I'm a control freak. I'm defensive. And I'm an egomaniac. That's true about me.

I tend to foster drama via bleakness. If I want the reader to feel sympathy for a character, I cleave the character in half, on his birthday. And then it starts raining. And he's made of sugar.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness.

What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering, and I responded . . . sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly.

Do those things that incline you toward the big questions, and avoid the things that would reduce you and make you trivial.

Developing our sympathetic compassion is not only possible but the only reason for us to be here on earth.

According to me, your life is going to be a gradual process of becoming kinder and more loving. Hurry up. Speed it along. Start right now.

It's a big world, and I really like it.

Character is that sum total of moments we can't explain.

The generalizing writer is like the passionate drunk, stumbling into your house mumbling: I know I'm not being clear, exactly, but don't you kind of feel what I'm feeling?

Kindness, it turns out, is hard - it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include . . . well, EVERYTHING.

A wise man once said the fact that everyone lies is a universal truth, the only variable is about what.

I have so much in my life. I want to be of value to the world.

I consider myself to be flawed, but I made it work. I'm not perfect. Anybody who thinks they are is whacked-out.

Maybe if I point to my brain it will work.

Let the experience begin!

Generosity is nothing more seen than in a candid estimation of other men's virtues and good qualities.

Ever since 9/11, I found myself interested in chronicling the war and the war on terror and the way that this giant machinery was affecting individuals.

I'm an Air Force officer first, a pilot second and then Nicole. The female part is last. . . . My job is to be the best right wingman that I can be.

When we experience our fear, when we say the words "I am scared," we have the choice, the ability to acknowledge that being 'scared' is not who we are. It is not our identity.