33 Quotes & Sayings By Andy Andrews

Andy Andrews is the author of several bestselling books, including The Knight, The Magic, and The Guide. He has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Silver Plaque Award from the International Association of Lions Clubs, the Pat Conroy Award for Songwriting Excellence by the National Association of Songwriters, and the Academic Achievement Award by the American Library Association.

1
If one makes a mistake, then an apology is usually sufficient to get things back on an even keel. However-and this is a big ‘however’- most people do not ever know why their apology did not seem to have any effect. It is simply that they did not make a mistake; they made a choice…and never understood the difference between the two. Andy Andrews
2
Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases.. When you focus on the things you need, you'll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don't have, you will soon be concentrating on other things that you had forgotten you don't have-and feel worse! If you set your mind on loss, you are more likely to lose.. But a grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life. . Andy Andrews
3
Everybody wants to be on the mountaintop, but if you'll remember, mountaintops are rocky and cold. There is no growth on the top of a mountain. Sure, the view is great, but what's a view for? A view just gives us a glimpse of our next destination-our next target. But to hit that target, we must come off the mountain, go through the valley, and begin to climb the next slope. It is in the valley that we slog through the lush grass and rich soil, learning and becoming what enables us to summit life's next peak. Andy Andrews
4
Despite popular belief to the contrary, there is absolutely no power in intention. The seagull may intend to fly away, may decide to do so, may talk with the other seagulls about how wonderful it is to fly, but until the seagull flaps his wings and takes to the air, he is still on the dock. There’s no difference between that gull and all the others. Likewise, there is no difference in the person who intends to do things differently and the one who never thinks about it in the first place. Have you ever considered how often we judge ourselves by our intentions while we judge others by their actions? Yet intention without action is an insult to those who expect the best from you. Andy Andrews
5
One way to define wisdom is the ability to see, into the future, the consequences of your choices in the present. That ability can give you a completely different perspective on what the future might look like. Andy Andrews
6
See, the ‘small stuff’ is what makes up the larger picture of our lives. Many people are like you, young man. But their perspective is distorted. They ignore ‘small stuff, ’ claiming to have an eye on the bigger picture, never understanding that the bigger picture is composed of nothing more than-are you ready?- ‘small stuff’. Andy Andrews
7
While it is true that most people never see or understand the difference they make, or sometimes only imagine their actions having a tiny effect, every single action a person takes has far-reaching consequences. Andy Andrews
8
Wisdom can be gathered on your downtime. Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television. Of course, bad information is gathered in your downtime too. Bad information that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television. One of wisdom's greatest benefits, is accurate discernment- the learned ability to immediately tell right from wrong. Good from evil. Acceptable from unacceptable. Time well spent from time wasted. The right decision from the wrong decision. And many times this is simply a matter of having the correct perspective. One way to define wisdom is THE ABILITY TO SEE, INTO THE FUTURE, THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR CHOICES IN THE PRESENT. That ability can give you a completely different perspective on what the future might look like.. with a degree of intelligence and a hint of wisdom, most people can tell the difference between good and bad. However, it takes a truly wise person to discern the oh-so-thin line between good and best. And that line..[gives you the] perspective that allows you to see clearly the long-term consequences of your choices. Andy Andrews
Remember, young man, experience is not the best teacher. Other...
9
Remember, young man, experience is not the best teacher. Other people's experience is the best teacher. By reading about the lives of great people, you can unlock the secrets to what made them great. Andy Andrews
10
It’s obvious you kids are smart-school and good teachers will do that for you-but wisdom is something altogether different. Wisdom can be gathered in your downtime. Wisdom that can change the very course of your life will come from the people you are around, the books you read, and the things you listen to or watch on radio or television. Andy Andrews
When you know that everything matters–that every move counts as...
11
When you know that everything matters–that every move counts as much as any other–you will begin living a life of permanent purpose. Andy Andrews
My life - my personality, my habits, even my speech...
12
My life - my personality, my habits, even my speech - is a combination of the books I choose to read, the people I choose to listen to, and the thoughts I choose to tolerate in my mind Andy Andrews
Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply...
