in-con-ve-nient / inkən’vēnyənt   adjective   inappropriate; untimely Poverty is not a disgrace, but it’s terribly inconvenient. Milton Berle, 1908-2002   not suitable for one’s purpose The novelist has a responsibility to adhere to the facts as closely as possible, and if they are inconvenient, that’s where the art comes in. Hilary Mantel, 1952-

dis-po-si-tion / dispə’ziSH(ə)n   noun   prevailing mood or temperament For I have learned that the greater part of our misery or unhappiness is determined not by our circumstances but by our disposition. Martha Washington, 1731-1802   the tendency of someone or something to act in a certain manner under a set of circumstances Nothing in human nature is so God-Like as the disposition... Read More

in-teg-ri-ty / inˈteɡrədē   noun   adherence to a strict moral code; honesty Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody’s going to know whether you did it or not. Oprah Winfrey, 1954-   the state of being whole; completeness An artist fights to retain the integrity of a work so that it remains a strong, clear vision. Maya Lin, 1959-  ... Read More

print / print   noun 1. a mark created by applied pressure; impression The fact is that when you do something from your heart, you leave a heart print. Alice Walker, 1944- 2. material with words which have been pressed on in ink Education is when you read the fine print; experience is what you get when you don’t. Pete Seeger, 1919-2014 3. block... Read More

o-pe-ra / ˈäp(ə)rə noun a dramatic composition featuring singers and instrumentalists, in which all dialogue is sung with accompaniment No good opera plot can be sensible, for people do not sing when they are feeling sensible. H. Auden, 1907-1973   the score of a musical drama I seem to write an opera about every 20 years; if you live long enough you can write... Read More

com-mit-ment / kəˈmitmənt   noun   a pledge to do something in the future It takes a deep commitment to change and even deeper commitment to grow. Ralph Ellison, 1914-1994   the act of having agreed to do something It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action, and discipline that enabled us to follow through. Zig Ziglar,... Read More

for-ward / ˈfôrwərd   adverb ahead; toward or at a point or time in advance You cannot propel yourself forward by patting yourself on the back. Traditional Proverb   toward the front You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety. Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970   adjective brash Saying that someone is “forward” implies that their advances are unwanted, perhaps... Read More

pros-per-i-ty / präˈsperədē   noun   the condition of thriving and having success In prosperity, our friends know us; in adversity, we know our friends. John Churton Collins, 1848-1908

ground-hog / ˈɡroundˌhäɡ,ˈɡroundˌhôɡ noun 1.      a woodchuck; a stocky marmot native to North America The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears. Bill Vaughan, 1915-1977

art / ärt   noun   a skill acquired by experience, practice, etc. To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. Kurt Vonnegut, 1922-2007   a branch of learning Poetry is one of the ancient arts, and it began as did all the fine arts, within the original wilderness of the earth. Mary Oliver,... Read More