Are you looking for some inspiration? Perhaps you are lacking motivation at the moment and sometimes you look to others for encouragement? Who better to share some inspirational quotes than from the incredible Stephen Hawking.
Stephen Hawking was an English cosmologist, author, theoretical physicist as well as the Director of Research at the University of Cambridge’s Centre for Theoretical Cosmology.
Stephen Hawking was known for his groundbreaking work with relativity and black holes. He also became the author of many science books, including the bestseller: ‘A Brief History of Time’, which sold over 10 million copies in 20 years.
Not only was Stephen an intelligent and nobleman, but he also fought a life-changing disease. At the age of 17, Stephen was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, and the doctors gave him 2 and a half years to live. Despite this, Stephen married and had three children with Jane Wilde then graduated from University with honors.
At the age of 76, Stephen passed away after a long battle with the rare form of motor neuron disease. It’s safe to say that Stephen Hawking was an incredibly inspiring and motivating man.
Let’s take a look at some of his greatest quotes to help you stay motivated and achieve your dreams.
Many people have tried to describe the deep and intense feelings of depression throughout the years, usually through creative outlets like poetry, music, art and, film.
It was none other than Stephen Hawking who made this powerful speech to the Royal Institute in London, England, as he compared the mental illness to black holes:
“The message of this lecture is that black holes ain’t as black as they are painted. They are not the eternal prisons they were once thought. Things can get out of a black hole both on the outside and possibly to another universe. So if you feel you are in a black hole, don’t give up; there’s a way out.”
With a little bit more research on black holes, this analogy is very accurate and, potentially, helpful to anyone currently suffering from mental illness.
Nasa’s website further describes and explains the science surrounding Black Holes.
“A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. Because no light can get out, people can’t see black holes. They are invisible.”
With stigma still surrounding mental health issues, people often feel invisible in their struggle. Hawking’s, however, described how that no matter how invisible or trapped you feel, there is always a way out of the darkness.
Also part of the 2016 Reith Lectures program, Hawking was asked a series of questions, one of which directly asked him about his personal struggle with Motor Neurone Disease.
A 17-year-old asked him, “What inspired you to keep on going despite all the rough times in your life?”.
“I think my work and a sense of humor have kept me going. When I turned 21 my expectations were reduced to zero. You probably know this already because there’s been a movie about it. In this situation, it was important that I came to appreciate what I did have. Although I was unfortunate to get motor neurone disease, I have been very fortunate in almost everything else. I have been lucky to work in theoretical physics at a fascinating time, and it’s one of the few areas in which my disability was not a serious handicap. It’s also important not to become angry, no matter how difficult life may seem, because you can lose all hope if you can’t laugh at yourself and life in general.”
Have a look at this insightful quiz that can help you to identify any abundance blocks that could be holding you back from receiving great abundance in your life.
As Stephen Hawking’s journey shows, life has so much to teach us and there are so many possibilities available. Perhaps you are struggling with achieving your goals, or you feel that something may be stopping you from reaching success?