13
Those who are critical of my goals and dreams simply do not understand the higher purpose to which I have been called. Andy Andrews
14
Our choices now - this week, this month, this year - are very sticky. Once made, their effects never go away. Rather, those choices about how we think and what we do are a constant presence. Every thought, every action is a choice, and even now the choices you have made in your life thus far are shifting and combining in order to create who you really are. Therefore, simple logic says that by paying careful attention to our choices from this point forward, we can create a future we choose instead of a future that 'happens. Andy Andrews
15
Self discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t necessarily want to do, to get a result you would really like to have. Andy Andrews
16
Light always trumps darkness. It always has, and it always will. Therefore.. if you believe that your world is darkening..if you believe that the culture of your nation is growing dimmer by the year..don't blame it on the dark! Darkness is only doing what darkness does." If darkness is winning the battles, my friend, it is because light is not doing it's job. You are light. So wake up. Wake up. . Andy Andrews
17
The bottom line on the declaration, 'This is part of our culture, ' is this: At its best, this is a choice made with little or no critical thinking about future results. At its worst, it is merely an excuse to do what one wants to do. It is selfish, leaderless, pack behavior with unconsidered consequences that ultimately destroy families, neighborhoods, cities, and before you know it, generations. Andy Andrews
18
The culture you live in today is the culture you have allowed. That is true of your family, and it is true of your country." Never forget that you will shape the culture in which you exist, or the culture you allow will determine how and - maybe someday - if you are allowed to exist. Andy Andrews
19
Every man of character will have that character questioned. Every man of honor and courage will be faced with unjust criticism, but never forget that unjust criticism has no impact whatsoever upon the truth. And the only sure way to avoid criticism is to do nothing and be nothing. Andy Andrews
20
If you can understand and believe that you have made choices that took you to a place you don't like, doesn't it make logical sense thatyou can now make choices that will take you to a place you do like?"..." So now your game becomes one of seeking wisdom and harnessing the power of that wisdom in order to make better choices. Andy Andrews
21
There are no hopeless situations, sweetheart, only people who have grown hopeless about them. You still have choices you can make. Andy Andrews
22
We all feel better when we are grateful. There is great wisdom in understanding that no matter the situation, there is always something for which we can choose to be grateful. Andy Andrews
23
My life will not be an apology. It will be a statement Andy Andrews
24
What would you think if I told you that, yes, your bad choices and decisions have had a part in your ending up under this pier, but beyond that, under this pier is exactly where you should be in order for a future to occur that you can’t even imagine at this point? Andy Andrews
25
If your situtation is the fault of anything or anyone else...there is very little hope and absolutely zero power over your own life." Responsibility is about hope and control. And...who doesn't want hope for a greater future that their choices control? ...Most folks look for their car keys with more energy than they search for the wisdom that can change their lives. Andy Andrews
26
You have been created in order that you might make a difference. You have within you the power to change the world. Andy Andrews
27
The difference in the past and history is that the past is set in stone history is just an account from the guy with the strongest axe Andy Andrews
28
Well, that's why smart people get tripped up with worry and fear. Worry...fear...is just a misuse of the creative imagination that has been placed in each of us. Because we are smart and creative, we imagine all the things that could happen, that might happen, that will happen if this or that happens. See what I mean? Andy Andrews
29
I've got to be willing to enter into and do battle with the confusion in order to reach the victory on the other side. It's like, I am here, confusion is in front of me, and just beyond confusion waits the answer or skill I need to take my life in a new and incredible direction. Andy Andrews
30
I am a teacher and the reason I'm a teacher is because I'm learning as hard as I can. I'm not any different from anybody else. I am searching and having some success finding answers. Andy Andrews
31
I believe that any type of education can be great, but an education about ourselves can create something wonderful. I am a comedian, but people have called me a motivational speaker. I don't really consider myself that at all. Andy Andrews
32
When I was 19 years old, both of my parents died in the same year; my mom of cancer and my dad in a car accident. Through the next two or three years and a series of bad decisions - all my own, I might add - I ended up literally homeless, before that was even a word. I even slept occasionally under a pier on the Gulf Coast. Andy Andrews