Courtney A Walsh Quotes

Dear Human: You've got it all wrong. You didn't come here to master unconditional love. This is where you came from and where you'll return. You came here to learn personal love. Universal love. Messy love. Sweaty Love. Crazy love. Broken love. Whole love. Infused with divinity. Lived through the grace of stumbling. Demonstrated through the beauty of... messing up. Often. You didn't come here to be perfect, you already are. You came here to be gorgeously human. Flawed and fabulous. And rising again into remembering. But unconditional love? Stop telling that story. Love in truth doesn't need any adjectives. It doesn't require modifiers. It doesn't require the condition of perfection. It only asks you to show up. And do your best. That you stay present and feel fully. That you shine and fly and laugh and cry and hurt and heal and fall and get back up and play and work and live and die as YOU. Its enough. It's Plenty.

You don't forgive people for their benefit. You do it for yours. Because if you don't, it'll eat you alive. Jealousy, envy, holding a grudge- they rot you from the inside out.

Happiness isn't that hard to find, you know. It's everywhere. It's all around us. But it's not something that happens to us. It's something we seek. It's something we pursue.

Maybe these simple, little, ordinary things are the big things I’m meant to accomplish with my life.

If I'm not willing to feel the pain of life, how can I ever expect to feel the joy

We all have our stuff. We all have holes, and we all have scars. And we all have things we’d rather keep hidden, because we think it’s easier not to burden someone else with our baggage.

Please, Lauren,” Will said. “You know you’re not the kind of girl you date.” “Ouch.” He leveled her gaze. “You’re the kind of girl you marry.

Life is beautiful and horrible and wonderful and awful all at the same time

Do you know how much you’re missing in the moment by always wishing you were somewhere else?

Some things are true, regardless of who you are. Saying something kind and from the heart is never a bad idea, and it’s never the wrong thing to do.

Maybe happiness isn’t about what you do, Isadora. Maybe it’s about who you do it with. Or simply about accepting who you are.

One thing was for sure: time didn’t heal all wounds. Some were still every bit as fresh as the day they were inflicted.

People could not be trusted. They always let you down, and Will Sinclair had already proven that to her, hadn’t he?

Fictional men are always better than the real ones. Always. Probably because they’re written by women.

People don’t always let us become who we are. They try to keep us in the box of who we were.

Is it possible that the happy days and the sad days, I don’t know, need each other somehow? As if the two things have to coexist for either to matter at all?

Lane closed her eyes and pressed her lips together at the sound of the nickname, a thousand memories whirling through her mind. He hadn’t meant it to hurt her, but even the smallest nick could reopen old wounds.

He stilled. He knew she was leaving—this wasn’t a surprise—but how did he tell her he didn’t want her to go? That he wanted to know all the things that made her sad, all the things that made her laugh? That he wanted to reach over and wipe those tears away?

It was, without question, one of the best days of her entire adult life. Because of him.

Flirts flirt. Players play. Charmers charm. And girls like Lauren? They get their heart broken because they always seem to try and give it to the wrong people.

Nobody deserves forgiveness, Will. That’s the point. That’s what grace is.

Time shrinks when it’s not paid attention to.

She supposed that’s what grace was—a second chance that isn’t deserved.

Because he is a recipe for disaster. A literal recipe. Two cups of charm, three ounces of inappropriate flirting, and a dash of dimples make for a very, very broken heart.

Yeah, I feel super sorry for you that you have to be locked in a car with a guy that looks like Chris Evans after the super soldier serum.

Mom always says when you think something good about someone, you should say it out loud,

You have to feel the pain in order to heal.

Taking it all in. Slowing down. Being present. Savoring this exact moment for exactly what it is.

impossible for two attractive medical professionals to take a simple elevator ride that doesn’t end in a make-out session.

seeing him there served as a well-placed reminder that life was short and people were what mattered most.

Replacing the girl reading the book on the porch was this beautiful, closed-off, honest, waiting-to-be-cracked open woman who challenged his contentment simply by living her life. He didn’t want to be challenged. He was just fine with the status quo. Why did she have to go around inspiring him? It was not what he’d signed up for.

Happiness isn’t that hard to find, you know. It’s everywhere. It’s all around us. But it’s not something that happens to us. It’s something we seek. It’s something we pursue. And you’ll never find it if you never let anyone in.

Easy, laid back and sexy as all get out. That pretty much summed up Josh Dixon. And none of those things were what she should be thinking about right now. Untrustworthy, unreliable and unfaithful. That’s what she should be thinking.

This wasn’t just some girl—this was Lauren. Lauren, the girl you marry.

All at once she was eighteen, a stupid girl with a stupid crush who believed that someone like Will might actually see her as anything more the his best friend's kid sister.

No boyfriend?” he asked. “Nope,” she said. “I don’t mind being alone.” But the words didn’t ring true. She added, quietly, “People just can’t be trusted.

When you’re young and full of invulnerable optimism, dreams are as easy as “Oh, I’ll just try that.” Everything seems attainable

So it’s not what you thought it was going to be—that doesn’t mean it can’t still be something amazing.

