Voices from the past

Picture your character growing up hearing one of these phrases until it has become truth to them. Holding this truth has allowed them to get what they wanted in life, but now it feels like there's something missing. They need something more, but don't know what it is.

How has it shaped their life? Their choice of profession? Friends? Spouse?

Where and what has it gotten them in life?

What is missing? What opportunity might spark their interest to step out of their comfortable life?"

Write the opening scene. (It doesn't, of course, need to be contemporary. Any genre you want.)

"Bigger is better."
"You are just like your (brother, mother, etc)."
"Why can't you be smart like .."
"Don't fight."
"It's all just luck."
"Only weak people forgive."
"Work hard and you deserve the best."
"Quitters never win and winners never quit."
"Don't waste money on frivolous things."
"Don't show your pain."
"Family comes first."
"You won't have any friends if you are different."
"For a smart person you have no common sense."
"We are all sinners."