"Fear is not respect. It is but a conniving, little weasel next to that mighty lion. They are a far, far cry from the same animal."

"Just say "I'm sorry. It's not a tongue twister. It does not need repeating multiple times. The phrase is simple and short, easy to articulate. And the last time I checked, it sounded just as good-if not better-in a whisper. So just say it; say "I'm sorry."

"I survive on moments of make-believe happiness."

"The only way to change the world is to quit thinking it's a job for Superman. Real power lies in your own hands."

"When you understand that faith is God's muscle at your disposal, moving mountains doesn't seem so extraordinary."

"The bitterest hardships, the most daunting trials; none of these are burdens if it means being with you."

"God cries for us in the same way we cry for others. His tears most often spill over for the pain and suffering caused from the mortal misuse of a gift called agency. He will not revoke the gift. It was promised to us for the duration of our time on Earth. But He will hold each one of us accountable in the end for how we applied this power of agency."

"Family gathersto share good noise and good food.Gratitude abounds."

"If kindness is beauty, patience is disarming elegance."

"For every one person who praises you, there are a hundred who would criticize. Heed neither the one nor the hundred. It is your own opinion that truly matters."

"The bulk of life is discovering who you are-and then reconciling that with who you wish you were."

"When thunderstorms roll in, you make a choice to either succumb with tears to the gloomy downpour, or smile and look for rainbows."

"Love grows and wanes, but honor, duty, and commitment, those things are constant and stable. They define who you are."

"Life isn't all perpetual bliss, nor is it one woeful weeping session. But you can concentrate so hard on noticing moments of one or the other that either a bright outlook or dim expectations becomes your regular illusion."

"Happiness must be a jealous pet. When you try seeking yours out, it tends to keep hidden. But as soon as you turn to help a friend find his, your own happiness comes bounding out of the darkness like some crazed animal."

"Progressing at a snail's pace is still progress, and slow progress is better than no progress. Never be stagnant, and never give up."

"No matter how loud the sirens or how numerous the hazard signs, we all touch the flames at least once to prove they're hot."

"There should ne'er be a timeWhen a duty or dimeDoth outshineThe importance of family."

"Hate is loud. Love, however, is so pleasantly felt it has no need to be heard."

"The day you were bornHeaven wept at its great loss,Earth joyed at its gain."

"We all suffer ills at the hands of others; however, reactions to these injustices differ like night and day. Many seek to punish the world for their suffering, while some work hard to save the world from experiencing similar grief."

"Your face is engraved in my mind. I can't erase it. I don't want to. Because as much as I hate you, I love you. And I love you unforgettably."

"Compliments land assoft and gentle on my earsas a butterfly."

"It's strange how in childhood it feels like tomorrow won't come until the end of forever, but in adulthood it feels like the end of forever could come tomorrow."

"Beauty that pleases the eye is a frail, fleeting illusion. But that beauty capable of pleasing the heart can endure endlessly."

"Thank you, Mom, for the way you managed yourself during the childish, mean, selfish, insensitive, irresponsible, unreasonable, hateful moments I put you through. From your example I learned to be patient, positive, kind, selfless, sympathetic, reliable, sensible, and loving. You have my endless appreciation."

"Rare and precious gifts,gold and myrrh and frankincense,to offer a king."

"Every birthday celebrates a life because every life is important."

"A moment of torture feels like an eternity, while an eternity of joy passes in a moment. Perhaps time is naught but an illusion."

"Birthdays were made for going wild over the people we think are amazing."

"You can't argue with insanity. You can stare at it, gaping and incredulous, but arguing with it is futile."

"A hero is a person who, without a second thought, simply does the right thing because his conscience cannot live with any other choice."

"It may seem like the dragons tormenting you are bigger and fiercer than those lurking in your neighbor's yard, but this is an illusion. We all face mighty dragons at home in some form."

"Little girls grow up thinking that knights in shining armor actually exist. But they don't. And if those valiant heroes ever did bless this world with their chivalrous deeds, I imagine, just like Christ's apostles, they were destroyed by envy on the battlefront."

"It may not be fair that people make judgments so quickly, usually within a few seconds of observation, but it's unrealistic to expect that they won't. So, if you want to be judged in a certain manner, be sure that your look and demeanor give that impression."

"It is easy to say I am thankful for the sweet and beautiful things in life: flower gardens, ice cream cones, diamond rings, dances under moonlight, children's laughter, birdsongs, and the like. The challenge is recognizing things of value in the dark, sour, uglier parts of life. But if you look hard enough, you will find that even tough times offer pearls worthy of gratitude."

"Happiness isn't reserved for privileged individuals. It is a state of mind that can neither be bought nor stolen nor traded, it is a liberty available to anyone."

"Patience is real self-mastery."

"It's impossible to be involved in all situations, but there's no excuse not to be involved in something, somewhere, somehow, with someone. Make an ounce of difference."

"Art and the artist meet in stages, slowly revealing themselves until both are satisfied with what the other has become."

"Smile wide to receive many smiles in return. But if you want a good laugh, smirk like a wicked, little imp and watch the range of expressions you're flashed."

"Why certainly, words possess power. They do! But releasing their magic requires combining and arranging those words in the right order."

"Courage to me is doing something daring, no matter how afraid, insecure, intimidated, alone, unworthy, incapable, ridiculed or whatever other paralyzing emotion you might feel. Courage is taking action.....no matter what. So you're afraid? Be afraid. Be scared silly to the point you're trembling and nauseous, but do it anyway!"

"A smile is a light that sets your inner self aglow, letting others know you're home."

"I wear my wrinkles like battle scars, having earned every last one slaying life's dragons. They boast of my victories and some defeats while their beauty is a wealth of wisdom gained."

"One of the most troubling facts I have had to accept is that people are not all angel or all devil. They are both good and awful to varying degrees and in varying circumstances. On any given day, dependent upon the situation, you will be confronted by either the devil of a person or the angel of the same person or a curious mix of both. This means you can, and most likely will, love and hate the same individual alternately throughout your life. This truth I find painfully heartbreaking."

"If you never bother to say the words, why should anyone believe you ever felt them?"

"Music is happiness with a steady pulse."

"Kind words are salve to a cankered soul, spread generously."

"Every sunrise is an invitation for us to arise and brighten someone's day."