A Marriage of Friendship & Passion

“Experts on romance say for a happy marriage there has to be more than a passionate love.
For a lasting union, they insist, there must be a genuine liking for each other
which, in my book, is a good definition for friendship.”

~ Marilyn Monroe
a.k.a. Norma Jeane Mortenson,
Actress, Model, Singer, Humanitarian & Film Producer

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Be Perfect at Being You

” Let’s practice motivation and love, not discrimination and hate.
If there’s any definition to being perfect, you’re perfect at being yourself.
There are so many great things in life; why dwell on negativity?”

~ Zendaya,
a.k.a. Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman,
Fashion Model, Dancer, Actress, Singer & Author

The Love of Independence

“The love of independence and dislike of unjust treatment is the source of a thousand virtues.”

~ William Godwin,
Journalist, Political Philosopher & Novelist

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Independence & Permanent Peace

“Violence as a way of achieving racial justice is both impractical and immoral.
I am not unmindful of the fact that violence often brings about momentary results.
Nations have frequently won their independence in battle.
But in spite of temporary victories, violence never brings permanent peace.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Pastor, Activist & Humanitarian

Nothing Has Brought Me More Peace & Contentment

“A real man loves his wife, and places his family as the most important thing in life.
Nothing has brought me more peace and content in life than simply being a good husband and father.”

~ Frank Abagnale,
Security Consultant, Lecturer, Businessman & Author

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Just As Noteworthy

“There’s so much negative imagery of Black fatherhood.
I’ve got tons of friends that are doing the right thing by their kids and​ doing the right thing as a father.
​”How come that’s not as noteworthy?””

~ Will Smith,
a.k.a Willard Carroll Smith, Jr.,
Actor, Producer, Rapper & Songwriter

They Knew I Loved Them

“I wasn’t anything special as a father, b I loved them and they knew it.”

~ Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Singer, Actor, Dancer & Comedian

My Greatest Source of Achievement, Pride & Inspiration

“Being a father has been, without a doubt, my greatest source of achievement, pride and inspiration.
Fatherhood has taught me about unconditional love, reinforced the importance of giving back and taught me how to be a better person.”

~ Naveen Jain,
Co-Founder – Moon Express, Founder – Intelius, Talentwise, Bluedot, Infospace & Viome

Knowing & Loving Yourself

“People who deeply know and love themselves are not hateful towards others.” 

~ Yung Pueblo,
a.k.a. Diego Perez
Mediator, Writer, & Speaker

A Tool to Open the Heart

“I think that comedy is such a tool to open the heart, to loosen up the muscles, to loosen up the brain.
God knew how important it would be to laugh because He said it is a great medicine,
and when used properly, it is the greatest of medicines.”

~ Chonda Pierce,
Comedienne, Author, Philanthropist &
Co-Founder – Branches Recovery Center

The Starless Midnight of Racism & War

“I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war
that the bright daybreak of peace and brotherhood can never become a reality…
I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word.”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.,
Pastor, Activist & Humanitarian

Work That You Love, Work That Fulfills You

“What I know is, is that if you do work that you love, and the work fulfills you, the rest will come.”

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

Your Shared Future

“A ring means a commitment. But more than that, it means that you’ve talked about
your shared future and have decided together on a shared vision of it.”

~ Patti Stanger,
Businesswoman, Matchmaker, Author &
Founder & CEO – Millionaire’s Club International, Inc.

Squandering Your Time

“Dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time,
for that’s the Stuff Life is made of.”

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

Romance at Any Age

“Romance is possible between two people at any age!”

~Kim Alexis,
Model, Actress & Marathoner

The Incarnation of Perfect Love

“Christmas in Bethlehem. The ancient dream: a cold, clear night made brilliant by a glorious star,
the smell of incense, shepherds and wise men falling to their knees
in adoration of the sweet baby, the incarnation of perfect love.”

~ Lucinda Franks,
Writer, Journalist & Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting (1971)

One Night by the Christmas Tree

“Faith is salted and peppered through everything at Christmas.
And I love at least one night by the Christmas tree to sing and feel the quiet holiness
of that time that’s set apart to celebrate love, friendship, and God’s gift of the Christ child.”

