The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life

Even if you are learning facts that you are not going to be able to use in your daily life, it enriches you – the fact itself just enriches you as a human being and broadens your outlook on life and makes you a more understanding and better person.

A good education and a kind heart will serve you well throughout your entire life.

...the longer I've lived with cancer, the more my definition of toughness has changed. I used to think not crying meant you were tough. Now I think crying means you're tough. It means you're strong enough to be honest and vulnerable. It means you're not pretending. And not pretending, being able to let your guard down and show people how you truly feel and admit that you're a wuss, is one of the toughest things a person can do.

Don’t worry about it. Just look ahead to the next question. You didn’t get here by accident. You passed the test. You deserve to be here. These categories maybe don’t line up with your areas of expertise. But you’re bright. Keep your head up. Move forward. Keep going.

I just enjoy the moment I’m in. For me, life is a whole experience, not just a series of isolated moments. It’s like submerging yourself into a warm bath rather than sticking your toe under the faucet. It’s the totality of life

But don't get me wrong...driving a truck doesn't make me a redneck. I don't have a gun rack in it. I have a wine rack.

I don't like to use the words batting or fighting when talking about cancer. It suggests that there are only two outcomes: winning and losing. If you don't get well, then you are a "loser." If you have decided to stop treatment, you are "giving up." That's nonsense....It is not a fair fight. Not even close. It is simple biology. You get treatment and you get better. Or you don't. And neither outcome is an indication of your strength as a person.

most of the great accomplishments of the world have not been made by people who were certain.

There is nothing worse than deluding yourself and trying to make yourself out to be somebody you're not--somebody you're not comfortable being.

Courage is a conscious decision. You do it in a dangerous situation, when you have a choice.

What the world needs now is a conscience.

Thanks in great part to twenty-four-hour cable news and social media. modern politics pits us against one another. It forces us to choose a side and has convinced us our side is right and the other side is wrong. If you don't agree with me, you are my enemy. There is no room for compromise. That's unfortunate. Because most of the great accomplishments of the world have not been made by people who were certain. The accomplishments have come about as a result of people who had doubts. 'I don't know if this is going to work. I don't know how to solve this problem.' And then they work on it.

Yet I still believe in the will to live. I believe in positivity. I believe in optimism. I believe in hope, and I certainly believe in the power of prayer.

Nineteen of the hottest years on earth have occurred since 2001. These are facts, not fiction. For people to deny global warming is beyond me. The planet is in trouble. It didn't happen overnight. It's taken 150 years to get to where we are today. So, we're not going to remedy this problem in a year or two. But we have to do something about it.

singer you did really well. You saved the number.” The director said the same thing at the end of the show. “You did a great job,” he told me. To which I replied: “Mr. Voice has sung his last song.” Messing up on live TV taught me an important lesson about show business: learn to laugh at yourself.

If you’re able to, you should share your experiences so that people out there can say, “I’m not alone. There’s somebody else going through the same thing, and they’re bearing up well. Maybe I can also.” If that’s a way for you to inspire people, then there is a lot of merit in that.

There’s nothing wrong with a man shedding a tear.

I think more people should include silliness as part of their daily routines.

Don't worry about it. Just look ahead to the next question. You didn't get here by accident. You passed the test. You deserve to be here. These categories maybe don't line up with your areas of expertise. But your bright. Keep your head up. Move forward. Keep going.

When you are part of a group, then you have a common purpose. A common goal. Your resolve is increased and you can do marvelous, marvelous things together that would not be possible if you were left to your own devices. It’s okay to think Rambo is great. But Rambo with a dozen other Rambos can accomplish tremendous things.

That's unfortunate. Because most of the great accomplishments of the world have not been made by people who were certain. The accomplishments have come about as a result of people who had doubts. "I don't know if this is going to work. I don't know how to solve this problem." And then they work on it. As opposed to, "Well, this is the way to solve the problem.

one of the most helpful things a person can do. Because sharing your feelings with others brings people closer together. It demonstrates an interest in developing an understanding. It demonstrates a caring. Because you have to figure there are some people out there who are going through the same stuff. A friend’s wife was recently diagnosed with cancer and is experiencing a lot of the same things that I’ve been going through. She’s experiencing pain. She’s experiencing fatigue. She’s experiencing depression. And I say, “Oh, thank God I’m not the only one!” If you’re able to, you should share your experiences so that people out there can say, “I’m not alone. There’s somebody else going through the same thing, and they’re bearing up well. Maybe I can also.” If that’s a way for you to inspire people, then there is a lot of merit in that.

What the world needs now is love, sweet love / It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.

I just enjoy the moment I'm in. For me, life is a whole experience, not just a series of isolated moments. It's like submerging yourself into a warm bath rather than sticking your toe under the faucet. It's the totality of life.