You Are Worthy

Photo by Brett Sayles

In America right now, there is a lot of uncertainty for many people. Plenty of people must be confused about what's happening, and why, or maybe even why some people think it's a big deal. Many people are afraid, many are angry.

It's easy to feel betrayed and hurt by our fellow Americans, especially when it seems like we must think so differently. For years we've been told that what we should be are individuals without support groups. Without any help. We've been convinced that we don't need communities. It's not important to know our neighbors. We only need to be around people who think just like us.

While that is certainly comfortable, none of us learn and grow by being around the same thing all the time. We can't help educate each other if we aren't even willing to listen. Real growth happens when we strive to understand each other, and then out of love, share our own thought processes.

Change often doesn't happen overnight. People have been bombarded their whole lives with certain "facts", stereotypes, and hatred. When you're steeped in it, sometimes you don't even know how to recognize hate. It can take lots of patient conversations, some real-life experiences, and serious contemplation to undo years of incorrect information.

Right now, you all need to know that you matter. I'm not going to point fingers, yell, or blame people. Real-life consequences are some of the harshest lessons to receive, and I think we have plenty of those right now.

Instead, I want you to know that you are worthy. You are a human. You are full of potential, you are glorious! You are full of the power to turn hate into love, to choose your destiny, to persevere. No one can rob you of your worth, just like no one can "give" you your worth. You had it from the moment you were born.

Many of you might not be hearing that right now, or worse, might be hearing the opposite message. Those people do not have the authority to remove your worth. It cannot be taken away. No one else in the world is just like you. The way you think, act, talk, and perceive the world, has been shaped by the total of your personal experiences.

You are unique, and yes, everyone else is too. You are literally made of stardust. How cool is that?! You've technically already touched the stars! You don't need others to give you worth. Character doesn't come from that. It doesn't come from views or likes, although those can sure feel nice.

Be who you want to be. You are a collection of wonderous things, a bundle of likes and dislikes. From the music you enjoy to the colors you love, you don't need anyone's permission to like what you like, or to dislike certain things. No on else on this Earth knows how to be you. You're already the expert. You are worthy of life, love, liberty, happiness, and a future. <3