~ Amy Grant,
Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Author, Media Personality,
Grammy Awards (6X), Gospel Music Association Dove Awards (22X)
& Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

Settling Down by the Fire & Enjoying the Christmas Tree

“It’s always a wonderful time to be able to settle down by the fire,
enjoy the Christmas tree and the decorations, and just spend time with the ones you love
and surround yourself with the people that you don’t get to see enough throughout the year.”

~ Jay DeMarcus,
Bassist, Vocalist, Pianist, Record Producer & Songwriter

Calming Horses

“Horses calm me. I love being around them. They smell great, they are beautiful to look at,
they are loving, demanding, temperamental, and they settle you.”

~ Shania Twain,
Singer & Songwriter

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)

It Just Gets Better & Better

“If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle.
As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.
And like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on.”

~ Steve Jobs,
Entrepreneur, Marketer, Inventor, &
Co-Founder, Chairman & CEO of Apple, Inc.
Founder & CEO of NeXT, Disney Legend (2013, posthumously)
Grammy Trustees Award (2012), California Hall of Fame (2007)
‘Most Powerful Person in Business’ by Fortune Magazine (2007)
Entrepreneur of the Decade’ by Inc. Magazine (1989)
Jefferson Award for Public Service (1987) & National Medal of Technology (1985)

~

You Don’t Have to Do Everything Together

“We decided that you have to let the other person do whatever he or she loves, and not intrude on that.
You don’t have to do everything together.”

~ Connie Chung “,
a.k.a. Constance Yu-Hwa Chung,
Journalist, Anchor & Reporter

All the Things I Love

“All the things I love is what my business is all about.”

~ Martha Stewart,
Entrepreneur, Writer, Television Host,
Founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia & former Fashion Model

This Gift of Love

“We’ve got this gift of love, but love is like a precious plant.
You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or
just think it’s going to get on by itself. You’ve got to keep watering it.
You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.”

~ John Winston Lennon,
Musician, Singer, Songwriter,
Record Producer, Artist, Writer & Activist

It’s a Performance

“I’ve always enjoyed performing in smaller venues.
People can see all of me there. In large venues, audiences miss the essence of who I am.
Part of what I do is in my body language, my hands, my arms—all of that.
You miss a lot by just hearing my voice.
It’s a performance, it really is, and I love doing it.”

~ Nancy Wilson,
Song Stylist, Singer (Blues, Jazz, Cabaret, Pop & soul)
Grammy Awards (2007, 2005 1964, 3X)

Laugh & Be Friends

“Well, I think that’s one of the biggest secrets of marriage;
you have to be able to laugh and be friends.”

~ Priscilla Marie ‘Cece’ Winans Love,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Talk Show Host, Speaker,
Author, Dove Awards (23X) Stellar Awards (15X) & Grammy Awards (12X)

Her Da Da’s Admiration

“She’s so wonderful. Just seeing her evolve into a little person
has definitely been one of the highlights of my life. She’s just really fun.”

~ Carter Oosterhouse,
Carpenter, Television Host, Model, Author, Founder – Carter’s Kids,
Co-Founder – Bonobo Winery, Co-Founder – SmartHouse

What’s Really Loved?

“There’s always time for what you really love.”

~ Sheryl Lee Ralph,
Actress, Singer, Author,Activist & Independent Spirit Award (1991

He’s Been in My Corner from the Time We Met

 

“I married somebody who is very secure.
He’s been in my corner from the time we met,
and we grew in this together.”

~ Susan Lucci,
Actress, Television Host, Author, Entrepreneur,
Hollywood Walk of Fame Star (2005), Broadcasting Hall of Fame (2006),
Founder – The Susan Lucci Collection, Disney Legend (2015)

Knowing You Are Loved

“If you enter this world knowing you are loved
and you leave this world knowing the same,
then everything that happens in between can be dealt with.”

~ Michael Jackson,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Dancer & Actor.

A Failure at Something Loved

“I’d rather be a failure at something I love, than a success at something I hate.”

~ George Burns,
Comedian, Actor, Singer, Writer,
Academy Award (1975), Hollywood Walk of Fame Stars (3x)

Love: The Greatest Gift We Have

“Love is so unconditional. Love liberates.
… and so I think it is the greatest gift we have.”

