Yolanda Hadid

I always like to remind myself that the most honorable people of all are not those who never make mistakes, but those who admit to them when they do and then move on and do their best to right the wrongs they have made.

I am proud to be an American and finally call this my home!

As a nurturer, I have always lived my life running for others, trying to make everyone happy, even if I often overlooked my own needs. I do it because it makes me happy and fulfilled.

I believe the core of most of us women is very simple. We want to feel appreciated, acknowledged, and something as simple as flowers with a little note or some love letters goes a long way.

I have tried the fancy, superficial life in my past, but I quickly learned that diamonds are not my best friend.

I have been driven by romance my whole life because I crave the intimacy that comes with that.

You don't really know what your children are made of until the mommy engine of the family shuts down, and they are forced to step up and become the care-takers.

Unfortunately but absolutely fair to all, the one thing money can't buy is health - and happiness.

I feel that when you take the responsibility to host something, it is your job to make sure that all your guests are taken care of equally.

Having been raised very disciplined, I had to iron for my mom every Friday afternoon after school.

The Lakers and the Clippers teams play against each other; friends shouldn't.

It's sad that people forget sometimes that there is a whole legitimate world of artists and actors out there that work their entire life, every day on perfecting their craft, but yet don't get any acknowledgement for their extraordinary commitment to their profession.

People probably perceive me as a bit boring because I am a little slow in the humor department, but it's just hard for me to get jokes when they're told in English. I am always the last one to get it.

I am open and respect everyone's religious and spiritual choices because at the end of the day, in my opinion, I hope that we are all praying to the same God.

The tabloids so easily throw people under the bus for a one-day sensation on the newsstand but sadly don't care about the long-term damage it does to those involved.

I'm not very diplomatic and wear my heart on my sleeve.

I am so grateful for my children who remind me every day what matters in life, and I feel fortunate to be their mommy and share their special love.

Lyme has brought me to my knees; this disease is a silent killer and does not have a face.

We are all blessed to be on the Bravo train because it's a fantastic platform for meeting new people, getting our messages out there, and connecting with fans around the world.

I have worked since I was 12 years old and started providing for my family in Holland by the age of 17 - and I still do today.

I am extremely proud of my heritage, and I would never use being Dutch as an excuse but rather an explanation of our cultural differences.

The only reason I ever shared my health journey with the world was because I felt it to be my duty to sufferers that are bed-ridden and dying because there has yet to be found a proper diagnostic test for Lyme Disease in this country.

Finding that financial independence away from a broken relationship is probably one of the most powerful places a woman can get to.

I'm convinced that probably everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. It's just one more reason to always try to be kind.

I was raised in Holland, where race and homosexuality are not a subject matter but rather a part of life.

A lot of great medicines and ancient therapies are blocked by the FDA, so that's why I choose to travel and recognize the value of diverse points of view in medicine.

I used to think I had and needed so many friends to feel loved. I know now that if you have one or two, you are good. More than that, you are great.

My life is raw, authentic, and focused on giving back to the journey God has given me; I want to leave this earth a better place with answers and education on Lyme and invisible chronic disease.

I understand now that my soul is my power, not perfection or my ego. I continue to teach this to my children, despite their glamorous careers. If we can maintain our core values, the exteriors take second place and become a gift, a source of gratitude.

While the majority of my career has relied on my aesthetics and how I look, I worked hard at keeping a spiritual connection with what was most important, what is inside me.

I choose to live in the present because when you suffer from chronic illness, you don't have a choice. It's day by day, one foot in front of the other. When there is a good day, you soak up that moment. Those 'good selfie' moments are captured because they're a gift.

I am righteous and not afraid to speak my truth. My delivery might not always be as diplomatic as I would like it to be, but my words are truthful - spoken from the heart and to the point.

Anyone that was raised with a Germanic language will agree that our tone is strong, especially once translated into English.

In my culture, whispering in the company of others is considered rude.

The life of any chronically ill person becomes extremely isolating.

I have faith that God often uses our deepest pain as the launching pad of our greatest calling.

Becoming chronically ill has definitely given me a greater understanding of human nature, and I've learned to accept people's lack of long-term compassion for others while they live their busy lives.

At 12 years old, I raised a premature baby cow on our farm because her mom had died. I bottle-fed it every day, let it suck on my chin, and babied it until it was stable.

I do have my insecurities, but I feel good in my skin, and my heart is full of love.

No matter how old we are, there is nothing better then getting the approval from our parents and the sense that they are proud of our accomplishments in life.

Life doesn't always go according to plan, and we don't always act in a way that represents who we are. What matters is that these moments become teaching moments.

I never had the college experience, so I have raised my girls to be more work-oriented and motivated to be financially independent.

I love each of my kids in unique ways and try to meet their different needs so they can thrive and be their personal best.

I have always been fascinated with romance and the fact that it is so effortless when we first fall in love but how it then becomes a conscious effort to stay creative and connected. Thats why I always say, 'Get wise: keep your romance alive.'

Lyme disease has become a fast epidemic worldwide. I am determined to help find a cure and figure out a way to share knowledge with the millions of people struggling with this debilitating disease.

I have never in my life let a man disrespect me, verbally or physically, and that will never change. I feel very strongly about this because it's something my mother instilled in me and that I have instilled in my daughters.

Even though I struggle with severe diminished brain function, I take 100 percent responsibility for every word that comes out of my mouth and gladly admit to my mistakes.

I can sleep fine at night knowing that even though my honesty might not translate very diplomatically, the words I speak have good intent, and I live my life with great integrity.

Nobody likes to be judged, including me, but I am the first to say that I am far from perfect.

Being acknowledged and appreciated by your child and stepchild is the greatest gift for all the hard work we put in as parents.