Robin Williams was a stand up comedian, turned actor. He sadly took his own life in August of 2014. I grew up with Robin Williams and I laughed with the rest of America as he entertained us with his quirky eccentricities and hilarious insights. He came a long way from his prior drug addiction but in the end his humorous outlook didn’t save him from the horrors of his own insight. His death shocked the world and reminded us that EVERYONE needs support and love, no matter how ‘strong’ or ‘cheery’ they may seem. He said and did a lot of crazy stuff in his day, but what made his high energy observations so funny was the insight he afforded. He was anything but a dunce. Here are some of his more memorable quotes to cheer you up, think, and stop taking life too seriously.

“You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.”

He would know this better than most, but its true. What makes a ‘normal’ person? I don’t even want to try to quantify it but I bet it’s boring and devoid of creativity. Embrace yourself and all that makes you the beautiful and distinct person you are!

“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”

The pen is mightier than the sword has been proven time after time, but this modern age solidifies it. Ideas and the words that give them life and definition are a vital part of our technological age. A well chosen word can bring emotional relief to thousands of suffering people.

“Tweets? That stuff kills conversation. And people taking pictures with their phone or recording you, sometimes surreptitiously, is creepy. They come up and just start talking to you, and you can see the red light on their phone.”

This is not only a remark on how social media is an entirely overrated phenomena but how people are always trying to get something from you. Social media has its time and place but it should only ever be an aspect of your communication, not the sum. Go out and make a new friend in a coffee shop or gather your friends for a walk!

So often people are trying to get something from us. A reaction, a phone number, a friend or even a dollar. Be wary as you walk through life.

“I used to think that the worst thing in life was to end up alone. It’s not. The worst thing in life is to end up with people who make you feel alone.”

At least when you are alone you have room for someone new once you find them. Being trapped in a damaging or negative relationship can consume you if you aren’t careful. Remember that being alone and happy is better than having emotional hyenas at your dinner table.

“I do believe in love; it’s wonderful – especially love (the) third time around, it’s even more precious; it’s kind of amazing.”

Hahahaha! For anyone losing faith in love this one’s for you! Love comes in all forms and sizes, though it always has similar themes. These similarities doesn’t mean you are experiencing the same thing as you did in the past. Give love a chance!

“Reality: What a concept!”

Pure Williams. We all live in different realities, and sometimes we forget that we can change ours with a thought. Even better pull your head out your cloud and visit Earth every so often! It’s gotten a lot better than you remember, I promise.

“I’m sorry, if you were right, I’d agree with you.”

Sticking to your guns is an important characteristic for personal growth. Have faith in your decisions and when that isn’t enough have faith in your ability to roll with the punches. Life is about sustainable forward momentum, not crying over split milk or walking on eggshells.

“Sometimes over things that I did, movies that didn’t turn out very well – you go, ‘Why did you do that?’ But in the end, I can’t regret them because I met amazing people. There was always something that was worth it.”

Regret will try to creep into your life and mess up your day no matter what you do. The only defense we have to remain focused on the present, do our best and remember all the good that occurs in every scenario.

“The essential truth is that sometimes you’re worried that they’ll find out it’s a fluke, that you don’t really have it. You’ve lost the muse or – the worst dread – you never had it at all. I went through all that madness early on.”

Having faith in yourself is crucial. Keeping this faith is made easier when you don’t listen to the expectations of others. Do what is right by you and trust your gut in times of need. Even if a form of success in your life was a fluke, enjoy it while you got it and have gratitude you got to try something new.

“Please, don’t worry so much. Because in the end, none of us have very long on this Earth. Life is fleeting.”

The Buddha said that the problem is, that everyone thinks they have time. We have our whole lives in front of us until we don’t. Our ‘whole life’ is a series of moments. Don’t waste this finite number on the small stuff, you still have so much to experience!

“You will have bad times, but they will always wake you up to the stuff you weren’t paying attention to.”

You can interpret this a couple of ways. I choose to see this as, even amidst your darkest day, if you pay attention outside of your suffering you’ll see so much to be grateful for.

“Medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love: these are what we stay alive for.”

We get so wrapped up in the concepts of life, that sometimes we loose sight of whats important. Do what you feel is right to make your life long and productive but don’t forget the basic spice of life, love. Have fun, cry with friends, go skinny dipping in a lake! A life well lived is pockmarked with friendships and acts of compassion and fun.

“See, the problem is that God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time.”

This one is too fun. Don’t ever forget your desires but don’t let your sexuality become the sum of your personality.