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

Deep-Burning & Unquenchable Love

“Love is like a friendship caught on fire.
In the beginning a flame, very pretty, often hot and fierce,
but still only light and flickering.
As love grows older, our hearts mature and
our love becomes as coals, deep-burning and unquenchable.”

~ Bruce Lee,
Actor, Film Director, Martial Artist,
Philosopher & Founder of Jeet Kune Do (martial art)

Life Together in the Years to Come

“If you’re going to get engaged make sure you’ve talked
to your partner about life together in the years to come.”

~ Patti Stanger,
Businesswoman, Matchmaker, Author &
Founder & CEO – Millionaire’s Club International, Inc

Dad Wrote Me a Letter

“I used to be a calligrapher for weddings and events – that was my side job while I was auditioning.
I think handwritten notes are a lost art form.
When I booked my first pilot, my dad wrote me a letter that I still have.
The idea of someone taking the time to put pen to paper is really special.”

~ Meghan Markle,
Duchess of Sussex,
Actress, Model, Calligrapher,
Founder & Editor-in-Chief – The Tig (2014-2017)
& Humanitarian

My Best Friend Growing Up

“When grandpa was ill and could’ve died,
I would have swapped all my record sales so he could get well.
He is the reason I am a singer.
He was my best friend growing up.”

~ Michael Buble
Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Record Producer,
American Music Award (2010), Grammy Awards (4X),
Juno Awards (13X) & BC Entertainment Hall of Fame (2009)

Hand-holding, Flowers & Nice Gestures

“A common misconception about strong women
is that we don’t need
the hand-holding, the flowers, and the nice gestures,
and what I’ve found to be true
is that it’s the strong women who want it the most.”

~ Nicole Curtis,
Investor, Realtor, Author
& House Restorer, Host – Rehab Addict

Motherhood is Absolutely Amazing

“Motherhood is a dream. It really is absolutely amazing.”

~ Jessica Simpson,
Singer, Actress & Philanthropist

Waiting for Love

“Sometimes love takes a long time.
Wait for love and you’re gonna get the chance to love.
… When you take the chance on love, you see.
It’s not a waste of time, if you truly believe.”

~ Luther Vandross,
Singer, Songwriter & Record Producer

An Equal Need for Love

“All men and women have an equal need for love.
When these needs are not fulfilled
it is easy to have our feelings hurt,
for which we blame our partner.”

~ John Gray,
Author, Relationship Counselor & Lecturer

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It’s Just That Amazing Love

“I am just so appreciative of God’s love.
It’s higher than any mountain,
wider than any ocean,
and wider than the whole universe.
His love is just that amazing!”

~ Fred Hammond,
Singer, Bass Guitar Player, Record Producer, Grammy Award (2008), Grammy Noms (12x),
Stellar Awards (4x), Stellar Noms (23x), Dove Awards (6x) & Dove Noms (6x)

Experience the Glory

“If we want to know God personally, to relate to Him intimately,
we must be prepared to receive and experience His glory.”

~ Ché Ahn,
Co-Founder & Co-Pastor of HRock Church, Founder – Harvest International Ministry,
Founder – International Chancellor of Wagner Leadership Institute & Writer

Love’s Call

“Love calls on you to do things you don’t want to do sometimes.
It calls on you to care for people you wouldn’t typically want to care for.
It causes you to go fishing with folks you don’t want to be around.”

~ Larnelle Harris,
Singer, Songwriter, Grammy Awards (5X) & Dove Awards (11X)

Some of the Most Beautiful Parts of Life

While single, I couldn’t believe “how much people would judge a woman’s worth
or judge how successful she is based on whether or not she’s married.
And I’m not slamming marriage — marriage and family are some of the most beautiful parts of my life.
But everybody meets their own person in their own time,
and I don’t think a woman should be looked at like,
‘Oh, you’re still not married?’ Why do people still think that way?!”

~ Holly Madison
Model, Showgirl, Television Personality & Author

Do You Appreciate YOU?

“You need to love your life; you have to appreciate yourself.”

