Don't prepare, do. Don't let Resistance sucker you into wasting months on background, foundation, planning. All that can come later.

The artist and the mother are vehicles, not originators. They don't create the new life, they only bear it. This is why birth is such a humbling experience. The new mom weeps in awe at the little miracle in her arms. She knows it came out of her but not from her, through her but not of her.

The professional loves her work. She is invested in it wholeheartedly. But she does not forget that the work is not her.

We will have to choose between the life we want for our future and the life we have left behind.

To labor in the arts for any reason other than love is prostitution.

We’re all pros already. 1) We show up every day 2) We show up no matter what 3) We stay on the job all day 4) We are committed over the long haul 5) The stakes for us are high and real 6) We accept remuneration for our labor 7) We do not overidentify with our jobs 8 ) We master the technique of our jobs 9) We have a sense of humor about our jobs 10) We receive praise or blame in the real world

Courage is inseparable from love and leads to what may arguably be the noblest of all warrior virtues: selflessness.