I long for the time when all human history is taught as one history, because it really is.

The area where we are the greatest is the area in which we inspire, encourage and connect with another human being.

I wouldn't trade anything for my story now.

Look for the beauty in things.

I respect myself and insist upon it from everybody. And because I do it, I then respect everybody, too.

Early on, I was so impressed with Charles Dickens. I grew up in the South, in a little village in Arkansas, and the whites in my town were really mean, and rude. Dickens, I could tell, wouldn't be a man who would curse me out and talk to me rudely.

Make every effort to change things you do not like. If you cannot make a change, change the way you have been thinking. You might find a new solution.