Bambi Dean

“The first difference is that religion refers to the interpersonal and institutional aspects of religiosity/spirituality that are derived from engaging with a formal religious group’s doctrines, values, traditions, and co-members. By contrast, spirituality refers to the psychological experiences of religiosity/spirituality that relate to an individual’s sense of connection with something transcendent (be it a defined deity, truth, beauty, or anything else considered to be greater than self) and are manifested by the emotions of awe, gratitude, love, compassion, and forgiveness.”
― George E. Vaillant, Spiritual Evolution: A Scientific Defense of Faith

“...let us recognize that a large fraction of our suffering and that of our fellow human beings is brought about by what we do to one another. It is humankind, not God, that had invented knives, arrows, guns, bombs, and all manner of other instruments of torture used through the ages. The tragedy of the young child killed by a drunk driver, of the innocent young man dying on the battlefield, or of the young girl cut down by a stray bullet in a crime-ridden section of a modern city can hardly be blamed on God. After all, we have somehow been given free will, the ability to do as we please. We use this ability frequently to disobey the Moral Law. And when we do so, we shouldn't then blame God for the consequences.”
― Francis S. Collins, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

“Happiness is not created from things, friends, or even love. Happiness is like money; you have to have it to make it. People are attracted to happiness, to positivity. Keep that positive outlook on everything, and no one or no thing can make you feel otherwise.

"Every burden can become a blessing, just depends on how you look at it." This is my secret.”
― Trey Smith

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
― Michelangelo