Don't hesitate to learn the most painful aspects of our history, understand it.

...We may encounter many defeats, but we must not be defeated. That sounds goody two-shoes, I know, but I believe that a diamond is the result of extreme pressure and time. Less time is crystal. Less than that is coal. Less than that is fossilized leaves. Less than that it's just plain dirt. In all my work, in the movies I write, the lyrics the poetry, the prose, the essays, I am saying that we may encounter many defeats - maybe it's imperative that we encounter the defeats - but we are much stronger than we appear to be and maybe much better than we allow ourselves to be.

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.

A Woman in Harmony with her Spirit is like a river flowing.

I'm working at trying to be a Christian, and that's serious business. It's like trying to be a good Jew, a good Muslim, a good Buddhist, a good Shintoist, a good Zoroastrian, a good friend, a good lover, a good mother, a good buddy: it's serious business.

Every day I awaken I am grateful. My intent is to be totally present in that day. And laugh as much as possible.

Those who have something to say accept the fact that that's lonely. One already knows that there will be adversaries.