How Stephen Hawking can change how you view the world (and yourself!)

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Author: Jonathan Mandel

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Perhaps you haven’t heard of Stephen Hawking. Maybe you have. Stephen Hawking was one of the greatest scientific minds of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. A Cambridge-trained physicist and cosmologist, Hawking revolutionized humanity’s comprehension of the universe.

What was remarkable about Hawking was how he could take such a crushingly complex subject as theoretical physics and explain it in terms that non-scientists (i.e., the public) could understand. That’s an incredible feat in itself!

What was even more remarkable about Stephen Hawking was how he became one of the most prolific thinkers humanity has ever known, while paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, and unable to speak or move any of his limbs.

One would not be remiss to view Mr. Hawking’s existence as tragic: A man of unparalleled brilliance, whose young life was decimated by disease, forcing him to become a living, breathing human ‘vegetable.’

Strangely enough, Hawking achieved his full potential and changed the world forever after losing his ability to perform the most basic of human tasks: talking, moving, eating, etc.

What can one learn from Hawking? Well, quite a lot actually!

As counterintuitive as it may seem, Hawking’s scientific expertise helped to shape a worldview that not only made complete sense but could outright alter the course of one’s life for the absolute better!

The next eight quotes from Stephen Hawking are not only jam-packed with unending wisdom but also help someone reevaluate their perspective on life, achieving a life devoid of fear and brimming with purpose.

Without further ado, here are eight life-changing quotes from the brilliant Stephen Hawking:

1. “However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do and succeed at.”

Life can be very challenging. In fact, it can often be downright heartbreaking. Yet, in the darkness, there is always a ‘light’ that can be found. In other words, no matter how bleak things may seem, there is ALWAYS a path forward! The challenge lies in discovering exactly what that path is!

There are many aspects of life that one simply can’t control. That’s ok. Life is set up that way. Instead of being emotionally paralyzed by situations that are beyond one’s control, it makes far more sense to focus on what you can control.

When you shift your focus to the things and situations that you can change, then you have stumbled upon a critical aspect of success: You have inner power! You have the tools available to change what is bothering you. You are not just a helpless victim of circumstances. Rather, you are inherently a powerful force, and you have the power to change what is bad into something that is good!

2. “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.”

This may come as a nugget of painful wisdom, but the only constant thing in life is change. Life is change. If it weren’t, life would not exist. You are not the same person you were when you were five years old. Your body is different; your mind is different. Everything about you has changed and always will be in a constant state of change. With this idea in mind, one can learn to refocus their mindset on the challenges that they face in life. To be honest, life is quite often very unpredictable. As stated earlier, one never has complete control over all aspects of life.

There are many variables that one simply cannot control. The flip side of that coin is that there are many conditions that one can learn to control, no matter how challenging they may appear. The trick here is to learn to be flexible. When one is flexible and learns to accept challenges as an integral part of life, something extraordinary happens: You develop resilience. Inner strength. Challenges don’t faze you as much. Well, certain situations may not be particularly pleasant, but you accept them as they are, instead of becoming wounded by them.

Regardless, what becomes evident is that through the adaptation (and acceptance) of change, one positions themselves closer and closer to discovering the critical traits needed for personal growth while aligning themselves with the tools needed to maintain survivability and reach higher levels of success.

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3. “Life would be tragic if it weren’t funny.”

I can relate to this quote: Over a year ago, I was a newly minted college graduate with a business degree from a prestigious university. I was also a professional drummer, in demand by local bands, eager to showcase my skills behind the kit. I also had just gotten a brand-new job and was kicking butt at it!

One day, I went to the local CVS to pick up some items, and I saw a woman with a cute little dog standing in line. Being the sucker for animals that I was (and still am), I decided to get down on my knees and pet the dog. For several minutes at that one seemingly innocuous point, my life changed forever: I tore the meniscus in both my knees. Boom! I lose all potential drumming opportunities. Then I lost my brand-new job. Then my dad becomes ill and must go through multiple hospital stays and surgeries back-to-back to back. Three months later, I herniated a disc in my back and neck. One month later, I sprained both my ankles walking down a flight of stairs. Then my cat of 19 years suddenly died. Here I am: Unemployed, with thousands and thousands of dollars in college debt, unable to work, unable to play music anymore.

Running from doctor to doctor, X-ray to X-ray, MRI to MRI.

Sounds tragic, doesn’t it?

If you had said that to me 10 months ago, I would have agreed with you. But something strange happened along the way. I realized that even though my current situation wasn’t wonderful by any means, if I could start to look at everything that happened as crappy, but kind of funny (in a dark humor sense of way), then what I was going through really wasn’t that bad.

This is the point Stephen Hawking was trying to make: Even during the darkest moments of life, one can find humor as a way to cope. By doing this, a person develops inner strength. They learn resiliency. Resiliency grows when a person aligns themselves with laughter and lightheartedness in the face of tragedy. The reality is that a situation is only tragic if you allow it to be.

Let me say that again: A situation is only tragic if you allow it to be.

