When Pain has Value

“I have learned that pain has value when you invite God into your tragedies as well as your joys.”

~ Marjorie A. Boston

Founder – Faith Mission Baptist (1997), Reverend & Pastor

~

Acceptance & Change

“I have no politics, but I am a Negro. For this reason I try to do and say nothing that might be a step backwards … I had ulcers, a worry bug about my future, the future of my race … I found I could learn to accept what I had to accept and to try to change what I wanted to change.”

~ Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE
Actor, Director, Writer & Diplomat
British Academy Film Award Winner, Academy Award (Oscar) Winner,
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE),
Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award Winner & Grammy Award Winner

You’ll Spend Less Time Railing Against Life’s Unfairness

“The sooner you learn that life is not fair, the better off you’ll be, because you’ll spend less time railing against life’s unfairness and feeling aggrieved and entitled, and more time figuring out how to maximize your assets, and your talents and how to deal with things that you’re not very good at.”

~ Condoleezza Rice,
Founder – Center for New Generation (1992), Political Scientist, Diplomat, United States Secretary of State (2005–2009),
United States National Security Advisor (2001–2005), Provost of Stanford University (1993–1999),
Augusta National Golf Club (2012), ESPNW Impact 25 (2014), Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (2017) & Author

In Business, Sometimes a ‘No’ is Not Always Permanent

“I wish I knew that “no” is not permanent. When I first launched, I took rejection really hard, and hearing “no” felt like something would never happen and a door was shut. Over the past three years, I’ve seen a few rejections turn into “yes,” which made me realize that nothing is permanent. You always have the power to grow, learn, and improve as you push forward in your journey.”

~ Michelle Ranavat
Entrepreneur & Founder – Ranavat

~

For Some the Journey Through Life is Quicker

“Life is but a stopping place,
A pause in what’s to be,
A resting place along the road, to sweet eternity.
We all have different journeys; different paths along the way,
We all were meant to learn some things, but never meant to stay …
Our destination is a place, far greater than we know.
For some the journey is quicker, for some the journey is slow.
When the journey finally ends, we’ll claim a great reward,
and find an everlasting peace, together with the Lord.”

~ Author Unknown

~

Sing in the Desert, Dance in the Promise-Land

“You have to learn to sing in the ‘desert’,
before you can dance in the ‘promise land’.”

~ Samuel Rodriguez,
Founder & President – National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference,
Evangelist, Pastor, Movie Producer, Civil Rights Activist, Television Personality & Author

Learn to Stand Up for Yourself

“I allowed myself to be bullied because I was scared and didn’t know how to defend myself.
I was bullied until I prevented a new student from being bullied.
By standing up for him, I learned to stand up for myself.”

~ Jackie Chan,
Actor, Martial Artist, Film Director, Producer, Stuntman,
Singer, Clothier, Restaurateur, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist,
Founder – Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation &
Founder – Dragon’s Heart Foundation

Risking Failure

“It’s only when you risk failure that you discover things.
When you play it safe, you’re not expressing the utmost of your human experience.”

~ Lupita Amondi Nyong’o,
Actress, Film Director & Academy Award

They Teach Him Something Every Day

“I love my kids so much. They teach me something every day;
it always brings richness to my work, and even more in life.”

~ Blair Underwood,
Actor (Television, Film & Stage), Director, Philanthropist,
1993 Humanitarian Award (1993), NAACP Image Awards (3X) & Grammy Award

The Advice & Experiences of the Amazing, Smart Ones

“I’ve learned that while I’d be a fool not to stay open to the advice and experiences of the smart, amazing people in my life, I also need to listen to what I have to say.”

~ Alicia Keys
a.k.a. Alicia Augello Cook,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer & Actress

Model Mentor

“I think a role model is a mentor – someone you see on a daily basis, and you learn from them.”

