In my simple mind of interpretation, this means that despite whatever struggles,problems or trials we are experiencing, even if you feel like you are in the darkest place right now, you always have the ability to shine and rise above it all. With every struggle you gain experience and wisdom that nobody can take away from you and you use that to persevere and be the best that you can be..and just like a lotus flower, you'll come out to be the most beautiful and best that you can ever be.

Eleanor Roosevelt was quoted as having said, “A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.”

This quote is dear to my heart for a few reasons. The first is simply for the use of "hot water." I do love the turn of a phrase from days gone by. It seems much more eloquent than saying, "I'm in trouble," or (worse yet) "I'm screwed."

Secondly, while Eleanor was full of great isms, most of which called us to action, challenged us, or gave us hope, this one was more of a promise (or a threat, if you like) and gave credit where credit was severely lacking in her time; to the gentler sex. The message is twofold: 1. If you're a woman, and you're in hot water, you will surprise yourself in ways you never imagined. Seize that hot water as an opportunity to tap your abundant resources, girl! And, 2. Gentlemen, to underestimate a woman would be a mistake. To press her...well, then you're just looking for trouble.

Finally, I think I like this quote because I so greatly admire the woman who uttered it. Here was a great mind, a respected female who paved the way for other strong feminine voices to be heard. She was not judged by her looks, by her wealth, by whom she slept with or for balancing a champagne coup on her rump. She was revered for her wisdom. I, for one, would love to see more of that.

"Respect for others rights is peace."

This is my favorite quotation because it expresses a way of living. Many people have forgoten that when we do not respect others, when we make fun out of the misery of others, when there is bullying, and when there is discrimination, expect no peace or respect back, you're insulting yourself.

"I must not fear.

Fear is the mind-killer.

Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.

I will face my fear.

I will permit it to pass over me and through me.

And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.

Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

With this, one can take hold of their fear and master their body's reactions.

When I was just a kid my mom used to take me to my Grandma's place on Sundays, partly for the company for her, but mostly because we always got a share of the roast beef dinner that was always laid out when we showed up.

My old Grandma was a favourite of mine being the kind old woman she was. She never once beat me and she always had a cheeky smile for me whenever I was being stupid.

My Aunt Emily lived there also but when I was acting stupid she always had the same thing to say, that is "Stupid Is As Stupid Does", and for the life of me I never understood what the hell she meant, me being so young.

But I thought her remark must be so clever because I couldn't figure it out, so when I started school proper it became my most used remark when I wanted to impress the teacher.

Of course I know now how stupid I was.

In Diary, Chuck Palahniuk writes, "We have no scar to show for happiness. We learn so little from peace." I read the book after a two year stint trying to destroy myself. After all, "Self improvement is masturbation." (Some more Chuck there for you.) The quote first struck as a testament to the learn-everything-the-hard-way lifestyle I chose. It was a mantra that replaced the Fight Club rhetoric I had etched into my brain with ease and comfort. After all, self-sabotage had afforded me opportunities to create something out of ashes, and happiness was short-lived and plagued by the incessant need to be, do, have, et cetera.

Soon, before I could pin point the break in my heart that became soft and sugared, I began to use it as a reminder, a decision, to remember the good things. I began to use it to tell my head to slow down and be right here, right now. The mantra evolved with me. Instead of a reminder that pain is growth, it now reminds me that all experiences are lessons and all lessons are worth learning. It is a reminder to learn from peace as much as destruction.

I looked back at the quote some time ago and read the surrounding paragraphs. It was a tender moment I had with old Chuck as I read the sentence just before: "It's so hard to forget pain, but it's even harder to remember sweetness." There it was and written with style. For a moment I could not help but think of whether or not I had poor retention skills and feel a bit silly for having felt so original in my take on the quote. I had been juvenile in my attempt at philosophy. I chastised myself for feeling guilty. Then, marveled at my own contradictions and, feeling overwhelmed by my own propensity to drive myself into a hole, exhaled with intent: release all thought and just be right there, right then, reveling in a revisited moment of crystal clarity.