For everyone who never smiled in school photos, for all who’ve wandered city streetsnot knowing the where they were or feeling alone, I’ve packed kindness.

I place solitude in a frame on my desk and call it, the one I love.

We must live with our hearts in our hands - like Mary.We must hold the blood-red heart and no be disappointedwhen others look away.

As I go under, I wonder if there’s a reason for art?

Yes, it hurts to fall— ache, tenderness—but each scar is a sign your system is working.

She pours sugar on her life and drinks the artist’s marrow in the bone of her glass and she lives.

in the corner of the painting of successthe signature is blurred

Like the kite that caught up to the sky, painted with clouds, I lost track of it, but it was connected by string, something I was holding, something I could always bring back.

Sometimes darknessis the beauty I am made of—

To suffer together is to suffer with beauty,

Maybe I’m still the mermaid. Maybe the ocean is your hand.

There's more at stake from the ripples we make than simply passing through.

Every man who is acutely alive is acutely wrestling his own soul.

I don't have problems. I am a writer. I am the problem.

It is better to think of all the beauties of life than to be bitter.

George Lopez does so much mugging, I'm surprised he's not up on charges.

Conducting was just something that happened by fluke.

The basis of successful relief in national distress is to mobilize and organize the infinite number of agencies of self help in the community. That has been the American way.

Music should never be a job. It should be your hopes, your dreams and everything you believe in.

When believers and unbelievers live in the same manner - I distrust the religion.

There smites nothing so sharp, nor smelleth so sour as shame.