Having a home away from the media glare is important to world-class athletes. Mary Lou Retton More Quotes by Mary Lou Retton More Quotes From Mary Lou Retton Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you. Mary Lou Retton positive inspirational life Each of us has a fire in our hearts for something. It's our goal in life to find it and keep it. Mary Lou Retton inspiring motivational graduation Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. You get self-satisfaction from pushing your self to the limit, knowing that all the effort is going to pay off. Mary Lou Retton fun motivational inspirational Rather then focusing on the obstacle in your path, focus on the bridge over the obstacle. Mary Lou Retton focus bridges motivational A trophy carries dust. Memories last forever. Mary Lou Retton motivational inspirational sports Erase the word "failure" from your vocabulary. No case is ever truly closed, and no challenge is ever over. Mary Lou Retton failure vocabulary challenges As simple as it sounds, we all must try to be the best person we can: by making the best choices, by making the most of the talents we've been given. Mary Lou Retton athlete motivational inspirational Even though it may seem counterintuitive, a comfort zone is a dangerous place to be. Mary Lou Retton dangerous comfort may For six years, I kept my five Olympic medals wrapped in a plastic bread bag beneath my bed. Mary Lou Retton bags bed years I'm very determined and stubborn. There's a desire in me that makes me want to do more and more, and to do it right. Each one of us has a fire in our heart for something. It's our goal in life to find it and to keep it lit. Mary Lou Retton persistence fire heart Working hard becomes a habit, a serious kind of fun. Mary Lou Retton serious kind fun You've got to believe in yourself first. Take risks and don't be afraid to fall. Mary Lou Retton risk believe fall As much time as you put into it, that's what your achievements are going to be when you come out of it. Mary Lou Retton gymnastics achievement Heat is required to forge anything. Every Mary Lou Retton accomplishment stories heart There are so many negatives in our society. To be on the cover of a magazine these days, you have to have been through drug rehab three times. What message is this giving to young people? But there are positives in our society. And I try to surround myself with good-natured, positive people. Mary Lou Retton attitude motivational people Training for the Olympics was much easier than balancing my life now! When practice was over, there was time for me. But with four kids and a career, I have no downtime. When I'm not on the road, I finish my workday at 2:30 p.m. Then I pick the kids up from school and they get 100 percent Mommy, not part Mommy and part Mary Lou Retton. Mary Lou Retton practice kids school You give up your childhood. You miss proms and games and high-school events, and people say it's awful... I say it was a good trade. You miss something but I think I gained more than I lost. Mary Lou Retton giving-up missing-you school Children possess a remarkable amount of passion. They throw themselves completely, heart and soul, into everything. Mary Lou Retton passion heart children There can be distractions, but if you're isolated from the heart of the Games, the Olympics become just another competition. Mary Lou Retton competition games heart Friendship is a living thing that lasts only as it is nourished with kindness, sympathy, and understanding. Mary Lou Retton understanding kindness friendship