Now, a good education is about so much more than just learning geometry or memorizing dates in history. All of that is important, but an education is also about exploring new things -- discovering what makes you come alive, and then being your best at whatever you choose

Michelle Obama

The only limit to the height of your achievements is the reach of your dreams and your willingness to work hard for them.

Michelle Obama

achievement hard-work dream

Success isn't about how much money you make, it's about the difference you make in people's lives.

Michelle Obama

inspirational-life success motivational

One of the lessons that I grew up with was to always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody else says distract you from your goals. And so when I hear about negative and false attacks, I really don't invest any energy in them, because I know who I am.

Michelle Obama

badass who-i-am inspirational

You have to practice success. Success doesn't just show up. If you aren't practicing success today, you won't wake up in 20 years and be successful, because you won't have developed the habits of success, which are small things like finishing what you start, putting a lot of effort into everything you do, being on time, treating people well.

Michelle Obama

successful practice years

We should always have three friends in our lives-one who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we've cleared the way.

Michelle Obama

three journey looks

There is no magic to achievement. It's really about hard work, choices, and persistence.

Michelle Obama

persistence hard-work inspirational

Always stay true to yourself and never let what somebody says distract you from your goals.

Michelle Obama

stay-true-to-yourself goal inspirational

Do not bring people in your life who weigh you down. And trust your instincts ... good relationships feel good. They feel right. They don't hurt. They're not painful. That's not just with somebody you want to marry, but it's with the friends that you choose. It's with the people you surround yourselves with.

Michelle Obama

strong-women inspiring inspirational

Every girl, no matter where she lives, deserves the opportunity to develop the promise inside of her.

Michelle Obama

girl opportunity promise

When you've worked hard, and done well, and walked through that doorway of opportunity...you do not slam it shut behind you...you reach back, and you give other folks the same chances that helped you succeed.

Michelle Obama

badass opportunity giving

We've got a responsibility to live up to the legacy of those who came before us by doing all that we can to help those who come after us.

Michelle Obama

feminism responsibility inspiring

Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.

Michelle Obama

girl limits want

I admit it: I am louder than the average human being and have no fear of speaking my mind. These traits don't come from the color of my skin but from an unwavering belief in my own intelligence.

Michelle Obama

speaking-my-mind color average

When women and girls rise,

Michelle Obama

community girl country

No matter who you are, no matter where you come from, you are beautiful.

Michelle Obama

where-you-come matter beautiful

You may not always have a comfortable life and you will not always be able to solve all of the world's problems at once but don't ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious and hope can take on a life of its own.

Michelle Obama

hope positive graduation

Do not die in the history of your past hurts and past experiences, but live in the now and future of your destiny.

Michelle Obama

destiny hurt past

Walk away from 'friendships' that make you feel small and insecure, and seek out people who inspire you and support you

Michelle Obama

insecure support-you people

As women, we must stand up for ourselves. We must stand up for each other. We must stand up for justice for all.

Michelle Obama

justice-for-all justice

My message to women: Do what makes you feel good, because there'll always be someone who thinks you should do it differently. Whether your choices are hits or misses, at least they're your own.

Michelle Obama

feel-good choices thinking