Kristin Armstrong

Focus, Pain, Our, Aches

The things I write about are the things that I am passionate about, interested in, and fighting for in my life.

- Kristin Armstrong

My Life, Passionate, I Write, Fighting

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.

- Kristin Armstrong

Love, Gratitude, Tide, Disappointment

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