the inside, whatever that means.

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself.

If we insist on living by an eye-for-an-eye kind of justice the whole world will go blind.

If you’ve done the work, then there should be no reason you shouldn’t pass the test.

Nothing is forever, and there comes a time when we all must say goodbye to the world we knew.

The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.

It’s the oldest story in the world. One day you’re seventeen and planning for ‘some day,’ and then quietly and without you ever really noticing ‘some day’ is today, and then ‘some day’ is yesterday, and this is your life. We spend so much time wanting, pursuing, wishing. But ambition is good, chasing things with integrity is good; dreaming. If you had a friend you knew you’d never see again, what would you say? If you could do one last thing for someone you love, what would it be? Say it, do it, don’t wait; nothing lasts forever. Make a wish and place it in your heart. Anything you want, everything you want, do you have it? Good, now believe it can come true. You never know where the next miracle’s gonna come from, the next memory, the next smile, the next wish come true. But if you believe that it’s right around the corner and you open your heart and your mind to the possibility of it, to the certainty of it, you just might get the thing you’re wishing for. The world is full of magic, you just have to believe in it. So make your wish, do you have it? Good, now believe in it with all your heart.

People ask me how to get over mean or negative comments (in blogging and in life). The secret? You can’t control what others do, but you can control whether you let the negativity impact you. Focus on what you want your life to become. Just because other people are toxic doesn’t mean you have to be. Let it roll off your back like you’re wearing a yellow rain slicker. You are worth respect. Give it to yourself first.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.