value of false quotes...

What are you more drawn to...words of inspiration, or a life of inspiration?

I love a good quote as much as anyone - especially when it's authentic.  😉

On the other hand, how much focus do we put on a catchy phrase, a feel-good mantra, or even having the "right" thing to say, rather than looking closely at our choices and actions, and how these "speak" for themselves?  

Recently I'd come across a quote attributed to Harriet Tubman.  I emailed it to myself and intended to share it with you today.  However, like so many things these days spread on social media (or even apps, in this case), it turned out to be false. 

There is no direct link between the statement I found and any of the specific quotes on record from Harriet Tubman.  

What's most important, however, extends far beyond the oversimplification of an inspirational sentence apparently created in 2007! 

In researching the quote, I was reminded again of Harriet Tubman's life story - her courage and determination, against all risks and all odds, speaks for itself. 

She probably did say many inspirational and quote-worthy things.  What says the most, however, is the actions she took to bring herself, and then dozens of other enslaved friends and families to freedom.  Her actions undoubtedly changed and saved lives from her own escape from enslavement to her work on the underground railroad and through the civil war. 

Even early atrocious abuse with injuries causing permanent damage and lifelong effects didn't deter her choices and impact.  

While details of the accounts of Harriet Tubman's life vary, the profound inspiration of her life and actions remain consistent.  She lived her life in a way that made a difference, not just to her own safety or comfort, but to the improvement of the world around her.  Now THAT is an inspiration! 

Whenever you feel like your life is inadequate, the odds are stacked against you making an impact, or the risk is too great, may you be inspired by the lives of people like Harriet Tubman.

While the quote from Harriet Tubman cannot be attributed to her, her life speaks volumes more than a simple quote. For a couple samples overviews of her life (and the distinctions between accounts) you can explore here or here.

You matter.  You can make a difference.  I'm so thankful you're here.