I nod. "Yeah, I'm on the step where I tell her exactly how I feel and she kisses me behind the fudge shop." I deadpan.

We’re strong, capable women, but we still like to be told we’re pretty.

Her mantra is, “Come as you are, and there will be food.

Life is beautiful and horrible and wonderful and awful all at the same time’?” He looks at me then. “And that is the adventure.

She live on purpose -- like she used every color in the crayon box. The big box, too, with the built-in sharpener.

I glance at the line. It’s moving as fast as a sloth on Benadryl.

The problem with holding in that hurt is that you’re stuck at that door, hand on the doorknob, every day. You don’t move forward because you’re too busy holding things back.

I want to belong to someone. I want to be safe. I want to be lifted up. I want to have a spot, I want to share unspoken secrets with a look, and I want the wind to make me soar.

Mornings are the best time of day, Isadora. A clean slate. A chance to do better than you did yesterday.

I'm not wasting my time chopping up a pineapple, for Pete's sake. I've got life to avoid.

How many other incorrect assumptions had I made, seeing the world through my jaded lense?

I think it’s better to be present than it is to be on time.

We didn’t have enough years together. We didn’t have enough time. It could’ve been a hundred, and it still wouldn’t have been enough.

The wounds, even as old as many of them are, somehow still feel heavy. A mother who never protected me still has an effect on me years later.

She glanced at Betsy, who smiled as if they’d always been friends, the kind who could communicate without words, the kind who knew what the other one needed whether anyone said so or not.

As a defense mechanism, Isadora Bentley often held full-on conversations with people in her unique and spectacular head. It made up for all the conversations she didn't have in real life.

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. Time gives you distance and perspective. The time we had wasn’t enough, but it wasn’t nothing. I lived twenty-two amazing years as their son. And that was a gift.

She couldn’t deny that a part of her was tipping over the precipice that held up her resolve. A part of her was falling for every single word, every crooked smile, every flash of his blue eyes.

Don’t let the precious moments pass you by, Cam. Take snapshots in your mind. Seal them in good and tight. These are the things you’ll carry with you. These are the moments that will keep you young.

She knew her artwork reflected a side of her personality she didn’t typically let out. The side that wasn’t completely concerned with getting everything right. In a way, art gave her a chance to play.

I didn't have anyone, I spent a lot more time alone. I loved reading, and I know it sounds stupid, but the characters in the books I read became my best friends. The only ones who would never hurt me.

Tonight, God was showing off, as pink and blue melded into purple, touched with a warm orange glow and the outline of the clouds, the fields, and the dusty road that seemed to stretch out in front of them forever

Dot, the truth is, we aren’t a couple.” Dot gasped, and brought her hand to her chest. “No!” “It’s true,” he continued. Will then reached across the table and took Lauren’s hand. “But if the stars align and things work out, the first time I kiss this woman is going to be because I want to—not because some tradition told me I had to.” Lauren froze in place, as if Will’s hand on hers shocked her body rigid. Dot let out a squeal. “Well, that was the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard!

Lyndie was still something of a mystery to him. Hard to know, with an exterior that would be difficult to crack, but he wouldn't stop trying until she let him in. Something told him she would be worth the extra effort--did she see that about herself? Would she ever?

The wind is in control of the kite, but the kite doesn’t mind. It’s what actually makes a kite a kite. I’m starting to think I need to let go to soar. It’s such an odd feeling for me. It’s so different from what I’m used to. It’s like I’m being magnetically pulled in a completely new direction.

No, Isadora,” he says. “You were trusting.” “Which is basically the same thing.” He reaches out and takes my hand. “You just trusted the wrong person.” I meet his eyes, and I want to believe him. That ever-present voice calling out at the back of my mind—He’s just like everyone else! He’s going to leave too!—is strangely silent.

Will walked into the bathroom while Lauren cowered, turned a circle in the small bathroom, and announced, “I don’t see anything.” “No, no, no.” She crept in, and pointed a shaking finger. “It was on the wall of the shower. It was right there, Will. It was huge!” “Huge?” “It had fur. It was the size of a small dog.” Will let out a laugh, then stopped, held up both hands as if to say ‘sorry.’ “I take it you don’t like spiders?

Step one: “Smile more.” No problem. I have a lovely smile. I catch a glimpse of myself in the glass of my fireplace and try it out. Hmm. I try again with teeth. Yikes. But I can do this. Of course I can. How hard can it be to smile? Chapter 3 Turns out, smiling is hard. I have a new appreciation for models. I’d always assumed it was easy to stand there and let someone take photos of you. I now understand it is not easy. My smile lands somewhere between “feeding hyena” and “painful constipation.

Just one thing. . .” Dallas starts. I can tell by the tone that he thinks he’s going to be funny. I turn and look at him, waiting. He’s scrunching up his face. “Him? You picked him?” “Shut up right now if you know what’s good for you.” “I mean, maybe with the lights off, or from far away, maybe, but up close?” he shudders. “That’s it. You’re on lockdown.” He gets on his knees. “Wait! No! I was kidding! I. . .” I hold up a hand. “Nope.” I take my pointer finger and circle my face and torso. “This? All of this? Now off limits.