~ Denzel Hayes Washington, Jr.,
Golden Globe Awards (2x), Tony Award,
Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor and Best Actor

The Power of Prayer, Words & Predictions

“I feel the presence of a higher power.
I believe that what you give is what you get.
It’s universal law. I believe in the power of prayer and of words.
I’ve learned that when you predict that negative things will happen, they do.”

~ Alicia Keys
a.k.a. Alicia Augello Cook,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer & Actress

Upholding America’s Founding Documents

“If the citizens of the United States are to turn away from the Communist Manifesto
and preserve the purpose of the Declaration of Independence,
the U.S. Constitution, and our Bill of Rights,
we must first thoroughly reexamine and learn about each of them,
and uphold America’s founding documents by testing every political action in light of them.”

~ Chuck Norris,
Actor, Martial Artist, Film Producer, Screenwriter, U.S. Air Force Air Policeman, Author, Philanthropist, National Defense Service Medal,
Korea Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Longevity Service & Small Arms Expert Marksmanship

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If Someone Doesn’t Like You

“The one thing I really learned, and learned well, in group therapy was that
you don’t die if someone doesn’t like you.”

~ Rita Moreno,
a.k.a. Rosa Dolores Alverio,
Actress, Dancer, Singer,
Academy Award (1961), Golden Globe Award (1961), Joseph Jefferson Award (1968)
Grammy Award (1972), Tony Award (1975), Emmy Award (1977),
Emmy Award (1978), Sarah Siddons Award (1985),
Library of Congress Living Legends Award (2000), International Latin Music Hall of Fame (2001),
Presidential Medal of Freedom (2004), Hollywood Walk of Fame Star, California Hall of Fame (2007),
National Medal of Arts (2009), Hispanic Organization of Latin Actresses – Lifetime Achievement Award (2010),
Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2012), Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2013) &
Kennedy Center Honors Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award (2015)

Your Prayers Answered in Wondrous Ways

“Expect to have hope rekindled. Expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach,
Author

Grace & Confidence

“Beauty is grace and confidence. I’ve learned to accept and appreciate what nature gave me.”

~ Lindsay Lohan,
Actress, Businesswoman, Fashion Designer, Singer, Kids Choice Award (2006), Capri Awards (2007),
Teen Choice Award (4X), MTV Movie Award (3X), Hollywood Film Festival Award (2X),
Radio Disney Music Awards (2004) & 2nd SoHu Fashion Achievement Awards (2014)

Live Life Limitlessly

“Well, when you live life limitlessly, trust me, you learn a lot.”

~ Lauren Lake,
Lawyer, Author, Interior Designer, Real Estate Developer,
Singer, Legal-Relationship-Life Consultant, & TV Talk Show Host

Challenges & Lessons

“Everyone has challenges and lessons to learn – we wouldn’t be who we are without them.”

~ Sean Combs,
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Record Executive, Actor, Entrepreneur,
Grammy Awards (3X), MTV Video Music Awards (2X), Philanthropist,
Founder – Sean John, Founder – Daddy’s House Social Programs,
Council of Fashion Designers of America Award (2004) & NAACP Image Awards (2009),

Lessons from Mistakes

“Learning from mistakes helps prevent the repetition of negative patterns.”

~ John Gray,
Author, Relationship Counselor & Lecturer

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Everyone Has Highs & Lows

“Everyone has highs and lows that they have to learn from,
but every morning I start off with a good head on my shoulders,
saying to myself, ‘It’s going to be a good day!’.”

~ Lindsay Lohan,
Actress, Businesswoman, Fashion Designer, Singer, Kids Choice Award (2006), Capri Awards (2007),
Teen Choice Award (4X), MTV Movie Award (3X), Hollywood Film Festival Award (2X),
Radio Disney Music Awards (2004) & 2nd SoHu Fashion Achievement Awards (2014)

Life is a Gift

“To me, life is a gift, and it’s a blessing to just be alive.
And each person should learn what a gift it is to be alive no matter how tough things get.”

~ Tony Bennett
a.k.a Anthony Dominick Benedetto,
Singer, Artist/Painter &
Founder, Frank Sinatra School of the Arts

Learn How to Love

“But really, we also need to learn how to love one another
as women; how to appreciate and respect each other.”

