If you’ve been around the internet, you’d know that Keanu Reeves is pretty much a meme.
But it’s not all for the sake of shallow humour, like most memes.
The actor has a lot of wisdom and I’ve compiled some of his best quotes for you!
1) On opening your eyes and enjoying the beauty of life around you
You see these people behind me? They are rushing to work and not paying attention to anything. Sometimes we get so caught up in our daily lives that we forget to take the time out to enjoy the beauty in life. It’s like we’re zombies. Look up and take your headphones out. Say Hi to someone you see and maybe give a hug to someone who looks like they’re hurting. Help out someone.
You have to live every day like it’s your last. What people don’t know about me is that I had depression a couple of years back. I never told anyone about it. I had to fight my way out of depression. The person who was holding me back from my happiness was ME. Every day is precious so let’s treat it like that. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, so live today!
2) On the true importance of money and living simply
“Money doesn’t mean anything to me. I’ve made a lot of money, but I want to enjoy life and not stress myself building my bank account. I give lots away and live simply, mostly out of a suitcase in hotels. We all know that good health is much more important.”
3) On living authentically and not faking it
“Because we’re actors we can pretend and fake it, but I’d rather the intimate investment was authentic.”
4) On simple happiness
“Life is good when you’ve a good sandwich.”
5) On being thankful for the struggle
Every struggle in your life has shaped you into the person you are today. Be thankful for the hard times, they can only make you stronger.”
6) On respect
“I was raised to show respect. I was taught to knock before I open a door. Say hello when I enter a room. Say please and thank you, and to have respect for my elders. I’d let another person have my seat if they need it. Say ‘yes sir’ and ‘no sir’, and help others when they need me to, not stand on the sidelines and watch. Hold the door for the person behind me, say ‘excuse me’ when it’s needed and to love people for who they are and not for what I can get from them and most importantly, I was also raised to treat people exactly how I would like to be treated by others. It’s called respect.”
7) On overcoming hard times and still loving life!
“Most people know me, but don’t know my story. At the age of 3, I watched my father leave. I attended four high schools and struggled with dyslexia, making my education more challenging than it is for most. Eventually I left high school without earning a diploma. At the age of 23, my closest friend River Phoenix died of a drug overdose.
In 1998, I met Jennifer Syme. We fell instantly in love and by 1999, Jennifer was pregnant with our daughter. Sadly, after eight months, our child was born stillborn. We were devastated by her death and it eventually ended our relationship. 18 months later, Jennifer died in a car accident.Since then I avoid serious relationships and having kids. My younger sister had leukemia.
Today she is cured, and I donated from my gains from the movie Matrix to Hospitals that treat leukemia. I am one of the only Hollywood stars without a mansion.
I don’t have any bodyguards and do not wear fancy clothes. Even though I’m worth $100 million, I still ride the subway and I love it! So in the end, I think we can all pretty well agree that even in the face of tragedy, a stellar person can thrive. No matter what’s going on in your life, you can overcome it! Life is worth living.”
8) On Art
“Art is about trying to find the good in people and making the world a more compassionate place.”
9) On Love
“It’s fun to be hopelessly in love. It’s dangerous, but it’s fun.”
10) On living life to the fullest
“My friend’s mom has eaten healthy all her life. Never ever consumed alcohol or any “bad” food, exercised every day, very limber, very active, took all supplements suggested by her doctor, never went in the sun without sunscreen and when she did it was for as short a period as possible- so pretty much she protected her health with the utmost that anyone could. She is now 76 and has skin cancer, bone marrow cancer and extreme osteoporosis.
My friend’s father eats bacon on top of bacon, butter on top of butter, fat on top of fat, never and I mean never exercised, was out in the sun burnt to a crisp every summer, he basically took the approach to live life to his fullest and not as others suggest. He is 81 and the doctors say his health is that of a young person.
People you cannot hide from your poison. It’s out there and it will find you so in the words of my friend’s still living mother: “If I would have known my life would end this way I would have lived it more to the fullest enjoying everything I was told not to!”
None of us are getting out of here alive, so please stop treating yourself like an afterthought. Eat delicious food. Walk in the sunshine. Jump in the ocean. Say the truth that you’re carrying in your heart like hidden treasure. Be silly. Be kind. Be weird. There’s no time for anything else.”