Theresa Paden Quotes & Sayings

...the experience of reading a novel has certain qualities that remind us of the traditional apprehension of mythology. It can be seen as a form of meditation. Readers have to live with a novel for days or even weeks. It projects them into another world, parallel to but apart from their ordinary lives. They know perfectly well that this fictional realm is not 'real' and yet while they are reading it becomes compelling. A powerful novel becomes part of the backdrop of our lives, long after we have laid the book asie. It is an exercise of make-believe that, like yoga or a religious festival, breaks down barriers of space and time and extends our sympathies, so that we are able to empathise with others lives and sorrows. It teaches compassion, the ability to 'feel with' others. And, like mythology, an important novel is transformative. If we allow it to do so, it can change us forever. — Karen Armstrong

Once, I was easy. Now, I was choosy. See? Big difference. — Sarah Dessen

Ordinary women never appeal to one's imagination. They are limited to their century. No glamour ever transfigures them. One knows their minds as easily as one knows their bonnets. One can always find them. There is no mystery in any of them. They ride in the park in the morning and chatter at tea parties in the afternoon. They have their stereotyped smile and their fashionable mauve. — Oscar Wilde

Mother Nature does not do bailouts. — Al Gore

If I walked on water, my accusers would say it is because I can't swim. — Berti Vogts

Oh, and another change from your system: our prisons are now privately owned and operated." "Really?" West asked, frowning. "I thought governments in my time experimented with privatizing prisons and it didn't work very well." "That's because those prisons weren't really 'private.' They were still paid for by government tax dollars and operated as government-enforced monopolies. They didn't have to compete to provide the best service at the best price. Of course they were almost as inefficiently-run as ones operated directly by government. "Now criminals can choose the prison they wish to live in, and must pay the costs themselves. This means that prisons compete to provide the best care at the lowest prices. They cannot abuse prisoners without being sued and going out of business, and they cannot overcharge or no one will choose their services. — Beth Cody

Not to say "trophies" aren't wonderful, but they should not be your driving force. — Renee Lawless

To forgive, we may need to open our minds to a fuller exploration of the context in which the events occurred, and feel compassion for the circumstances and everyone involved, starting with ourselves. — Sharon Salzberg

Fear is like a really hard, worthless rock that can hide rich obsidian or beautiful crystals. — Robin Reardon

In a recent interview, Michelle Obama said that the Secret Service taught Malia how to drive. In exchange, Malia taught the Secret Service how to throw a party when her parents are away. — Conan O'Brien

Many people in the western world are spoiled by the conveniences of our culture. — Joyce Meyer

I hate pork rinds. I couldn't imagine how anybody would ever get the idea of taking skin from a pig and frying it and then trying to sell it to people. And then people actually buy it to eat it. That is the true sign of the decline of the human race. — Joel Kinnaman

Mona Simpson, rose to honor him at his memorial service, that's not what she focused on. Yes, she talked about his work and his work ethic. But mostly she raised these as manifestations of his passions. "Steve worked at what he loved," she said. What really moved him was love. "Love was his supreme virtue," she said, "his god of gods. "When [his son] Reed was born, he began gushing and — Arianna Huffington