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.

Clutch Brady | Actor, Writer, Director, & Music Artist

What’s Defeat? I have tattooed that on my body. It means never give up. If you never give up at something it’s impossible to fail in it. Read more>>

Chris Royster | Talent Developer

I have two. Nobody can believe in you more than you can believe in yourself. And, nobody can make you do what you don’t want to do. The latter is important because many say out loud how badly they want to accomplish something, but then when they realize how hard it will be, their actions show they were never going to do anything to make it happen. As far as self belief, many people rely on others to believe in them without have personal belief in themselves so at a certain point, even if they have talent, they quit before anything happens. Read more>>

Helen Choi | Painter & Muralist

My all-time favorite quote is one by Ralph Waldo Emerson about success. It goes like this: “To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” I love this quote so much! It’s always been my number because it helps me to be mindful about my existance and everything around me. It helps me to remember that I have also achieved success in those ways. Read more>>

Austin Branks | Dancer, Singer, Actor, Choreographer

I have always valued words of affirmation that can go on a journey with me that are not fleeting and just go over my head. I love hearing quotes that keep me going and drive me towards success, happiness, calmness, breathe, etc. My all time favorite is: “Lions don’t lose sleep over the opinions of sheep.” We can’t go living our lives letting every person’s opinion of us matter. There is always going to be someone that does not like you or agree with you, but you can’t let that weigh down your happiness. You have to stand tall, be grounded in what you believe in, and live your life unapologetically. As a performer, this is such an important lesson to hold on to because in the arts as a whole, our entire world can sometimes based off of other people’s opinions of us. Read more>>

NaRon Usry | Teacher, Small Business Owner

My favorite quote/affirmation is as follows “O prefer to be myself, no one else: I am myself & no one else. This quote comes from my mom, Jacqueline Bacon Reid who passed away July 23, 2020 from Congestive Heart/Renal Failure. My mom taught me that being yourself is always the best option. As she was one of my biggest supporters of my business, Mr. Do It All. I’ll always remember her and what she stood for. Read more>>

Dr. P. K. Wayne | Author and Literacy Advocate

“Everything I ever needed, I found in a book.” If there’s one thing most people know about me, it’s that I love to read. As a child, I enjoyed getting lost in an adventure. As a young woman, there was always something attractive to me about being able to put life aside and pick up a book. As an author, I have found great comfort in imagining and delving into different characters and their experiences. Reading has offered so much more to me than a good story. It has been soothing, relaxing, and therapeutic, even. This quote is very special to me but I believe it can be true for everybody. Books provide people with alternate realities, insight into different perspectives and an opportunity to the see the world from another’s vantage point. When you have the right book, it almost feels like you have been transported to a different time and place. Read more>>