I see life everywhere I look. I get the energy off the water. Hawaii really, when I am there, it feels like how we are supposed to live and how it's supposed to be: slower, just appreciating our surroundings. I love the people there and the aloha, the history. They're really rooted in something.

Natalie Maines

Just so you know, we're on the good side with y'all. We do not want this war, this violence. And we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas.

Natalie Maines

texas president war

The entire country may disagree with me, but I don't understand the necessity for patriotism. Why do you have to be a patriot? About what? This land is our land? Why? You can like where you live and like your life, but as for loving the whole country? I don't see why people care about patriotism.

Natalie Maines

land country people

We only have one rule and that is there are no rules, so stand up and sing as much as you want to.

Natalie Maines

want

Politicians against gay marriage now, are the future villains of our American History books.

Natalie Maines

villain gay book

I feel the president is ignoring the opinion of many in the U.S. and alienating the rest of the world. My comments were made in frustration, and one of the privileges of being an American is you are free to voice your own point of view.

Natalie Maines

frustration voice views

This sounds cheesy but when I would get in discussions with people about religion or spirituality, a lot of people would say, "I believe God is nature, there's God in that tree" - and I would think, What the hell are they on about? But it was about four or five years ago in Hawaii where that all made sense to me and I got it all, and I felt God was in the trees and in the grass and the flowers, and I completely understood.

Natalie Maines

flower believe thinking

Usually right when I'm feeling it, right when it's happening, I always find I need to be in some sort of survival mode or mature mom mode, so it always seems to come later that I have the breakdown.

Natalie Maines

survival-mode mom feelings

I'm not the greatest communicator. I kind of internalize a lot.

Natalie Maines

communicators kind

If something or someone's really bugging you, just sit on it. Just sit on it.

Natalie Maines

bugging-you ifs

I really kind of set the bar really low, so I don't get disappointed.

Natalie Maines

bars kind lows

I just got back from Hawaii on Saturday, and it's so depressing how quickly all the stresses and the stressful energy of L.A. comes bombarding back. Everyone's in a rush, you're annoying everyone, get out of their way, everyone's most important than you are, has got somewhere more important to be - very draining town. But I still love it in many ways. I wouldn't leave California. I think it's a fantastic state, if you can't be in Hawaii all the time.

Natalie Maines

depressing stress thinking

I see life everywhere I look. I get the energy off the water.

Natalie Maines

energy water looks

I would feel like my life was a success if my children grow into well-adjusted, happy, functioning members of society. Capable and happy and normal.

Natalie Maines

members normal children

It almost takes people by surprise when I'm not a big talker. Because I'm known as being sort of a loud mouth. I have a lot to say. But I try to be more thoughtful with my comments or reactions, unless it's something witty or hysterical that I just can't keep myself from blurting or tweeting!

Natalie Maines

thoughtful witty people

Even though it's still the United States, I think on many levels they feel separate, especially the true Hawaiians - who are not necessarily thrilled to be a part of the United States. But I just love the whole spirit.

Natalie Maines

united-states levels thinking

I'm definitely always drawn to the injustice of people who have been imprisoned for things they didn't do. But also lots about abortion and gay marriage. Civil issues are usually what I am drawn to.

Natalie Maines

issues gay people

I hike every day with my dog, after the kids are off to school. I tend to get wrapped up in all the things that need to be done during the day, so I really am strict about setting that time aside for myself and not scheduling anything before eleven, so I can get my hike in.

Natalie Maines

dog kids school

I'm not the greatest communicator. I kind of internalize a lot. See, I just said I need to be quiet, but that's not the kind of communication I mean. I mean expressing myself or even standing up for myself. I can sometimes be very passive.

Natalie Maines

communication mean needs

I did some years of therapy and self-realization, and I just move and think at a slower pace - doesn't make me sound very smart! But really not reacting and doing more listening than talking, and letting people say what they need to say, and then maybe not saying anything at all.

Natalie Maines

smart moving thinking

We want to be true to ourselves, and honest to the fans and to ourselves.

Natalie Maines

honest fans want