Parents walk a fine line between discipline and grace - values have to hold even when circumstances change or call for compromise or compassion. It's the ultimate challenge to be both firm and fluid, soft and strong, yielding yet rock solid.

When it comes down to it, determination has a greater impact than giftedness.

Unless you have a specific injury or a disease, I think a lot of people don't quite understand. I think a lot of people put arthritis in the same category. There's a real difference from someone whose joints swell, that's probably rheumatoid arthritis, than what I have.

I'm not the kind to go out and tell people 'Oh yeah I'm a gold medalist.'

It's funny because when there's something written about me in Velonews or Cyclingnews, the headline isn't "the other" Armstrong; its Armstrong wins another race. With Lance in retirement, everyone I know goes to those sites because they think Lance is racing again.

If we write our dreams and goals down, we dramatically increase our odds of realization. If we share them with others, they become potent and alive.

When we focus on our gratitude, the tide of disappointment goes out and the tide of love rushes in.