It is not what you hear, it is where you listen from within yourself that gives meaning to the message.

It is not what you hear, it is where you listen from within yourself that gives meaning to the message.

Iyanla Vanzant

Human life as we have it is only the raw material for human life as it might be.

Human life as we have it is only the raw material for human life as it might be.

Books are the means by which we build bridges between cultures.

Books are the means by which we build bridges between cultures.

All our world organizations will prove ineffective if the truth that love is stronger than hate does not inspire them.

All our world organizations will prove ineffective if the truth that love is stronger than hate does not inspire them.

A literary genius, it is said, resembles all, though no one resembles him.

A literary genius, it is said, resembles all, though no one resembles him.

If it's not your story to tell, you don't tell it.

If it's not your story to tell, you don't tell it.

The choice is a divine teacher, for when we choose we learn that nothing is ever put in our path without a reason.

The choice is a divine teacher, for when we choose we learn that nothing is ever put in our path without a reason.

Forgiveness leads to a shift in perception. It transforms the hurt into healing.

Forgiveness leads to a shift in perception. It transforms the hurt into healing.

Everybody does not have to like you. That is not their job. Liking you is not anyone's purpose in life except yours.

Everybody does not have to like you. That is not their job. Liking you is not anyone's purpose in life except yours.

Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it's the place where we find the deepest heartache.

Family is supposed to be our safe haven. Very often, it's the place where we find the deepest heartache.

Listen for the instruction, instead of begging for direction.

Listen for the instruction, instead of begging for direction.

If you should encounter angry or unkind actions today, take a deep breath, reach deep within and greet the lack of love with love.

If you should encounter angry or unkind actions today, take a deep breath, reach deep within and greet the lack of love with love.

Before you find out who you are, you have to figure out who you aren't.

Before you find out who you are, you have to figure out who you aren't.

Gratitude is like a magnet; the more grateful you are, the more you will receive to be grateful for.

Gratitude is like a magnet; the more grateful you are, the more you will receive to be grateful for.

Everything we experience-no matter how unpleasant-comes into our lives to teach us something.

Everything we experience-no matter how unpleasant-comes into our lives to teach us something.

When the time comes for you to make a change or to grow, the universe will make you so uncomfortable you will eventually have no choice.

When the time comes for you to make a change or to grow, the universe will make you so uncomfortable you will eventually have no choice.

If you are afraid to take a chance, take one anyway. What you don't do can create the same regrets as the mistakes you make.

If you are afraid to take a chance, take one anyway. What you don't do can create the same regrets as the mistakes you make.

When you give to others to the degree that you sacrifice yourself, you make the other person a thief.

When you give to others to the degree that you sacrifice yourself, you make the other person a thief.

If you don't ask for what you need, the need will keep getting bigger.

If you don't ask for what you need, the need will keep getting bigger.