Consciously adopting humor as an integral part of one’s daily existence shifts a person’s perspective from negativity to positivity. Thus, they can better manage the difficulties that life unceremoniously bestows on all of us. The key here is “better manage” the difficulties in life.

Look, if Stephen Hawking, a man who was deprived of his ability to move, speak, or eat for the rest of his life, could learn to see the humor in a difficult, traumatic situation as an adult in his 20s, then you can too!

4. “People won’t have time for you if you are always angry or complaining.”

Nobody likes a Debbie Downer. That’s a reality of life. It’s one of the reasons why social media has become a dumping ground for people to boast and show off only about positive occurrences in their lives. People pay attention to positivity; they turn away from negativity.

Ever notice how when you used to have Facebook or go on Twitter/X, your friends who always posted depressing stuff usually got far, far less attention than those who posted seemingly positive things? There is a reason for that: People pay attention to positivity; they turn away from negativity.

Except for watching, reading, or watching the news, humans generally don’t like to be immersed in anything ’negative.’ That is especially true when dealing with other humans. People HATE being around negative people. Whether they are consciously aware of it or not, when someone is negative, i.e., they are angry and/or complaining, they are putting out bad vibes. Their energy is negative. They are damaging our health. Humans know that negative energy doesn’t feel good to be around. So, they avoid it as much as they can.

Those who exude negativity create more of just that: negativity. Those who are consistently in a bad mood or ranting about their problems repel people with surprisingly little effort. Those who rely on a negative state of being never achieve the joy of experiencing a positive life.

The natural state of being of any living creature is one of joy. One needs to look no further than to observe children or even their pets. Does your dog sit around, whining about how crappy their life is? Does a young child mope around, crying about how unfair and trivial certain people and situations are in their lives? The answer is NO! Children and animals play. They focus on having fun and enjoying themselves.

Still, that doesn’t mean that becoming an adult means that you must view the glass as half empty or half full. It means you need to find a purpose in life and pursue it, and hopefully end up with a warm meal and a decent paycheck for your hard day’s work.

As Stephen Hawking said, people will absolutely not have any time for you if you are in a foul mood. So, here is a gentle word of advice: Don’t complain or act angry around others. Maintain an air of positivity and goodwill, and you are almost guaranteed to receive the same in return. Remember, you only get what you give out in life. By giving out negativity, you will receive nothing but the same in return. When you give out positivity, you will receive more positivity.

That is the law of life.

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5. “Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet.”

Stephen Hawking believed that one’s perspective [of life] was integral when navigating the challenges that life so often presents all of us. As a physicist, Hawking was keenly aware of the vastness of the universe: the infinite number of stars, planets, galaxies, etc., that made up the cosmos.

While it is not necessary to focus on the “vastness of space,” one can still adopt a ‘big picture’ perspective when it comes to navigating day-to-day life. When one deliberately chooses to embrace a “bigger picture” mentality, life’s challenges do not seem to be so heavy. This is because an individual views challenges as just a component of life rather than a predominant aspect.

There is an underlying sense of freedom when one begins to live life according to this way of thinking: Challenges are not really challenges; problems aren’t so difficult to overcome. There is a recognizable discovery of personal meaning and a sense of confident purpose [in life] when one deliberately chooses to overcome what is testing them. Thus, individuals are empowered by their own inner strength and will to rise, rather than sink into defeat. They are aligned with their own inner strength and power!

6. “We are just an advanced breed of monkeys on a minor planet of a very average star. But we can understand the universe. That makes us very special.”

Hawking believed in the power of humility. As a physicist, he knew how infinitely vast the universe is. In perspective, we as humans are not the theoretical “center of the universe,” so to speak. We are a small, small, small, small part of a cosmic puzzle that is almost beyond our full comprehension.

We are THE one species, out of millions of other species on this planet (and possibly other planets) that possesses the intelligence and creativity needed to comprehend the intricacies of life. We can reason: to explore life through a lens of curiosity and creativity. We have discovered that life has a meaning. It is not merely a happenstance of chance circumstances. Rather, there is an incredible, almost incomprehensible reason for the presence of life.

Thus, our potential as a species is essentially infinite; our ability to acquire knowledge, to be curious, and to exude creativity is infinite.

As a human, you are special. But you are not the center of the universe. Thus, remaining humble is a key to living a substantial life. However, practicing humility does not mean ‘playing small.’ It is the exact opposite: You are a magnificent creation of immeasurable potential.

You are here for a reason, just like all the other billions of members of humanity. Even a small bit of humility is an admirable trait. In a broader sense, the reality is that you have the natural talent to create an extraordinary life. We all do. Your potential is bottomless: you can conceive wonders. It’s up to YOU to tap into that natural potential that resides inside yourself!

7. “However bad life may seem, there is always something you can do.”

Like Hawking’s first quote, life is never entirely hopeless. One can ALWAYS discover a path forward. Always. Even when circumstances seem horrific and daunting, one can always find a “light at the end of the tunnel.” What is important is that a person takes action.