~ Chaka Khan,
Singer, Songwriter, Activist & Grammy Awards (10x)

Each of Us Can Always Get Better

“You can always get better. Nobody can stop you from getting better,
and nobody can stop you from trying to make something right.”

~ Roseanne Cherrie Barr,
Actress, Comedian, Writer, Author, Producer, Director & Politician

Learn from Your Mistakes & Your Successes

“We’ve all heard that we have to learn from our mistakes,
but I think it’s more important to learn from successes.
If you learn only from your mistakes, you are inclined to learn only errors.”

~ Dr. Norman Vincent Peale,
Author & Minister

High School’s Accidental Life Lessons

“I think you accidentally learn things in high school that turn out to be life lessons,
when you are able to step back a bit and study them in more depth.”

~ Megan Fox,
Actress, Model & Philanthropist

Sincere & Selfless Contribution

“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.”

~ Anthony Robbins
a.k.a Anthony J. Mahavorick ,
Life Coach, Speaker, Actor, Philanthropist & Author

Discovering the Female Universe

“I used to be scared of women.
When I was very young they terrified me,
but discovering the female universe was incredible
and still is to this day,
as you never stop learning about them.”

~ Antonio Banderas,
Actor, Director, Producer, Singer & Philanthropist

An Appreciation for the Downs & the Ups

“I’ve had 60 years of ups and downs, and all of the downs that I’ve had, I’m happy that I’ve had them because it’s taught me to appreciate all the ups.”

~ Patti LaBelle,
Singer, Songwriter, & Actress

~ Image via NAME HERE

Involved to Learn

“Tell me and I forget.
Teach me and I remember.
Involve me and I learn.”

~ Ben Franklin,
a Founding Father of the United States,
Polymath, Author, Printer, Political Theorist,
Politician, Postmaster, Scientist, Inventor,
Humorist, Civic Activist, Statesman & Diplomat

Whatever Tomorrow Brings

“I teach my children that in life, there is no control of what tomorrow is going to bring.
There really isn’t. But in whatever it brings, we have choices, and
I’m glad because I made more right choices than wrong,
but in the wrong choices, there are lessons to be learned.”

~ Benjamin “BeBe” Winans,
Singer, Songwriter, Author, Producer,
Grammy Awards (2X) & Dove Award (2010)

Loving What You Do

“I’ve learned the importance of loving what you do.”

~ Randy Travis,
Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Guitarist, Grammy Awards (6x), CMA Awards (6x),
ACM Awards (9x), AMA Awards (10x), Dove Awards (8x),
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star & Country Music Hall of Fame

The Seeds of Your Next Success

“In my experience, each failure contains the seeds
of your next success — if you are willing to learn from it.”

~ Paul Allen,
Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist. Co-Founder – Microsoft,
Founder:
Vulcan Inc., Allen Institute for Brain Science, Institute for Artificial Intelligence,
Institute for Cell Science, and Stratolaunch Systems.Contents

Elevating Our World

“I think that once a substantive issue becomes public knowledge,
it is up to each and every one of us to do our part to help implement positive change(s).
That is why I ask ALL viewers of my site, to commit to the act of volunteering.
Consider feeding the homeless or donate to your local food bank;
give of your time at church; or, go a step further by setting up your own non-profit organization
that seeks to make a targeted difference. Even if you decide to help just one person,
such as an elderly neighbor…think of how fulfilling that would be.
If we all learned to share in that sentiment, I honestly believe our world
would be elevated with far more love and unity.”

~ Jackee Harry,
Actress, Singer, Director,
Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1987),
NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (1999 & 2000)

Doing Away with Fear

“I have learned over the years that when one’s mind is made up, this diminishes fear;
knowing what must be done does away with fear.”

~ Rosa Parks,
Activist

Mastering Skills Makes the Brain Happy

“Your brain finds happiness in mastering skills.
It’s been that way since you were little.
So, don’t stop mastering life as you get older.”

