I am very busy and don't have a lot of down time, but I write my best songs in those situations. I enjoy my life the most when I have a bunch of things going on at the same time.

I used to bring my sketchbook to gym class and doodle, because I am a very uncoordinated athlete.

I can lick my elbow. I know that's supposed to be impossible, but I can do it!

I've never feared the unexpected.

I think the most challenging part of being a performer is just making sure that people know that when you get up there every night, it's unique and that you care.

I've always been a really really big Sheryl Crow fan. I just respect what she does in a way that she just remains true to her music and sort of has just been real. She isn't trying too hard ever.

I always try to be very human in my performances and hang out with my fans. It is cool to be a celebrity, but at the end of the day I want to empower my audience and say, 'Hey, I am just like you.

As you get older, challenges arise that you aren't prepared for, but what got me through it was music.

I like to perform live like we're all just hanging out in my living room. I'm totally casual and informal on stage.

I think just being on 'One Tree Hill' has given me a lot of confidence.

Music is such a healing thing, no matter who you are.

It takes courage to live-courage and strength and hope and humor. And courage and strength and hope and humor have to be bought and paid for with pain and work and prayers and tears.

Most people say that it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.

It's so much nicer to be a secret and delightful sin to anybody than to be a feather in his cap.

Man is sometimes extraordinarily, passionately, in love with suffering.

I do not think that this [the universe] can be explained only by natural causes, and are forced to impute to the wisdom and ingenuity of an intelligent.

Arise, arise, Riders of Théoden! Fell deeds awake, fire and slaughter! spear shall be shaken, shield be splintered, a sword-day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now, ride now! Ride to Gondor!

Powerlessness and silence go together.

I think in any writing you're paying attention to detail.

I've never lied. I think I've lived a moral life.

I believe that to pray without ceasing means to think good thoughts without ceasing.