Today marks the 54th birthday of the great, one-and-only American fashion designer Tom Ford. 

While there are many things you can say about how talented the gay style icon/creative director/Oscar-nominated film director is, you can also say that in his time on this planet he has racked up some serious knowledge on how to navigate through the serious #strugz of life. 

To celebrate Mr. Ford, and to help motivate us to go out and get s--- done, here is a collection of his best quotes that will help inspire you to be the best you can totally be. 

"I guess I'm just one of these people who, when I decide I'm going to do something, I just do it."-On the motivation to do things.

"I believe in living life the way that you want to live it every day, and if you do that, you don't really need to have New Year's resolutions." -On waiting for something arbitrary before deciding to do what you want.

"I'm living the exact life I planned on living when I was five. My life has taken some turns and changes that I didn't anticipate, and it has brought me different things. I thought material things would bring me happiness, which they didn't. But through this, I have learned what things are important and what aren't." -On life's unexpected surprises.

"I probably do have an obsessive personality, but striving for perfection has served me well." -On being a perfectionist.

"I am totally fearless! Well, of course, I'm not totally fearless. I worry constantly and obsess over things, but I just don't let fear stand in the way of doing something that I really want to do." -On being brave.

"I'm a believer in fate and in fulfilling your destiny. I've always had a kind of inner voice that I have learned to listen to." -On understanding your true calling.

"From the time we're born until we die, we're kept busy with artificial stuff that isn't important." -On the unimportance of materialism.

"If my parents had discouraged me, I would have turned out very differently. They raised me in an open-minded, liberal environment." -On his supportive parents.

"When the youth of America gets together, amazing things happen." -On the power of American youth.

Listen to King Tom's sage words of wisdom. He knows what he's talking about.