My dad was a pump operator at the city water plant, and he didn't earn much money. But he was determined to pay whatever tiny part he owed for my tuition on time every month. So even though he had multiple sclerosis and often struggled just to get dressed in the morning, he hardly ever missed a day of work. His determination and love are an inspiration to me every day.
I'm always striving to be a better man to God, a better husband, a better Dad so it's just work, but I'm committed to it.
The virtues prized in free countries are honesty, self-discipline, a sense of responsibility to one's family, a sense of loyalty to one's employer and staff, and a pride in the quality of one's work. And these virtues only flourish in a climate of freedom.
My dad was an incredibly brave man, completely dedicated to his family, with a love for all. If I could be half the dad he was, to my children, then that will be an achievement in itself. He died 14 months exactly to the start of the 2012 Olympics. I hope he will be watching and waving his big union jack in London from somewhere else. I love you so much dad.
I want my daughter to see that I am a professional and have commitments, but that I'm there when the family needs me, and so is their father. In some cases, more so.
I'd been willing to kill for the people I loved for a very long time; now I had to start living for them.
Recently I reviewed the history of many missionaries and found a powerful correlation between exceptional missionaries and mothers who chose to remain home, often at great financial and personal sacrifice...They reflect honor to mothers who sacrificed to remain home for their children's benefit.
When you see the commitment my parents exhibited… it was not for fame or fortune.
I chose to devote the lion's share of my time to my personal growth and to my family. I reconnected with the part of me that I had left behind.
[That night] I was sitting by Jack Nicholson with my long list of thanks, and I said, 'I'm so nervous. I don't know what to say if I go up there.' He said, 'Don't get emotional, drop the names, and dedicate it to your mother.'
I'm a good solid family man. I don't say I'm a good solid man.
Even when I was out on tour I used to fly home on the weekends to be with my girl and be with my family to see my kids grow up and just be there for them. When they started going to school it was like that too whether it was homework or if I have to go up to the school I was there.
Love one person, take care of them until you die. You know, raise kids. Have a good life. Be a good friend. And try to be completely who you are. And figure out what you personally love. And like go after it with everything you've got no matter how much it takes.
I do this for her and my family. This is my way of paying my mom back by going after my goals relentlessly and trying to win that Oscar one day.
Sundays too my father got up early and put his clothes on in the blueblack cold, then with cracked hands that ached from labor in the weekday weather made banked fire blazes. No one ever thanked him.
I've worked so hard to keep this family together.
I wake up everyday and try to be the best husband, father and entertainer I can be. I'm no different offstage or talking to you or onstage than I am going to dinner with my family. It's all the same place and I apply the same values to all I do. It works for me.
This is all for Naieya (daughter), man. I will be a champion one day, I promised that to her.....And now that I have this opportunity I can't let her down.
I believe that there are certain attributes in a woman that give her some advantages over a man. Women are usually more honest, more sensitive to issues and bring a stronger sense of commitment and dedication to what they do. Maybe because they were mothers, and being a mother you have that special attention for the family, for the young, for children…
The things that are important to me - being a mother, a businesswoman, an activist - are all things that were borne out of great passion.
I try to just focus on the love and my family. That's what I'm focussed on every single day.
