There are no happier people on this planet than those who decide that they want something, define what they want, get hold of the feeling of it even before it's manifestation, and then joyously watch the unfolding, as piece by piece, by piece it begins to unfold. That's the feeling of your hands in the clay

As long as you are going to be thinking anyway, think big!

"Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in this one arena I believe I truly belong. I was set free, because my greatest fear had already been realised and I was still alive. I still had a daughter whom I adored and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. So rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.

I believe most people want to understand…once they realize that they didn’t understand before.

I do not believe...I know. I have had the experience of being gripped by something that is far stronger than myself, something that people call God.

The function of music is to quiet and sober the mind, thus rendering it susceptible to divine influences

This became a credo of mine...attempt the impossible in order to improve your work.

The first question I ask myself when something doesn't seem to be beautiful is why do I think it's not beautiful. And very shortly you discover that there is no reason.

You're not going to be able to work this thing out. There's no solution to this mess. The only moment that you can live here comfortably in these absolutely irreconcilable conflicts is when you embrace it all and say, "Look, I don't understand a f---ing thing at all. Hallelujah!"

You know the opportunities bestowed upon people by God are short-lived