Quotes by Donna Lynn Hope

One womans definition of success may not be anothers. Is success, as the world defines it, an accomplishment in a society this sick?

He studied the woman before him, not as lovely as she once was, ordinary in appearance, scarred by living, abandoned by many, breathtakingly to be near and altogether unforgettable. I have no friends, she spoke forth hauntingly. I am alone. He couldnt believe it. But then he could for the rare creature near enough to touch was out of their league. She wasnt envied for the shallowness of appearance or the superficiality of status or possessions; she was envied for being uncommon and for possessing indomitable strength, something only a lifetime of suffering could shape.

For those who have learned what suffering is early on, you have prepared ahead of the pack so that you can take care of the pack.

Her scar tissue, which she seems to amass both physically and mentally, may not be pretty, but they have become tougher than if she had never been wounded at all.

Only strong women, and they seem to be rare, can handle a frank and direct woman who doesnt sweet-talk or need others to nerve her. You can identify the easily intimidated because they need a gaggle of like-minded clones to back them up when they feign offense, which is merely a guise for their insecurity.

In a fit of anger he had said to her, Youll always be miserable, to which she thoughtfully replied, Is that so? Its impossible to be miserable when youve known tragedy and hardship. Both strengthen and refine a person to the point where they may have moments of grief and sadness, but misery is known only to those who have a sense of entitlement...you know, people like you.

I dont admire the person who hides from the world and claims enlightenment. To be purified you have to be tested and there is no better test of strength than dealing with other people.

We start our sometimes tedious, sometimes exciting, often times sad and stressful march to the grave the moment were born, so it might as well be a march worth remembering.

What have I to prove, and to whom, and why? Im keen enough to want nothing more than to live a simple, humble, unfettered life.

Powerful words that penetrate the psyche are not forgotten while silence is.

Its hard to part the curtains when the dark holds such familiarity.

The people you think are the happiest are usually the saddest; thats because they see more and feel deeper than others do. They are the sensitive and they see beyond the veil of whats tangible and whats not. They wear no masks and can see through the masks of others. The sensitive to life are few in number, which is why they feel so alone...because they are all alone.

I smile when I want to cry. I laugh when I want to die.

Regret is her companion and the one who whispers to her often. She has even let hope die and that brings about despair.

The only time she has anything resembling a life is when she sleeps because when she sleeps she can dream.

Strangers were a fairytale full of possibilities not yet corrupted by reality while caregivers were the reality – and everything that couldnt be counted upon.

A relationship, of any kind, requires two. Some people want it all and expect it all, always looking outward, so often saying what they deserve, even more saying what they want, and all thinking another should provide it for them, but do they ever bother to be the person they think someone else would love to have? Perhaps, in order to get that better love, extend it first.

If there had once been a chance and there had once been love, then it will still be there in spite of time and obstacles. If you can get past that, you can get past a lot.

While it is good to apologize and ask forgiveness from God, it’s just as important (perhaps more so) to extend it towards the person you wronged. Becoming a better person or trying to make amends with the universe only works when you start with the one you owe it to.

Dont focus on her hiss. Remember her purr.