~ Victoria Osteen,
Co-Pastor, Author, Philanthropist &
Founder, Lakewood Church Women’s Ministry

Do You Love What You Do?

“Success is not the key to happiness.
Happiness is the key to success.
If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

~ Albert Schweitzer,
Theologian, Organist, Philosopher,
Physician, Philanthropist, and Medical Missionary

~ Image via NAME HERE

Flowering Love

“Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow.”

~ John Winston Lennon,
Musician, Singer, Songwriter,
Record Producer, Artist, Writer & Activist

Christmas’ Spirit of Love

“My brothers and sisters, may the spirit of love
which comes at Christmastime
fill our homes and our lives
and linger there long after the tree is down
and the lights are put away for another year.”

~ Thomas Spencer Monson,
Author

Unashamed in My Love

“I’ve always loved Christmas and that’s not really gone away from me from being a child to now.
It’s always a magical time and I’m unashamed in my love for Christmas.”

~ Martin Freeman,
Actor

The Perfect Time to Celebrate

“Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate the love of God and family
and to create memories that will last forever.
Jesus is God’s perfect, indescribable gift.
The amazing thing is that not only are we able to receive this gift,
but we are able to share it with others on Christmas
and every other day of the year.”

~ Joel Osteen,
Founder – Lakewood Church TV,
Senior Pastor – Lakewood Church & Author

Giving Without a Thought of Getting

“Christmas is the spirit of giving without a thought of getting.
It is happiness because we see joy in people. It is forgetting self and finding time for others.
It is discarding the meaningless and stressing the true values.”

~ Thomas Spencer Monson,
Author

Uncharted Territory: Keep An Eye On It

“You’ll never be disappointed if you always keep an eye on uncharted territory,
where you’ll be challenged and growing and having fun.”

~ Kirstie Alley,
Actress, Comedian, Spokes-model & Founder – Organic Liason

The Manic Pursuit

“The manic pursuit of success cost me everything I could love:
my wife, my three children, some friends I would have liked to grow old with.”

~ Sammy Davis, Jr.,
Singer, Actor, Dancer & Comedian

Use It Only When You Mean It

“Love is a special word, and I use it only when I mean it.
You say the word too much and it becomes cheap. ”

~ Ray Charles,
Singer-Songwriter, Musician & Composer

Less Than 100% Perfect

“I wish there were two of me and 48-hour days
so I could get everything done.
But for me, I have to not try and think that everything
has to be 100% perfect all the time
and leave room for error.
As long as my kids feel loved and a priority,
everything really is secondary.”

~ Jessica Alba,
Actress, Entrepreneur & Philanthropist

Our Best Days are Ahead

“I seriously feel like the best days are ahead,
and I like the idea of getting to do everything I did before but with
more knowledge, experience, and street smarts. There’s a certain love,
appreciation, and gratitude that you have at 40 that you don’t
have when you’re younger, and it makes every accomplishment feel so much better.”

~ Jennifer Lynn Lopez,
Actress, Author, Fashion Designer, Dancer, Producer & Singer

Being Right to the Fellow Men

“I always kind of thought, “I want to be a good person,
I want to be right to my fellow men and love them like we’re supposed to.””

~ Gladys Knight,
Singer, Songwriter, Actress & Businesswoman

A Big Reason for My Life

“People in love look into each other’s souls,
and it is that feeling that I try to capture when I sing.
I listen to the people.
That was a big reason for my life, maybe the main reason,
I’m singing because I love it when people say to me,
‘Thank you.’ I thank them. It’s a marriage.”

~ Julio Iglesias,
a.k.a. Julio José Iglesias de la Cueva
Singer, Songwriter, Guinness Record (3x),
2600+ Certified Gold and Platinum Albums,
Grammy Award, Latin Grammy, World Music Award,
Billboard Awards, Silver Gull, ASCAP,
American Music Award & Lo Nuestro Awards

Make Not Terrorists & Racists

“Children should be taught to
love & respect,
not to
hate and kill.”

~ Benjamin Netanyahu,
Author & Prime Minister of Israel (9th & 13th)

The Greatness of A Community

“The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by
the compassionate acts of its members,
a heart of grace and
a soul generated by love.”

