Toni

“The truth is that no one can keep you captive. No one can keep you unhappy. No one can keep you abused. Our lives rise to the level we accept. I do believe we can rise from the screaming blood of our losses, of extreme pain, physically debilitating emotion, psychological neglect, and apathy, and not merely survive, but thrive. We do not need to let our histories or our losses define us except in the way we choose. We can use them as fuel to create real depth, beauty, connectedness, and compassion in our lives. Our stories can make us exceptional people, not damaged ones. If we choose to be truthful with ourselves. And if we choose to digest and release the pain rather than try to avoid it. This is how pain accumulates and creates more pain, leading to neurosis, pathology, and brittleness of spirit.”
― Jewel, Never Broken Deluxe: Songs Are Only Half the Story

“Rebellion even in its smallest forms can eventually birth great change. With change comes hope.”
― Catherine Adel West, Saving Ruby King

“People do amazing things for love. Books are full of wonderful stories about this kind of stuff, and stories aren’t just fantasies, you know. They’re so much a part of the people who write them that they practically teach their readers invaluable lessons about life.”
― Mahbod Seraji, Rooftops of Tehran

“Everything we do is political," she says. "Even the things we choose not to do.”
― Aline Ohanesian, Orhan's Inheritance