"There are many phenomena in life that we cannot control — examples include aging, illness, an angry boss, the weather, poor reception to our work, our competition, and the missteps of our children. What we can control, however, is what we do in response, and that is where our focus ought to lie."

"If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy, don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty of lives and whole towns destroyed or about to be. We are not wise, and not very often kind. And much can never be redeemed. Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this is its way of fighting back, that sometimes something happens better than all the riches or power in the world. It could be anything, but very likely you notice it in the instant when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb."