For many, Christmas is also a time for coming together. But for others, service will come first. Queen Elizabeth II More Quotes by Queen Elizabeth II More Quotes From Queen Elizabeth II When life seems hard, the courageous do not lie down and accept defeat; instead, they are all the more determined to struggle for a better future. Queen Elizabeth II down-and struggle lying The world is not the most pleasant place. Eventually, your parents leave you and nobody is going to go out of their way to protect you unconditionally. You need to learn to stand up for yourself and what you believe and sometimes, pardon my language, kick some ass. Queen Elizabeth II philosophical motivation believe Let us not take ourselves too seriously. None of us has a monopoly on wisdom. Queen Elizabeth II life-and-love monopoly wisdom I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together. Queen Elizabeth II inspiration people years Good memories are our second chance at happiness. Queen Elizabeth II second-chance humanity memories I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong. Queen Elizabeth II whole life long Family does not necessarily mean blood relatives but often a description of a community, organisation or nation. Queen Elizabeth II family relationship friendship It has been women who have breathed gentleness and care into the hard progress of humankind. Queen Elizabeth II progress women care I don’t like to badmouth people. But I’m the head of a monarchy that began in the ninth century, and I’m apparently more modern than Chris Christie. Look, I know he has to appeal to the crazy right-wingers in his party, but the fact is, he’s not as forward-thinking as an eighty-seven-year-old lady who wears a crown on her head. It’s pathetic. Queen Elizabeth II party crazy thinking [On being criticized for her serious expression:] I simply ache from smiling. Why are women expected to beam all the time? It's unfair. If a man looks solemn, it's automatically assumed he's a serious person, not a miserable one. Queen Elizabeth II serious-person expression men There are long periods when life seems a small, dull round, a petty business with no point, and then suddenly we are caught up in some great event which gives us a glimpse of the solid and durable foundations of our existence. Queen Elizabeth II perspective giving long We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection. With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock. Queen Elizabeth II health wisdom leadership I have to be seen to be believed. Queen Elizabeth II royal-family funny Work is the rent you pay for the room you occupy on earth. Queen Elizabeth II earth pay rooms Therefore I am sure that this, my Coronation, is not the symbol of a power and a splendour that are gone but a declaration of our hopes for the future, and for the years I may, by God's Grace and Mercy, be given to reign and serve you as your Queen. Queen Elizabeth II grace-and-mercy queens years It has turned out to be an annus horribilis. Queen Elizabeth II trouble Cowards falter, but danger is often overcome by those who nobly dare. Queen Elizabeth II queens courage life It's all to do with the training: you can do a lot if you're properly trained. Queen Elizabeth II women learning business Grief is the price we pay for love. Queen Elizabeth II grief sympathy life The lessons from the peace process are clear; whatever life throws at us, our individual responses will be all the stronger for working together and sharing the load. Queen Elizabeth II stronger lessons working-together
