People who inspire me: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Watching Ken Burns' documentary The Roosevelts gave me a completely new appreciation for Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. I came away deeply impressed not only by what they accomplished, but by the strength of character they displayed through extraordinary adversity. Franklin's determination after being paralysed by polio was remarkable. Rather than allowing it to define him, he developed an inner resilience that helped him lead the United States through both the Great Depression and the Second World War. His optimism, calmness and ability to inspire confidence during times of immense uncertainty made him one of the most consequential leaders of the twentieth century.

I was equally inspired by Eleanor Roosevelt. She was far more than a First Lady; she became one of the great advocates for human rights and social justice. Despite her own difficult upbringing and personal struggles, she dedicated her life to serving others and giving a voice to those who had been overlooked. What impressed me most about the Roosevelts was the way they complemented one another. Franklin provided visionary leadership at moments of national crisis, while Eleanor expanded the nation's moral vision through compassion and courage. Together they showed how resilience, purpose and service can leave a lasting impact on the world.

My favourite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes

• Do one thing every day that scares you.
• The purpose of life afterall is to live it.
• Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.
• Nothing we learn in this world is ever wasted.
• You must do the things you think you cannot do.
• Life has got to be lived – that’s all there is to it.
• It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.
• No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.
• To leave the world richer—that is the ultimate success.
• Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.
• I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.
• If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.
• A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.
• A woman is like a tea bag – you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.
• People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.
• Friendship with ones self is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.
• Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.
• The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.
• Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.
• One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.
• You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’
• Eleanor Roosevelt quotes on Wisdom Trove