~ Tai Lopez,
Entrepreneur & Investor

Mistakes: Learn From Them & Move Forward

“Like everyone else, I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life.
The only way I know how to handle them is to learn from them and move forward.”

~ Alex Rodriguez,
Professional Baseball Shortstop/Third Baseman:
Seattle Mariners (1994–2000), Texas Rangers (2001–2003), New York Yankees (2004–2013, 2015–2016)
All-Star (14x: 1996–1998, 2000–2008, 2010, 2011), World Series Champion (2009), AL MVP (3X: 2003, 2005, 2007),
Gold Glove Award (2X: 2002, 2003), Silver Slugger Award (10X: 1996, 1998–2003, 2005, 2007, 2008),
AL Hank Aaron Award (2001–2003, 2007) & Grand Slams with 25.

Our Strengths & Our Weaknesses

“The biggest challenge we all face is to learn about ourselves
and to understand our strengths and weaknesses.
We need to utilize our strengths, but not so
much that we don’t work on our weaknesses.”

~ Mae Jemison,
Engineer, Physician & NASA Astronaut (1987-1993)

Do What We Can Do for Our Country

“My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you,
ask what you can do for your country.”

~ John F. Kennedy,
35th President of the United States (1961-1963)

The Sponge-like Constant Learners

“Children, in a way, are constant learners.
Certainly sponge-like; absorbing everything without careful analysis,
even though, at the same time, they are certainly capable of incredible insights.”

~ Yo-Yo Ma,
Cellist, Educator, Composer, Humanitarian & Grammy Award Winner(15x)

Being Likeable

“As I’ve gotten older and older …
I’ve learned that relationships really matter. That being likeable really matters….
Those things are also almost as important, and maybe even more so,
than just being a really excellent writer or a really great show host.”

~ Betty W. Liu,
News Anchor, Business Journalist, Author,
Dow Jones Newswires Award (1997),
“Top 30 Business Journalists Under 30 List (2000-2002, 3x)
& Central High School’s Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)

‘Failing’ in a Learning Posture

“We must expect to fail… yet fail in a learning posture,
determined not to repeat the mistakes,
and to maximize the benefits from what is learned in the process.”

~ Ted Engstrom,
Founding Architect of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability,
& (Former) Head of Youth for Christ & World Vision International

Learning to Take Responsibility

“Part of being a man is learning to take responsibility
for your successes and for your failures.
You can’t go blaming others or being jealous.
Seeing somebody else’s success as your failure
is a cancerous way to live.”

~ Kevin Bacon,
Actor, Musician, Hollywood Walk of Fame (2003), Founder – SixDegrees.org,
Independent Spirit Award (2004), Screen Actors Guild Awards (1996, 2010),
Golden Globe (2010), Saturn Award (2013) & Philanthropist

Learn Something Every Day

“Even now, at 82 years old, if I don’t learn something every day,
you know what I think? It’s a day lost.”

~ B. B. King,
a.k.a. Riley Benjamin King
Blues Singer, Electric Guitarist,
Songwriter, Record Producer, Philanthropist,
Co-Founder – Foundation for the Advancement of Inmate Rehabilitation and Recreation

The Journey That Teaches

“Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.”

~ Drake,
a.k.a. Aubrey Drake Graham
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer & Actor

Proud to Be a Nerd

“Somebody called me a nerd. That’s not a word that I’m
used to hearing. I was proud of it…
It’s like a badge of honor to me,
knowing where I came from.”

~ Malcolm Mitchell,
NFL Football Player & Author

Love of What You Do

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice
and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

~ Pele
a.k.a Edson Arantes do Nascimento,
Footballer, Humanitarian, FIFA Ballon d’Or Prix d’Honneur (2013),
France Football’s Football Player of the Century (1999),
Player of the Century (1999), IOC Athlete of the Century (1999),
Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (1997)
Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (1994), Knight of the Order of Rio Branco (1967)
Commander of the Order of Rio Branco (1969) & Brasil Postage Stamp (1969),

Those Who Do the Most

“I began learning long ago that those who are happiest
are those who do the most for others.”

