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

Anything is possible - even the most far-fetched idea can come to being through a series of seemingly small decisions and actions.

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

My mom is my best friend and always offers me great perspective and reminds me to be compassionate to myself in moments when I feel low.

Ive always loved the power of stories to transport me to another world, to imagine extraordinary possibilities, to experience things I may not have access to in my regular life - like being a superhero! Also, I would always put on shows for my family and the neighbors; I guess I was an actor before I even knew it.

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.

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.