~ Coretta Scott King,
Author, Activist, Civil Rights Leader

A Happier State of Mine

“To be interested in the changing seasons is . . .
a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.”

~ George Santayana,
a.k.a. Jorge Agustín Nicolás Ruiz de Santayana y Borrás,
Philosopher, Essayist, Poet & Novelist

Let’s Find Common Ground

“I like to see myself as a bridge builder,
that is me building bridges
between people, between races, between cultures, between politics,
trying to find common ground.”

~ T. D. Jakes, Sr.,
Bishop/Chief Pastor of The Potter’s House,
Author & Filmmaker

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)

Appreciation, Respect, Chivalry & Love

“Although I have a lot of close female friends in my life,
my number one is still my mom.
Without her, I wouldn’t have the values that I have
and see the world the way that I do today.
She taught me how to appreciate and respect women.
She taught me chivalry and how to love a woman
and respect their feelings and emotions.”

 

“Let a woman have her place,
because as you provide foundation for her,
she provides a foundation for you.
And through that vulnerability comes strength.”

~ Shemar Moore,
Actor & Model

Serving Others

“I feel an important part of beauty is not only what you do on the outside,
but also what you put into the inside.
Good fresh food with many vegetables along with love and caring for others.
I spend way more time serving others than I do on my beauty routine daily.”

~Kim Alexis,
Model, Actress & Marathoner

A Culture of Narcissism

“Self-admiration has created a culture of narcissism and a “love gap” that diminishes us.
What the world needs most is a love that is the polar opposite of narcissism.
A love that is selfless and self-abandoning.
A love that does not ask,
“What’s in it for me?” but “What’s in it for those I am privileged to know?”
A love that isn’t about being served but serving others.
Your dreams come alive when you are preoccupied with making other people’s dreams come true.
That is where real happiness is found.”

~ Mark Chironna,
Pastor, Life Coach, Author, Founder – The Masters Touch International Church
& Founder – The Dream Builders Network

To Be Ever So Alive

“A man without ambition is dead. A man with ambition, but no love is dead.
A man with ambition and love for his blessings here on earth is ever so alive.”

~ Pearl Bailey,
Singer, Actress & Author
Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (1976)
Presidential Medal of Freedom (1988).
Tony Award (1968) & Daytime Emmy Award (1986)

Truly Love from The Soul

“Let us dream of tomorrow where we can truly love from the soul,
and know love as the ultimate truth
at the heart of all creation.”

~ Michael Jackson,
Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Dancer & Actor.

Looking Within

“The hardest thing to find in life is balance –
especially the more success you have,
the more you look to the other side of the gate.
What do I need to stay grounded, in touch, in love,
connected, emotionally balanced? Look within yourself.”

~ Celine Dion,
Singer, Founder of Nickels Restaurant & Philanthropist

Respected and Accepted

“When men and women are able to respect and accept
their differences
then love has a chance to blossom.”

~ John Gray,
Author, Relationship Counselor & Lecturer

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Treat Them Well

“When you love someone, you treat them well.”

~ Tippi Hedren ,
Actress, Animal Rights Activist & Fashion Model

Big Hugs

“When I come home, my daughter will run to the door and give me a big hug,
and everything that’s happened that day just melts away.”

~ Hugh Jackman,
Actor, Singer, Producer, Tony Award,
Emmy Award, Golden Globe (2013) & Philanthropist

Taking the Time to Raise Them

“I know I did the right thing
by taking time off to raise my son.”

~ Arsenio Hall,
Comedian, Actor, Talk Show Host,
NAACP Image Award (1988) & American Comedy Award (1989)

Time Is …

“If you love life don’t waste time,
for time is what life is made up of.”

~ Bruce Lee,
Actor, Film Director, Martial Artist,
Philosopher & Founder of Jeet Kune Do (martial art)

The Once-In-a-Lifetime Love

“A song like ‘Once in a Lifetime’ is inspired by my marriage –
it’s a good, life-changing happening in my life.
… your once-in-a-lifetime love, that’s what everybody’s looking for.”

~ Keith Urban,
Singer, Songwriter, Guitarist,
Musician & Record Producer