"How we got to be who we are and what we are today is of supreme unimportance compared with coming together to get out of the mess we have made of our world."
~Jane Goodall, when asked where she stands on Darwinism vs. creationism

"You were born with an energy and passion for doing what you believe in. In fact, you've been thinking big and reaching high and doing more for as long as I can remember. And this world needs you... your courage and truth, your caring mind and heart, your imagination and talents, your smile and your voice. I'm really proud of you, you know. And I love you with all my heart!"
~personalized Valentine's Day card from my mom and dad (I'm a lucky daughter)

"When we are together it occurs to me how glorious life can (and is intended to) be. So much is possible. The things that lie ahead are going to exceed even our wildest imaginings simply because what lies inside us is limitless. Thank you for helping me taste the infinite."
~me, to my dear friend's Donnie and Elaine

"A tale is told of a teacher and his disciples watching a tightrope walker who was so absorbed in what he was doing that they asked their teacher what it was that riveted the aerialist's gaze to this seemingly foolish performance. The teacher answered, 'I cannot say why this man is risking his life. I only know that while he is up there, he is not thinking of the gold coins he is earning by walking the rope--for if he did, he would fall."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"Words cannot describe what I have to look forward to being in your life."
~Joseph Kalish, love ever after (thanks Mel)

"If we want to be creative, we must learn to care less about how we will look in the eyes of others than what we feel about what we are doing. For the audience, an artistic production is only a public event; for the artist, it is a personal experience. But it is not the outcome but our input that counts. The rewards for our work come from the individual efforts we put into them. Public acceptance is simply a fringe benefit."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"you were like.. a firework show
in our living room
pow pow pow
dazzling / loud / not sure what to think about a firework show in your living room
you want it in the sky
or at least... you.... are used to it being in the sky"
~Melanie Caselas, via chat, on meeting me for the first time (I took it as a compliment)

"Many people believe that the best way to serve God is exemplified by the followers of traditional religion, that is those who affirm their spirituality by leading austere lives, devoted to studying sacred scriptures and immersing themselves in ritual prayer. The spiritual way that moves me most is both more mystical and more personal than this traditional approach. It is the way of ordinary people leading active, everyday lives and honoring the higher power within themselves by meeting others lovingly. If we believe that God made us as we are 'because He does not want people to be caged in their lusts, but to be free in them,' we serve Him by engaging in earthly delights with heartfelt devotion."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"Meeting as two people who are soulfully dedicated to sharing their real selves, each releasing divine sparks, creates the intimacy and warmth needed for the personal growth of both of us... We each must find our own way, but the openness and caring of intimate companions makes being on our own easier to bear."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"You can rake the muck this way, rake the muck that way--it will always be muck. Have I sinned or have I not sinned? In the time I am brooding over it, I could be stringing pearls for the delight of Heaven."
~Martin Buber

"Only by setting aside our idealized image of who we imagine we should be, can we allow the emergence of that awkward combination of strength and weakness that is our true self. The tension between the creative and destructive, light and dark, holy and horrible, generates the energy required to propel our growth and development. We all struggle with these inner contradictions, each in his or her own way. Both spiritual and personal growth are individual attainments. As Martin Buber notes, what kind of God would make us all so different and then allow only one way to serve Him?"
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"When we attempt to hide whatever we imagine might appear eccentric or weird, we also risk obscuring the richness of any exceptional aspects of who we are. We each have something precious in us that does not exist in anyone else. The universal human possibilities are uniquely combined in each particular person. The colorfulness of our individual personalities shows up clearly when we carefully observe which way our own hearts draw us and then choose to walk this personal path with all our strength. The true value of our accomplishments is that we each bring them about in our own way and by our own efforts."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano

"Once we begin to risk living openly and in good faith, we may lose interest in trying to figure out what's right and what's wrong and get on with living a life that is worthwhile to us, regardless of what it might mean to others."
~Sheldon Kopp, All God's Children Are Lost, But Only a Few Can Play the Piano