Let’s say that someone is unhappy with their weight. They can choose to be paralyzed by their present state and continue to suffer from feelings of sadness and a scarcity of self-esteem. Or they can take small steps to change their present circumstances. They can start by exercising for a few minutes a day and gradually work up to longer workouts. They can start making small changes to their diet, such as cutting out candies and sweets and eating more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits. They can start prioritizing getting a little more sleep so that their metabolism is running at its optimal level.

Anyone can begin to make small, small steps in a better direction. In fact, that is probably the best way to go. The key here is consistency. When one continually makes small steps for the best, guess what? Their challenges don’t seem so challenging! They begin to rewire their brains to see that what they thought was unattainable is possible. Whatever obstacles were holding them back are quite easy to overcome. The trick here is to maintain action slowly (but methodically).

Remember, small consistent steps lead to incredible results!

8. “Work gives you meaning and purpose, and life is empty without it.”

When I got injured last year, I suddenly found myself with too much time on my hands. I lost my job. Thus, all I had to look forward to was getting up in the morning, sitting around the house, watching television, and feeling sorry for myself and my predicament. Was this a healthy way to live? No, not at all. But this was the circumstance I found myself in. I had lost my purpose in life: Work and music. I was crushed; utterly devastated. However, after a while, when the sadness and depression started to become more severe, I realized that I needed to discover another purpose. This was the only way I could begin to dig myself out of the seemingly bottomless rut I was in.

So, I began to write. A little here; a little there. When I didn’t feel like writing, I went for walks, to physically engage my body (and my mind). Soon, I began to walk more. I worked on my craft; I read books and practiced writing.

Although nothing really replaced the joy, I had in playing music or going to work in the morning, I slowly began to discover a purpose: a real, tangible reason to get up in the morning. Bit by bit, I learned to adapt to life; to flow [with life], rather than to fight against. I learned that purpose is malleable, like almost everything in life: it can change and evolve. What matters is that one keeps on moving forward, instead than reverting backwards or remaining stagnant.

Hawking was a strident believer in remaining both mentally and physically engaged in life. He believed that work was a healthy extension of life- it gave people a way to stay connected to the world around them. Without any kind of physical or mental engagement, life became stagnant. It rang hollow and meaningless. Life IS meaning. That ‘meaning’ is different for every single human soul, but it is still present in every human being that lives on this planet! ANY type of work, whether it is professional, creative, or even just a personal hobby, adds focus to one’s life. It creates fulfillment. People become engaged in what they are doing. When people are engaged in ‘working’ for a purpose, they discover the “meaning” of their life; why they were given the gift of life! This is how individuals become unstoppable: they tap into the ‘purpose’ of their life, which helps to unleash their inner power!

Humans need meaning in their life. Without it, we are lost. Without it, we are detached from a natural state of being. We deprive ourselves of achieving our full potential. It doesn’t have to be that way. Stephen Hawking believed that ANY type of mental or physical work that creates meaning and purpose in an individual was important. Without it, humans languish. They suffer, weaken, and deteriorate.

Find a purpose; find a meaning. No matter how big, small, glamorous, or unglamorous. Find a purpose; find a meaning.

Your Potential is Waiting

The Abundance Approach explores much of the wisdom expounded by great luminaries such as Stephen Hawking and presents it in a thorough yet easy-to-follow manner.

Abundance is your birthright: It is your natural state of being.

What is amazing about The Abundance Approach is that it breaks down the concept of ‘abundance’ into three all-encompassing parts that make up all of You and Your Dreams and Ambitions:

Wholeness: Identity Evolution

Shift the way you experience success by aligning what you achieve with what truly matters to you. Let go of old success models and step into The Fulfilled Visionary, leading from wholeness, confidence, and deep inner clarity.

Fitness: Success Blueprint Rewiring

Apply neurological and psychological principles to reshape how your mind relates to achievement, dissolving subconscious patterns that fuel burnout and hollow success so high performance becomes natural rather than draining.

Impact: Abundance Driven Success Model

Create success that nourishes every area of your life—your finances, relationships, body, and inner world—without sacrificing your well-being. Your achievements become a foundation for harmony, satisfaction, and true fulfillment.

The Abundance Approach can help transform your life, health, and career from lack to plenty; ailing to lively; undeserving to assured; and disappointing to fulfilling. All it takes is a little belief in yourself and the determination to live a life bursting with optimism and embodying success.

The Abundance Approach can help you achieve this!

Final Thoughts

Stephen Hawking lived an incredibly challenging life. His physical existence was severely diminished by disease. He was denied so many physical abilities that humans take for granted. Yet, in his darkest hours, he discovered his highest calling.

He became the best version of himself when he faced some of the worst circumstances life has to offer. This is significant: He learned to become his best when he was at his worst. Perhaps we can internalize this lesson ourselves.

When life seems overwhelming, perhaps it is merely a calling to step forward and reclaim your inner power. Maybe when life is at its worst, it is time for you to become your best.

I strongly believe that challenges exist because they push you forward to become what you were always meant to be. To be the best version of you that you were put on this earth to become.

That is why life throws us obstacles, so that we can find alignment with our true potential and become the unstoppable force of strength and power that we were always meant to be.