Empty and cold, but it keep me alive. I gave it my soul, so that I could survive.

You are more powerful than you know; you are beautiful just as you are.

Be strong, believe in who you are; be strong, believe in what you feel.

It was tough being a single mom. It was tough being in a divorce with children. Very, very hard.

Don't let anyone tell you that you have to be a certain way. Be unique. Be what you feel.

The sign says do not enter, no trespassing allowed. With visions of redemption I walk against the crowd.

We are getting older, and we are getting wiser, and we are getting freer. And when you get the wisdom and the truth, then you get the freedom and you get power, and then look out. Look out.

I can be a rock star with a television show and still have a self-esteem problem. So it's nice to have your dad go, 'Hey Melissa, I'm proud of you - you're doing good.'

There will always be someone else with a different view than you. I appreciate them and would never say that they are wrong. I hope that they would give me that courtesy also.

I feel my heart break to see a nation ripped apart by it's own greatest strength - it's diversity.

There's a point when your tape of life runs off the reel and there's this stillness of your own - I got to know myself.

So many times you can't get a foot in the door unless you're already in the room.

My mother's work ethic, her attitude, and the way she treated each and every customer as if they were her best friend were better lessons than could be found in all the text books in the world.

I'm conservative on some issues, and I'm progressive on others.

Just this once, let it be easy.

Now I feel like whatever I do, no one can hurt me. I cannot be violated, I cannot be humiliated, I cannot be disregarded, I cannot be disrespected.

I really like older writers, perhaps because they take me out of my element. I don't have a great deal of interest in reading a fictionalized present as it's pretty insane as it is.

Words are containers for power

Where can I free myself of the homeland in my body?

When God is seeking a person, he will not allow my fear, my feeling of intimidation or my lack of knowledge or experience to prevent that person from finding him.

Will you be?” I asked, suddenly anxious. “Will you really be here?” “As long as you want me,” he assured me. “I'll always want you,” I warned him. “Forever.