Thrive Quotes

“The realms of dating, marriage, and sex are all marketplaces, and we are the products. Some may bristle at the idea of people as products on a marketplace, but this is an incredibly prevalent dynamic. Consider the labor marketplace, where people are also the product. Just as in the labor marketplace, one party makes an offer to another, and based on the terms of this offer, the other person can choose to accept it or walk. What makes the dating market so interesting is that the products we are marketing, selling, buying, and exchanging are essentially our identities and lives.

As with all marketplaces, every item in stock has a value, and that value is determined by its desirability. However, the desirability of a product isn’t a fixed thing—the desirability of umbrellas increases in areas where it is currently raining while the desirability of a specific drug may increase to a specific individual if it can cure an illness their child has, even if its wider desirability on the market has not changed.

In the world of dating, the two types of desirability we care about most are:
- Aggregate Desirability: What the average demand within an open marketplace would be for a relationship with a particular person.
- Individual Desirability: What the desirability of a relationship with an individual is from the perspective of a specific other individual.

Imagine you are at a fish market and deciding whether or not to buy a specific fish:
- Aggregate desirability = The fish’s market price that day
- Individual desirability = What you are willing to pay for the fish

Aggregate desirability is something our society enthusiastically emphasizes, with concepts like “leagues.” Whether these are revealed through crude statements like, “that guy's an 8,” or more politically correct comments such as, “I believe she may be out of your league,” there is a tacit acknowledgment by society that every individual has an aggregate value on the public dating market, and that value can be judged at a glance. When what we have to trade on the dating market is often ourselves, that means that on average, we are going to end up in relationships with people with an aggregate value roughly equal to our own (i.e., individuals “within our league”). Statistically speaking, leagues are a real phenomenon that affects dating patterns. Using data from dating websites, the University of Michigan found that when you sort online daters by desirability, they seem to know “their place.” People on online dating sites almost never send a message to someone less desirable than them, and on average they reach out to prospects only 25% more desirable than themselves.

The great thing about these markets is how often the average desirability of a person to others is wildly different than their desirability to you. This gives you the opportunity to play arbitrage with traits that other people don’t like, but you either like or don’t mind. For example, while society may prefer women who are not overweight, a specific individual within the marketplace may prefer obese women, or even more interestingly may have no preference. If a guy doesn’t care whether his partner is slim or obese, then he should specifically target obese women, as obesity lowers desirability on the open marketplace, but not from his perspective, giving him access to women who are of higher value to him than those he could secure within an open market.”
― Malcolm Collins, The Pragmatist's Guide to Relationships

“Feel what you want to but never be consumed by it.”
― Kelly Markey, Don't Just Fly, SOAR: The Inspiration and tools you need to rise above adversity and create a life by design

“It’s an insane venture to live,
to thrive, to create,
to know, be known, to care,
to love, be loved
in these times in all times
against all odds
and darkest forces.”
― Shellen Lubin

“Business Paradigm Shifting empowers companies to rewrite their future, not just react to the present.”
― Hendrith Vanlon Smith Jr.

“The truth is, you can’t sustainably force life. You must let what is meant to be, unfold. You must do what feels good and makes you come alive, that’s how you thrive.”
― Kristen Butler, The Comfort Zone: Create a Life You Really Love with Less Stress and More Flow

“Dear Daughter,
Learn to pray and you will know how to thrive without fail.”
― Gift Gugu Mona, Dear Daughter: Short and Sweet Messages for a Queen

“Corrupt police officers thrive in a poor customer service environment!”
― Steven Magee

“Newspapers thrive on attention. They reproduce on daily attention. The next day they only exist because we gave them attention the day previously.”
― Ryan Gelpke, 2017: Our Summer of Reunions: Braai Seasons with Howl Gang (Howl Gang Legend)

“Nature gave us tools that’ll help us thrive and advance in life. Why not take advantage of this?”
― Robin S. Baker

“Creating a Safe Space


Surround yourself with all the positive things,
being in the environment that embraces you.
Doing the things to create peace.
Doing the things to allow you to have peace.
Doing the things that are
good for you.
good for others,
good for nature,
good for all.
Being with those who grant you peace.
Being with supportive people who
want you to be safe and well.
A safe space is a free space
to share with all those who care.

by Tina Leung: I Face Forward poem”
― Tina Leung, I Face Forward

“If you’re living a reality you don’t like, chances are you’re living out beliefs that are not serving you—beliefs that limit your creativity, your inspiration, and your ability to thrive.”
― Kristen Butler, The Comfort Zone: Create a Life You Really Love with Less Stress and More Flow

“I like to do my part in helping others overcome, thrive, and win. What is the point of absorbing all of this information and holding it all to myself? That is not an abundant way to live.”
― Robin S. Baker

“Until she lost and let others down and felt the weight of responsibility press onto her shoulders, she couldn't lecture him on only seeking sunshine and completely forgetting that the world also needed rain to thrive.

Darkness was never as appealing as the light to most, but that didn't mean it was any less integral to life. Too much sunshine withered the soul.

Balance was the key.”
― Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen

“In the complex interplay of technology and society, online privacy emerges as a defining factor in preserving personal agency. It's about reclaiming control over the narrative of our digital lives, ensuring that our online interactions remain a reflection of our choices. As we traverse the vast expanse of the internet, the importance of safeguarding online privacy becomes more evident, urging us to foster a digital landscape where individuals can thrive without compromising their autonomy.”
― James William Steven Parker

“Comfort is an ever-ending hole.”
― Goitsemang Mvula

“You can't thrive if you keep hiding in the shadows. For this reason, you have got to turn on your light a little bit.”
― Michael Bassey Johnson, Stamerenophobia

“You have walked through fire and survived; now you will rise from the ashes and thrive.”
― Phoenix Grace

“Sometimes you cannot survive and still be who you were.”
― Nghi Vo, Mammoths at the Gates

“It is Thanksgiving time, take some time to celebrate the ones who let you laugh, the ones who make you smile, the ones who help you rise, the ones who teach you important lessons in life, and the ones who encourage you to thrive.”
― Gift Gugu Mona, The Gift of Thanksgiving

“Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s how you recharge your power to create, lead, and thrive.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Rest isn’t a step back; it’s the launchpad for clarity, focus, and unstoppable energy. Prioritize it, and watch your productivity soar.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“You can’t build your dreams on an empty tank. Rest isn’t indulgent—it’s essential for your success.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Think of rest as sharpening your saw. The sharper the blade, the smoother the cut. Rest restores your edge.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. Rest is how you protect your passion, purpose, and progress.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“When you rest, you realign. Stop running on fumes and start achieving with intention and energy.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Rest isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing more of what matters—with clarity and joy.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Rest doesn’t require a day off—it starts with small, intentional breaks woven into your routine.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Your morning coffee deserves your full attention. Sip it slowly, no multitasking. A moment of presence sets the tone for your day.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Reclaim your energy with tiny shifts—pause between tasks, take a midday walk, or unplug before bed. Rest can fit into any schedule.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women

“Rest isn’t just downtime; it’s an upgrade. Simple rituals like journaling or stretching can keep you sharp and energized.”
― Felecia Etienne, Overcoming Mediocrity: Limitless Women