Celebrate yourself. Follow your passions and eccentricities, because they are yours alone. You are unique! If everyone did that, I'm pretty sure there would be world peace.

Singing in front of people. It's like having your heart beat outside of you.

I find that if I've taken care of myself first, I can then be there fully for everyone else.

Of course I'm totally biased, but I think my mom is an amazing educator. She continues to work tirelessly for the kids in her classes, year after year - despite the innumerable obstacles she faces. She is a huge inspiration to me.

I lived in South Africa until I was 11 when we first immigrated. My mom had sent me back there when I was 14 for summer vacation. I wasn't doing very well in school, my grades were slipping. I called my mom one day and told her that I wasn't coming back. I ended up staying there until I was 17 before coming back to North America.

No matter what is going on around or within you, everything at some point must change. It's harder to accept when things are great - and a source of strength when change is what you need. Either way, it reminds me to try my best to be fully present in every moment.

I read that when cats are cuddling and kneading you, and you think it's cute, they're really just checking your vitals for weak spots.