Marian Wright Edelman

"Failure is just another way to learn how to do something right."

— Marian Wright Edelman

American Activist

1939 - 

Too often we believe failure is something bad.  We have been conditioned by our parents, our schools and society to believe that failure is a negative.  We need to change our perspective of what failure means.  A failure is an opportunity to try again — to start over, to have another chance.  A failure is not the end of the road unless we give up.  Failure is a great teacher.  We learn about ourselves and others.  Sometimes we learn more in failure than we do through success.  So the next time you receive a rejection slip, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow.  

Marian Wright Edelman

"Learn to be quiet enough to hear the sound of the genuine within yourself so that you can hear it in others."

— Marian Wright Edelman

American Author
and Child's Rights Activist

1939 -

Our world today is filled with man-made noise that drowns out many of sounds that can be heard in nature as well as the voice with in in our hearts.  Many of us cannot go anywhere without our I-Pods, I-Pads and I-phones or their equivalents.  We cannot live without filling our ears with sound.

As writers, musicians and artists we must learn to be quiet.  We must have the self-discipline to shut out the noise from the outside world and learn to listen to the small voice deep inside.  If we learn to hear that small gentle voice, then maybe we will one day be able to hear that voice in others.  We will be able to connect with others through the sounds of our voices.

Marian Wright Edelman

"Remember your roots, your history, and the forebearers' shoulders on which you stand.  And pass these roots on to your children and to other children."

— Marian Wright Edelman

American Author and
Founder, Children's Defense Fund

1939 - 

As writers, artists, dancers and actors, we need to know our roots, our history and the people on whose shoulders we stand.  To whom do we owe a deep debt of gratitude for paving the way.  Who are your mentors?  Those who have taught you about your profession?  Have you said thank you?

And have you passed on your knowledge onto others?  Have you been a teacher or a mentor?  Do you readily share your knowledge or do you keep your knowledge hidden?  Age and years of experience do not matter.  Even the novice has something to teach the master.  Any master who does not feel he can still learn something is not a true master.  We all must be open to new experiences and new ways of thinking.

This quote also applies to our family history.  On whose shoulders do you stand?  Were you like me to be the first in your family to attend college?  To whom do you owe thanks for who you became.  Without your parents, your grandparents or your great-grand parents, you would not be here.  Do you know your family history?  Have you collected your family stories?  Have you passed those stories onto your children and your grandchildren?