This holiday season I stray from my weekly format to share with you quotes to inspire, and perhaps make one feel hopeful about what can be achieved by expressing the best part of our humanity — a good start to the new year.
Conflict
“There are three principles in man’s being and life, the principle of thought, the principle of speech and the principle of action. The origin of all conflict between me and my fellow men is that I do not say what I mean, and that I do not mean what I say.” – Martin Buber, Jewish Philosopher
Enlightenment
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”Inscribed on the Martin Luther King Memorial
Forgiveness
“You cannot force forgiveness. You can’t compel other people to soften their hearts, examine their own faults, or modify their judgments of others. You have to wait until they want to.” – Joseph Grenny, coauthor of Crucial 
Conversations.
Happiness
“When you recover or discover something that nourishes your soul and brings joy, care enough about yourself to make room for it in your life.” — Jean Shmoda Bolen, author, Archetypal Psychology
Self-Awareness
“The most important thing is to be whatever you are without shame.” – Rod Steiger, actor
“Actions have consequences…first rule of life. And the second rule is this: You are the only one responsible for your own actions.” – Holly Lisle, author
“When you are looking in the mirror, you are looking at the problem. But, remember, you are also looking at the solution.” – Anonymous “Enlarge your consciousness. If your consciousness is small, you will experience smallness in every department of your life.” – Robert Pante, Image Consultant
