I would seriously rather be in a long line at the DMV than eat with people I don't know.

Pay attention to the beauty surrounding you.

We begin to find and become ourselves when we notice how we are already found, already truly, entirely, wildly, messily, marvelously who we were born to be.

Rest and laughter are the most spiritual and subversive acts of all. Laugh, rest, slow down.

Peace is joy at rest. Joy is peace on its feet. quoting her pastor in Salon, April 25, 2003

Just don't pretend you know more about your characters than they do, because you don't. Stay open to them. It's teatime and all the dolls are at the table. Listen. It's that simple.

In a library, you can find small miracles and truth, and you might find something that will make you laugh so hard that you will get shushed, in the friendliest way. I have found sanctuary in libraries my whole life, and there is sanctuary there now, from the war, from the storms of our families and our own minds. Libraries are like mountains or meadows or creeks: sacred space. So this afternoon, I'll walk to the library.