Motivational Quotes for the Push That Lifted Me Higher

Mar 04, 2025 - 05:02PM - Writer: Olivia

Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, but it’s often the unexpected pushes—the encouragement from a friend, a kind word from a stranger, or even a personal epiphany—that lift us when we’re stuck. These moments of motivation don’t just move us forward; they elevate us to new heights, helping us discover strength we didn’t know we had. 
This blog is a tribute to those catalysts of change. Below, I’ve gathered 10 powerful quotes that inspire gratitude for the forces that push us up, paired with reflections on how they resonate with this theme. Let’s celebrate the lift-givers in our lives—external and internal—and thank them for the heights we’ve reached.

1. The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. – Mahatma Gandhi

This quote reminds us that sometimes the push that lifts us comes from helping someone else. When we shift focus from our struggles to supporting others, we often find clarity and purpose. The gratitude here goes to those who inspire us to serve—whether they’re the ones we help or the ones who model selflessness. It’s a reciprocal lift: they push us toward meaning, and we rise together.
When we shift focus from our struggles to supporting others, we often find clarity and purpose
When we shift focus from our struggles to supporting others, we often find clarity and purpose

2. You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. – Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou’s words highlight the inner push we summon in tough times. The lift comes from resilience, a force we might not recognize until adversity strikes. I’m grateful for the challenges that taught me this lesson and the people who stood by me, nudging me to choose courage over defeat. They didn’t remove the obstacles—they showed me I could climb over them.

3. Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher. – Oprah Winfrey

Oprah nails it: the company we keep can be the push that elevates us. This quote is a call to thank those cheerleaders in our lives—the friends, mentors, or family who see our potential and refuse to let us settle. Their belief becomes the wind beneath our wings, and every step up is a testament to their support. Gratitude here is for their unwavering faith in us.
This quote is a call to thank those cheerleaders in our lives—the friends, mentors, or family who see our potential and refuse to let us settle
 This quote is a call to thank those cheerleaders in our lives—the friends, mentors, or family who see our potential and refuse to let us settle

4. It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it. – Lou Holtz

This gem shifts the focus to perspective—the internal push that reframes burdens into opportunities. I thank the moments of insight that taught me to adjust my grip on life’s challenges. Sometimes the lift comes from a coach, a book, or a quiet realization, nudging us to stand taller under the weight. It’s a subtle but transformative shove upward. 

5. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs

Passion is a powerful push, and Steve Jobs captures its essence here. When we find what sets our soul on fire, it’s like a rocket booster lifting us beyond mediocrity. I’m grateful to those who encouraged me to chase what I love—teachers, role models, or even my own stubborn heart. They pushed me to aim higher by aligning my efforts with joy.

6. We rise by lifting others. – Robert Ingersoll

This mirrors Gandhi’s sentiment but flips it: the act of lifting someone else becomes our own elevation. It’s a beautiful cycle of mutual motivation. I thank the people I’ve had the privilege to support, because in their growth, I found my own. The push here is reciprocal—each kind word or deed lifts us both a little higher.

7. Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

Self-belief is an internal push that can carry us far, and Roosevelt’s words remind us of its power. The lift comes from that first spark of confidence, often ignited by someone who saw potential in us before we did. My gratitude goes to those early believers—parents, friends, or even a stranger’s nod—who pushed me to trust myself and climb.

8. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.– Winston Churchill

Churchill’s wisdom points to perseverance as the push that lifts us through life’s rollercoaster. The gratitude here is for the voices—internal or external—that urge us to keep going when we stumble. I thank the failures that taught me grit and the encouragers who reminded me that every step forward, no matter how small, is an ascent.

9. What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson celebrates the inner strength that pushes us upward, dwarfing external circumstances. The lift comes from tapping into that reservoir of potential, often with help from those who remind us it’s there. I’m grateful to the quiet moments of reflection and the loud cheers of supporters who helped me see what’s inside—and rise because of it.

10. Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand. – Hayley Williams

This raw, honest quote from Hayley Williams frames setbacks as the push we need to reassess and rise stronger. The lift isn’t immediate—it’s the slow climb after hitting the ground. I thank the tough lessons and the people who didn’t let me stay down, pushing me to stand taller than before.

Conclusion 

These quotes weave a tapestry of gratitude for the pushes that lift us—whether they come from others, ourselves, or life’s unpredictable turns. They remind us that every elevation is a gift, often sparked by a force we didn’t see coming. Who or what has pushed you higher? Take a moment to thank them—silently, aloud, or through action. After all, the best way to honor the lift is to keep rising and, in turn, lift others along the way.

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