Something I am now convinced of, after researching Everyone Brave, is that none of us is born courageous in all respects.

So when I say that I am a refugee, you must understand that there is no refuge.

A scar is never ugly. That is what the scar makers want us to think. A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.

Looking after a very sick child was the Olympics of parenting.

A scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, I survived.

At some point you just have to turn around and face your life head on.

Our own personal brand of courage - in relationships, in conflict, in our principles ­ - is as unique as our fingerprints.

I’m telling you, trouble is like the ocean. It covers two thirds of the world.

I could not stop talking because now I had started my story, it wanted to be finished. We cannot choose where to start and stop. Our stories are the tellers of us.

We must see all scars as beauty. Okay? This will be our secret. Because take it from me, a scar does not form on the dying. A scar means, 'I survived'.

It is certainly impossible to imagine forgiving the enemy while their animus remains undefeated.

You can't keep the birds of sadness from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair.

It's easier to sit there and say you don't like feminists because they don't have a sense of humor.

I'm a pretty aggressive girl in general. So if there's a boy that I like, you're going to know how I feel. I just put it out there.

To have divine favor on your life means you'll attract extraordinary opposition

Country is not what you heard on the Grammys.

There's a special feeling you get on a veranda that you just can't get anywhere else.

Steal a chicken if you get a chance, Huck, because if you don't want it, someone else does and a good deed ain't never forgotten.

I'm glad I took the leap away from acting into going behind the camera because it's much more satisfying - I love acting and I still do, but it's much more satisfying to be able to make the stuff.

Can you think of anything worse one can do to anybody than take away their worship?

Never let anyone define you. You are the only person who defines you. No one can speak for you. Only you speak for you. You are your only voice.