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.

Jennifer Durst | Actress

“Only in the darkness can you see the stars.” ~ Martin Luther King Jr. is one of my favorite quotes that I live by each day. The career path I have chosen is a tough one , it can be a tough journey with doubts and fears along the way. I believe a rough path makes you stronger and makes you grow into the person you were meant to be. Without the darkness how can you see the stars ? Without the obstacles how can you know what you can accomplish? I have had many people doubt me and my choices, but I never once felt like giving up because I know this is meant to be for me. I am not completely where I want to be but that’s the best part, growing into the life I have always dreamed of instead of just automatically being there unprepared. I have always loved stars too, so the metaphor means even more to me on that level. Read more>>

Chris Tompkins | Life Coach, Teacher, Author & Future Therapist

I’m a huge quote and affirmation person, so it isn’t easy to pick just one. The quote I often share that means a lot to me, though, is by Robert Fulghum. It goes, “Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.” For the past six years, I’ve been teaching social and emotional learning throughout Los Angeles County. I used to measure the success of a class by what I could see. I soon realized that I have no idea what’s going on inside a person. Some of the most powerful breakthroughs came from the youth I thought I didn’t reach. This quote helps remind me that each of us is a teacher and how we teach isn’t always through our words. More importantly, it’s by our demonstration. Ultimately, it makes me want to live my life better for the sake of the next generation. As far as affirmations, I use them all day throughout the day. Read more>>

Suraya Erikkson | Author, Producer & Entrepreneur

I noticed that upon answering one of your questions, I will actually be answering two of them (“my favorite quote” and “risk”), because they are inextricably intertwined. I’m a heart-based person and thrive on inspiration and passion. So, everything related to me begins there. The following quote from Einstein exemplifies the journey, the mental edge I’ve had to cultivate my whole life that manifested itself in the writing of my book “God and the Evolution of Orgasm,” about a life-changing spiritual awakening and the reality of the self as bliss: “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein A quote, an idea can be a great and powerful teacher. The beauty of this quote from Einstein in my life is that first, when I was a kid, it was a rational guidepost; but then, as my career became exploring consciousness, it came to life as truth from first-hand experiences of my own consciousness shifting, taking me to new levels of awareness and mastery. Read more>>