Creativity requires faith. Faith requires that we relinquish control.

There will be many times when we won't look good-to ourselves or anyone else. We need to stop demanding that we do. It is impossible to get better and look good at the same time.

We go into parenting, and we discover that we don't have the answers. We are at a loss.

Treating myself like a precious object will make me strong.

When we clear the physical clutter from our lives, we literally make way for inspiration and 'good, orderly direction' to enter.

But do you know how old I will be by the time I learn to really play the piano / act / paint / write a decent play?" Yes . . . the same age you will be if you don't.

Sometimes the dying live more fiercely and wisely than the rest of us. (146)