You. Me. Them. Everybody. Everybody.

I like words. A lot. I guess you could say that, now, I'm in the business of words -- writing and re-writing them. An equal joy, to me, is reading them.

Life has peaks and valleys; and I feel that the last week or so of my life has been more of a low point than a high one. I often turn to words when I need inspiration, reassurance and motivation.

I have a few favorites. This list is by no means exhaustive.

These are words that I love reading over and over and that I love having repeated to me. Maybe you'll love them too; And if you're life isn't at a high point right now, then I hope you too can draw inspiration from these words.

Ellwood's (Dan Akyroyd's) speech from The Blues Brothers:
"We're so glad to see so many of you lovely people here tonight. And we would especially like to welcome all the representatives of Illinois' law enforcement community, who have chosen to join us here in the Palace Hotel ballroom at this time. We do sincerely hope you all enjoy the show. And please remember, people, that no matter who you are and what you do to live, thrive and survive, there are still some things that makes us all the same. You. Me. Them. Everybody. Everybody."

I like having tangible objects emblazoned with quotes I like. Such as this mug I bought earlier this week with a Thoreau quote:

I own a print of this blog post by Jamie Tworkowski, founder of the mental health advocacy non-profit "To Write Love on Her Arms." It hangs on my wall.

This Caesar Chavez quote:
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”

"Pale Blue Dot" by Carl Sagan is one of the most powerful things I have ever heard. I listen to it every now and then, and I feel that it grounds me. I love reading the words written out, but my absolute favorite way to experience Pale Blue Dot is listening to Carl Sagan speak it.
If you have never listened to it, do so now. Pale Blue Dot changed my life -- I mean that whole-heartedly.