I’m not telling you that so you’ll feel bad. I just think you need to understand the whole picture. I don’t ever put myself in a situation where I might get hurt.” She kicked at something invisible, her shoe leaving an imprint in the thin layer of freshly fallen snow. “I don’t like taking risks on anyone other than myself, and only then when I’ve done so much research it doesn’t feel risky anymore. I focus on the things I can control. I date guys I have no real interest in because I know they can’t hurt me. I’m perfectly content to spend my weekends working or reading or reading about my work.

He’d made it his daily goal to pull one great smile out of Lane Kelley. The days he succeeded, those were the days he lived for.

my Me-maw.

You know that unkindness just makes you get old before your time.” “That’s true,” Dad calls from the living room. “Rots your bones and makes you constipated! Look at your Aunt June!

To search her eyes for happiness and contentment—two things I want for her more than anything else.

I turn toward him. “Max, what is it that you want?” “You.” He holds my gaze for a heated moment.

Look, everyone’s got history. Everyone has baggage. If you’re lucky enough to find someone willing to lug it around for you, you should let them. It doesn’t have to be ‘til death do you part. Just go have some fun!

My reasons for leaving haven’t changed. It was never about a lack of feelings for her—quite the opposite. The fact was, I loved Marin too much. And I’m afraid that hasn’t changed.

me, “if a person is thoughtful, that sticks. Doesn’t that matter more? Just because someone is good at being sappy or thinking up romantic gestures, that doesn’t mean they’re worthy of your love.” She levels my gaze. “And just because they aren’t good at those things doesn’t mean they aren’t.

Because times change. People change. ‘Life moves pretty fast. And if you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

you're

Thoughtful. Again. Still

I get it now. I understand why someone would be a fool for love. That whole 'then you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest if your life to start as soon as possible' thing makes sense to me now

I'm too picky. Maybe she doesn't realize it, but that's not the reason I'm holding out for someone as hopelessly romantic as me -not entirely. The main reason is I haven't met anyone who makes me feel the way Owen does. Er, did. Continues to do.

Courtney hasn’t come in.’ Shrill with stress, Emilien was balancing four fried breakfasts on his arms. ‘She’s not at home and she’s not answering her mobile.’ ‘But …’ Courtney hadn’t even been drinking last night at Ben’s. Unless she had abandoned that plan and was currently sleeping off a hangover in a bed other than her own? And that was the least-worst scenario. ‘Let me see what I can find out.’ I grabbed three muffins and hurried upstairs to the bridal suite. Last night after I’d slunk, devastated, out of

I do have an idea,” I tell him. “But it might be stupid.” “In love, there’s no such thing,” he says in a sing-songy voice. I step out of the ring. “Oh, we’re done?” “Yeah, I don’t fight girls.

The wind is in control of the kite, but the kite doesn’t mind. It’s what actually makes a kite a kite.

If this were an episode of Bridgerton,he'd be the "rake

She wanted to quietly drift back into the shadows and live a life where nobody got hurt. Was that too much to ask?

For her part, she knew she was plain. She didn't make herself up or pay a whole lot of attention to how she looked. It didn't seem worth her time.After all, she had no real interest in dating.

Somehow, in this moment, I know that even if Simon and I never become more than friends, he still might be the greatest love of my life.

I resist the urge to explain that by "anything," I really do mean "anything." Because that's what I'd do to have her in my life. No moving to Seattle. No starting over. I'm all in.

Simon grins down at me. "I'm going to spend the rest of my life love you, Madeline Rogers." "And I'll happily return the favor.

Life is what’s happening while you’re busy making other plans’?

I’ve believed in the potential for something serious. Something that might last forever. I’m not a person who guards my heart, I’m a person who offers it freely, willingly, pathetically.

Let’s normalize practical romance instead of holding guys to an impossible, unrealistic standard. Nobody is going to check all those boxes, no matter what your romance novels say.

Your heart is so big, Eloise. And so tender.” “And you just keep giving pieces of it away.” Raya’s face is earnest, not judgmental.

Every time I’ve been in a relationship, I always thought there was the possibility of it lasting forever. I had hope. Every time.

Memories, certain ones, have a way of zipping together the past and the present. What was once completely separate is now entangled. What you felt then, you feel now, and you’re unable to pull them apart.

The melodramatic apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

I tilt my head slightly in “only my mom” realization because she’s wearing a reindeer headband. A jingly, Christmas reindeer headband. I’ll even bet it. . . My mom reaches up and presses an unseen button. “It lights up! Isn’t it adorable?

She left me a note telling me where to meet her for the parade this afternoon. It was written in green ink on red paper that smelled like cinnamon.

Her voice trails off, and she’s holding the medal like she opened a present on Christmas morning and it turned out to be an avocado.