If I didn't have children I'd be a much better actress. I wouldn't be so distracted. I could pour 100 percent of my energies into it, to promote the investigation which acting is.

I never felt like I belonged in Minnesota when I was growing up there. That's why I was out the door as soon as I turned 18.

The natural state of motherhood is unselfishness. When you become a mother, you are no longer the center of your own universe. You relinquish that position to your children.

When you learn not to want things so badly, life comes to you.

I regret those times when I've chosen the dark side. I've wasted enough time not being happy.

Moments of pure happiness...come upon you unexpectedly. Don't be too preoccupied to experience them.

Everything is transient. Everything is constantly changing. The only thing we have is now.

One of the things I love about acting is that it reveals a certain something about yourself, but it doesn't reveal your own personal story.

Don't be absent from your own life.

I've never been a sunny personality. I've never been outgoing. I'm a solitary person.

Acceptance and tolerance and forgiveness, those are life-altering lessons.

Sorrow is the violent smashing of reason, in that reason has no power over it.

The Gods give with one hand and take with the other.

I think when you're in the public eye, you feel a pressure to stay younger looking.

Frankly, my fundamental beliefs have not changed.

You can't concentrate on doing anything if you are thinking, “What's gonna happen if it doesn't go right?

Sooner or later we'll be looking back on everything and we'll laugh about it like we knew what all was happening

It's a big dream for me to go home with two gold medals. It's not very easy as it looks like.

I'm smart but not enough--just smart enough to have problems.

Real happiness lies in the completion of work using your own brains and skills.

Gonna wind it up on my guitar. Gonna make that silver sing.