Lately I`ve been going to all these high schools talking to the students, answering their questions, listening to what they have to say. It has been an incredible journey to be around them and try to give them what my mother gave me.

I have been training since 8th grade, but it has to do with listening, more than practice.

There`s a high school in Camden, New Jersey, I call the Jill Scott School. It`s the Camden Creative Arts High School. Those teachers and kids are so passionate about what they do, and 98 percent of the senior class went on to college.

The artists who stand out to me have a passion for what they do. There are a lot of people who can sing. It`s just like when you go to church and people are singing because it sounds good, not because it feels good. There`s a difference.

I think every individual has his or her own power, and it`s a matter of working, taking time and defining what that power is.

When I was growing up, my mother would take me to plays and museums, and we`d talk about life. Those times helped shape who I became.

To be a queen of a household is a powerful thing.

All I have to do is be me on stage. But acting, I have to be someone else, and walk how they would walk and blink how they would blink. I used to talk about it bad like, `aw man, that person made $10 million a movie?` But now I understand why they do. I get it now.

You have to be humble when you`re dealing with God.

When I first became famous, I didn`t know if I could go where I wanted to because I didn`t know how people were going to act. Some folks would scream and holler, and I didn`t know what to do with that.

I am a woman, I make mistakes. I make them often. God has given me a talent and that`s it.

I wanted to remind people I`m just flesh and blood. I falter. I am poor. I am blind. I am pitiable. I am naked. But I`m here and that is the blessing. The gift of life.

God is ever present. He`s in every breath, in every step. He`s here, always, always.

Power doesn`t have to be on such a big scale for powerful things to occur. Within your own home, you can be a powerful woman as a mother, influencing your children`s lives.

Married life is really good, it`s a beautiful thing, I enjoy spending my life with this man; I like him, I like his personality, I like the way he treats his friends. When I`m talking about love, I`m talking about him.

Mos Def is one of the most creative, intelligent human beings I`ve had the opportunity to work with. He is fun. The entire time, he would go in and out of different characters, just for the fun of it. Awesome energy.

I don`t rhyme right now, but I may ten years from now.