~~Know who you are and know it's enough.~~ Unknown
I'd like to think that we can change the world. I'd like to think that every person matters. I'd like to think that we all want what's best for each of us, not just some.
But none of that is true, of course. How I see the world and how I feel about human life and what I want to leave the world is all.....just me being me. I can't change opinions. I can't change the actions of others. I can't be anything but who I am.
And who I am is enough for me. I will always be passionate about being kind and helping others and being gentle with ourselves as well as each other.
But this is about you, not me. And you can look at us all here and wish you had what we have, whether it's the amount of time we quit smoking or if it's Colleen's kindness or Giulia's wisdom or Marilyn's warmth. You can hope for more or want better or even shoot for the stars.....but
don't forget about who you really are. That is enough. Because who you are is bigger, brighter, braver than you have ever thought possible. Who you are is so unbelievably enough that you are one day going to take your own breath away. You are vital to the world or you wouldn't be here. You matter to the world or we wouldn't be here for you. You are a part of the world, not just an island or a pebble on a big beach.
You. Are. Enough.
Please don't ever wish to be anything but that.
You may smoke, but you aren't 'just' a smoker. You are amazingly human and brilliantly unique and stunningly complex. And I can't wait to meet you. That you who is trying to fight your way through the smoke. That you who is has been hidden underneath the nicotine. That you whom you've forgotten about over the years. The talented you. The curious you. The remarkable you.
Please don't ever think you are less than. Or that you don't matter. Or that you don't count. Here on ex or anywhere in the world. Because you do. Because this world would be less without you. Because you bring with you something that no one else on earth has. Your voice. Your imagination. Your vision. We need you.
But you need you first. So we'll wait. We'll encourage and we'll support as you find yourself. So, what are you waiting for? Find yourself. The world is waiting for you.
Sheri
