My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive;... - Maya Angelou

"I'm happy to be a writer - of prose, poetry, every kind of writing. Every person in the world who isn't a recluse, hermit or mute uses words. I know of no other art form that we always use."

"Poetry puts starch in your backbone so you can stand, so you can compose your life."

"A Woman in harmony with her spirit is like a river flowing.She goes where she will without pretense and arrives at her destination prepared to be herself and only herself"

"If I am not good to myself, how can I expect anyone else to be good to me?"

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty."