We asked folks to tell us about their favorite quote or affirmation and to tell us what it means to them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

John Morris | painter, musician, flâneur

Yes, I find myself referring back to this quote from poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 -1926) about our approach to creative endeavor:

“Seek those themes which your own everyday life offers you; describe your sorrows and desires, passing thoughts and the belief in some sort of beauty — describe all these with loving, quiet, humble sincerity, and use, to express yourself, the things in your environment, the images from your dreams, and the objects of your memory. ” Read more>>

Chip Freund | Photographic Artist

“ You can’t change the direction of the wind, but you can adjust your sails.” – Unknown

It is a reminder that we always have the power to choose how we respond to the world around us. Further, it instructs us to take constructive action to change what we can to make the best out of each situation. Read more>>

Holly Loux | Salon Owner, Hairapist, and Creator

I read the book “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” by Betty Smith the summer of my 6th grade. Its message has carried with me since that time. Life is incredibly short. We spend so much time in the pursuit of living a full life that we forget that much of living is within the journey and not in the highlights. “Being” everyday, connecting with the tangible and reflecting on our ‘muchness’ is what life is about. “Dear God,” she prayed, “let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry…have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere – be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost.” Read more>>