We asked folks to tell us about their favorite quote or affirmation and to tell us what it means to them. We’ve shared some of those responses below.

Jason Grooms | Artist, Photographer, Polymath

“Walk towards the fear.” As a lifelong sufferer of anxiety disorder and an adult on the spectrum, the world is an overly scary place for me, particularly when it comes to interacting with people. Most of my life was spent looking for ways to avoid the things I was afraid of the potential situations that always played out in my head like a 4K widescreen movie. But one day I felt like I needed to take a chance, to see what happened. I told myself I was going to walk toward the thing that was terrifying in my head and see what happened. What I learned is that the fear I’m walking towards is almost always overblown and the movie never plays out for real. I started trying it with other things, my career, my personal life, my art. In almost all cases, the fear wasn’t half as bad as the reality I reached. Read more>>

Leanne Joy Alcantara | Photographer

“Do it because you love it.” It’s not the exact phrase, but I’ve heard someone say this before, and it has been one of the best affirmations for me. Some people think that following your passion is hard. And I agree, being a photographer, it’s hard to even get clients that would want to work with you. Everyone has their own struggles and obstacles to overcome, but would you really call it “Passion” if you don’t give it your all or if you don’t even try? Some days, I think about if I’m good enough, or if people even like my photos, But I remind myself that it doesn’t matter. I love what I do, and that’s all that matters to me. Read more>>

Crishuna Scott | Cosmetologist and Loctician

A strand of three cords is not easily broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 To me this means that you by yourself are strong .. but when you have support you can get through anything. I was taught hard life lessons about life at the tender age of 9. One in particular was going into foster care with my other two siblings. While we were together and families took all of us.. I felt like we could get through that. Once there were adopted I felt alone. I realized that love and support made me feel strong! I searched for it for a long time until I realized I still had those strands within my heart and I am not easily broken. Read more>>