Shannon L. Alder

"Vulnerability gives us freedom, power and connects us to a network of injured souls. It is through the art of being real that we can heal ourself and others."

"Angels come in many forms, but they always bring the same message--wisdom."

"Extraordinary change can happen in your life, but it will take extraordinary people, extraordinary courage and extraordinary faith to believe that this won't be a repeat of your past."

"You will never get what you want if you believe that you are not worthy of having it. God doesn't create us to be defeated."

"People that don't know what they are worth will always see their capture's wings, but never their tail."

"If your children know who God is they will know who they are, regardless of where you or they call home."

"When you can't escape your mind then God is telling your heart to catch up. Fight for the balance you need."

"Anyone can fail at something they really don’t want. What really takes courage is going after something you want and then failing. There is more fulfillment in life knowing that you tried, rather than settled without a fight."

"It is not through fighting the opposition that will win you dignity. It is when you fight the fear in yourself that asks you why you don't feel you have it, regardless if you win or lose."

"Surviving isn't around us, but in us."

"Dignity is never silent. It has a voice, heart and soul. Truth and courage is its foundation. It will stand against the masses and speak the truth. Because every great person has always done what others found fear in doing."

"There will be times in your life when you will have to stand alone in your pain and choke back all the injustice done to you. Letting go will be the hardest thing you have ever had to do because it means losing something you wish you didn't have to lose--the person that you care for. However, to be authentic--one person, it requires standing for truth as you know it to be, instead of having your dignity destroyed by another. It is a fire you have to walk through, in order to truly live. Sometimes, practicing faith by letting go is the most painful chapter of your life that will take every bit of courage for you to close, before you can be reborn."

"I don't fear the future. I fear letting it pass by me, without ever trying to make it mine."

"You're only a victim to the degree of what your perception allows."

"Her wounds brought her a great source of power because they lived in the same place as her heart."

"Sometimes you have to walk through the fire, in order to reach your calling."

"You are not an option, a choice or a soft place to land after a long battle. You were meant to be the one. If you can wrap yourself around the idea that you are something incredible, then you will stop excusing behavior that rapes your very soul. You were never meant to teach someone to love you. You were meant to be loved."

"Forget what hurt you in the past, but never forget what it taught you. However, if it taught you to hold onto grudges, seek revenge, not forgive or show compassion, to categorize people as good or bad, to distrust and be guarded with your feelings then you didn’t learn a thing. God doesn’t bring you lessons to close your heart. He brings you lessons to open it, by developing compassion, learning to listen, seeking to understand instead of speculating, practicing empathy and developing conflict resolution through communication. If he brought you perfect people, how would you ever learn to spiritually evolve?"

"One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself."

"Courage doesn’t happen when you have all the answers. It happens when you are ready to face the questions you have been avoiding your whole life."