In my four-plus decades in this place, I’ve learned a great deal, especially, about myself.

One of the main reasons I’m here is so that you can learn from my years and years of experience and insight—the fast way.

Here’s a helpful little nugget: nobody knows all that you are. Nobody can offer you insights on what you already know deep down, but are kind of afraid to explore.

I strongly believe that we come knowing. We come believing in our capabilities. We come realizing our power. It’s the constant exposure to bullshit from society, our peers and others—who unknowingly project their shit onto us—that makes us insecure, lost and unwilling to take the risk to be our true selves for fear of rejection.

This is what you need to know now: rejection sucks, self-rejection sucks much worse.

Grant yourself permission to be. We need you.

Art by Emmy Smith.