~ Booker T. Washington,
Educator, Author, Orator & Advisor to Presidents

– ,

Business at a Higher Level

“Successful business owners are constantly learning new ways
to make their businesses grow and operate at a higher level.
They are reading industry blogs, listening to podcasts,
attending conferences, and taking courses.”

~ Brandon Gaille,
Marketing Podcaster, Blogmaster – The Blog Millionaire

Create Something from Nothing

“Community service has taught me all kinds of skills and increased my confidence.
You go out there and think on your feet, work with others and create something from nothing.
That’s what life’s all about.”

~ Andrew Shue,
Actor, Co-Founder of Do Something & CafeMom

No Unattractives

“There aren’t any unattractive people,
only those who haven’t learned to look attractive.”

~ Sandy Dumont, The Image Architect,
Author, Keynote Speaker, Columnist, Educator,
Founder of Impression Strategies Institute, Stylist,
Corporate, Political & Celebrity Image Consultant
& Women in Business Achievement Award (2009)

Talents & Abilities Within

“Entrepreneurship is natural and normal for most people.
You have within you, right now, the talents and abilities that you need to start
and build a successful business, to take complete control over your life, and achieve financial freedom.
You just need to learn how.”

~ Brian Tracy,
Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur & Business Coach

Know, Love & Believe It

“If you want to be successful,
it’s just this simple:
Know what you are doing.
Love what you are doing,
and believe in what you are doing.”

~ William Penn Adair “Will” Rogers ,
Cowboy, Vaudeville Performer, Humorist, Newspaper Columnist,
Social Commentator, Stage Actor & Motion Picture Actor

100% In

“I learned to put 100 percent into what you’re doing.
I learned about setting goals for yourself,
knowing where you want to be and
taking small steps toward those goals.
I learned about adversity and how to get past it.”

~ Kristi Yamaguchi
a.k.a Kristine Tsuya Yamaguchi,
Ladies’ Singles U.S. Olympic Champion (1992), World Champion (1991 & 1992),
U.S. Champion (1992), World Junior Pairs Skating Champion (1988),
National Pairs Skating Champion (1989 & 1990),
& U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Inductee (2005),
Founder – Always Dream Foundation,
Designer – Tsu.ya Activewear, Author,
Asian Excellence Awards (2008), Sonja Henie Award (2008),
Thurman Munson Award, Women’s Sports Foundation Flo Hyman Award,
& Great Sports Legends Award

Considered as An Expert

“A winner knows how much he still has to learn,
even when
he is considered an expert by others;
a loser wants to be considered an
expert by others
before he has learned enough to know
how little he knows.”

~ Sydney J. Harris,
Journalist, Author, Drama Critic, Teacher & Lecturer

Persistent, Unshakeable Gratitude

“Opportunities, relationships, even money flowed my way when I learned
to be grateful, no matter what happened in my life..”

~ Oprah Winfrey,
Chairwoman & CEO of Harpo Productions,
Chairwoman, CEO & CCO of Oprah Winfrey Network,
Television Host, Producer, Author, Actress & Philanthropist

Where Ignorance Was Better

“I know of no time in human history
where ignorance was better than knowledge.”

~ Neil deGrasse Tyson,
Astrophysicist, Cosmologist, Author & Science Communicator

Living Values

“What I’ve learned, first of all, is to live your values.
It’s easy to put words on paper. What we had to do was demonstrate our values.“

~ Mary Barra,
CEO, General Motors

An Inspiring Attitude

“My father didn’t talk too much, and wasn’t very much into giving me advice, verbally.
It was his attitude, mainly, that inspires me as a mother and a working woman today.
He taught me the importance of humility. How we all work to make ourselves a living
and that there’s no need to feel superior.”

~ Gaia Trussardi,
Creative Director, Trussardi Group

More in Failure

“You learn more in failure
than you ever do in success.”

