I nodded, pretending I was relaxed. I watched the sunlight sparkling on the water and practiced mind-body integration for a few seconds by quietly hyperventilating.

But, like ivy, we grow where there is room for us.

Some people need a red carpet rolled out in front of them in order to walk forward into friendship. They can't see the tiny outstretched hands all around them, everywhere, like leaves on trees.

That day I carried the dream around like a full glass of water, moving gracefully so I would not lose any of it.

What a terrible mistake to let go of something wonderful for something real.

I laughed and said, Life is easy. What I meant was, Life is easy with you here, and when you leave, it will be hard again.

Don't wait to be sure. Move, move, move.

We come from long lines of people destined never to meet.

... we had once called out hello into the cauldron of the world and then run away before anyone could respond.

Inelegantly, and without my consent, time passed.

I cried in English, I cried in french, I cried in all the languages, because tears are the same all around the world.

Doubt treats God’s Word as human advice—but we should see doubt as a reminder of our need to pray.

Read different to think differently

War is war and Hell is hell, and if you ask me, War is a lot worse.

From their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.

Fear is sharp-sighted and can see things under ground and much more in the skies.

Patience is seeking help only from Allah.

Joining Modest Mouse was just consistent with what I used to do as a teenager: I followed where I thought I would make some interesting music.

Drinking beer in a children's playground is an old Soviet tradition.

Neither of my parents went to church, but they did everything that you needed to do to be Christian. That's something a Quaker would call an intimation of the divine.

The recommended daily allowances are based on arbitrary, unscientific, and tainted standards.