stand tall

I want you to lean close and listen very, very carefully to me. Do not ever, ever, ever diminish yourself to: fit in, be accepted, not intimidate others, sidestep nasty words because you’re great.

There may be times when you think unkind words about yourself are favorable, but trust me, you are your biggest advocate. It doesn’t really matter if you make others feel better, if, when you are alone with yourself your heart hurts for the unkind things you said about yourself.

I don’t want you to tell people – oh, I’m not that great  – because you want them to not feel threatened by you. If they are the type to be jealous, they are not for you anyways. I never want you to say – oh, I’m not that {smart, attractive, talented, stylish, successful, wonderful} – because you want people to like you. If they can’t see with their own two eyes how wonderful you are and feel motivated to rise themselves because of you, then they are not for you. You are never to pick on – your weight, your clothes, your current economic status, your dreams, your hopes, your idiosyncracies either. If people feel better because you lessen yourself, I want you to run as far as you can from them. The people you deserve are in love with you, your dreams, your quirks, and everything that makes you, you. Let them go pick on someone else.

I want you to do this, because it is good for you. Because I believe in you. And the giants who are worth your vision, your heart, your imagination, your courage, your funny imperfectly perfect self, will rise to meet you and keep you company on your Life Adventure.

Xo,

TB