~ Jay Z
a.k.a Shawn Corey Carter,
Investor, Record Producer, and Entrepreneur

~ Image via NAME HERE

A Good Neighborhood

“If you live in a ghetto
and really want not to just change your life and your family’s life
yet change your ghetto’s life,
make your ghetto a good neighbor-hood, learn science;
try to be like Mark Zuckerberg, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I’d like to see Apple and Dell factories
be brought to the inner cities; in every project in America,
there’s some factory there, and it’s abandoned,
and I’d like to see those factories open
and bring jobs to America.

~ will.i.am
a.k.a William James Adams,
Founder of i.am Angel,
Director of Creative Innovation for Intel (2011)
Founder of The Back-Eyed Peas
Rapper, Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur,
Actor, DJ, Record Producer, Philanthropist
Grammy Awards (7), American Music Awards(8), Billboard Music Award,
Teen Choice Award, MTV Video Music Awards (2) and World Music Awards (3).

Read with Me

“Grades were important in our house.
I was reading by two.
My mom would sit there and read with me,
read with me, read with me. It was wonderful.”

~ Fergie
a.k.a Stacy Ann Ferguson ,
Singer, Songwriter, Rapper, Actress & Fashion Designer,
American Music Award, amfAR Inspiration Gala Awards (3),
ASCAP Awards (6), Billboard Music Awards (8), FiFi Award
Footwear News Achievement Award, Glamour Award & Grammy Awards (8)

Spend Life Well

.

“Life well-spent is long.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci,
Polymath: Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Musician,
Mathematician, Engineer, Inventor, Anatomist,
Geologist, Cartographer, Botanist, & Writer

Get ‘Happy Sleep’

.

“A well-spent day brings happy sleep.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci,
Polymath: Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Musician,
Mathematician, Engineer, Inventor, Anatomist,
Geologist, Cartographer, Botanist, & Writer

It Never Exhausts

.

“Learning never exhausts the mind.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci,
Polymath: Painter, Sculptor, Architect, Musician,
Mathematician, Engineer, Inventor, Anatomist,
Geologist, Cartographer, Botanist, & Writer

Double Your Rate of Failure

“Would you like me to give you a formula for…success?  It’s quite simple, really.
Double your rate of failure…  You’re thinking of failure as the enemy of success.
But it isn’t at all…  You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it.
So, go ahead and make mistakes.  Make all you can.
Because, remember that’s where you’ll find success.  On the far side..”

~ Thomas John Watson, Sr.,
Businessman, Chairman & CEO of IBM

Love-Born

“Love is what we were born with.
Fear is what we learned here.”

~ Marianne Williamson,
Author

Deepest Wishes are Whispers of the Soul

“Our deepest wishes are whispers of our authentic selves.
We must learn to respect them. We must learn to listen.”

~ Sarah Ban Breathnach,
Author

The Smarter the Journalists …

“The smarter the journalists are,
the better off society is. For to a degree,
people read the press to inform themselves —
and the better the teacher,
the better the student body.”

~ Warren Edward Buffett,
Business Magnate, Investor, Philanthropist &
Founder of the Buffett Foundation

I Entrepreneur

“I BELIEVE anything is possible.
I SEE opportunity when others see impossibility.
I TAKE risks.
I’m FOCUSED.
I HUSTLE.
I KNOW that nothing is unrealistic.
I FEEL overwhelming love.

I EMBRACE my childlike wonder & curiosity.
I TAKE flying leaps into the unknown.
I CONTRIBUTE to something bigger than myself.
I CREATE.
I LEARN.
I GROW.
I DO.

I BELIEVE it’s NEVER TOO LATE to START LIVING a DREAM.
I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR.“

~ AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Is Your Personality Fragrant?

“A person, however learned and qualified in his life’s work, in whom gratitude is absent,
is devoid of that beauty of character which makes personality fragrant.”

~ Hazrat Inayat Khan,
Classical Musician