27 Lessons
::compassion:: does not ask for prerequisites. no one is disposable. everyone deserves humanity. there are no exceptions.
::healing:: is an ongoing process. you will make the same mistakes more than once. many times, even. notice where your patterns come from, and practice building new ones. shame cannot survive empathy.
::solitude:: is sacred. it is not something to hide or run from. it is worthy of protection.
::boundaries:: are deeply important. they create optimal containers for sustainable growth and connection. upholding them is hard, speaking them is often harder.
::self definition:: you are not defined by the worst thing you’ve ever done. you are not defined by other people’s expectations. you can decide who you are at any moment.
::intuition:: never lies. it is in service to you always. listen closely. build trust with yourself by acting upon it.
::spirituality:: is personal, and worthy of respect and dedication. belief is a choice, and it is one that has (unshockingly) called for extensive rational inquiry. no further explanation offered.
::honesty:: is incredibly difficult, especially if you learned self-censorship as a method of survival. stop: curating your personality. start: telling the truth.
::patience:: requires trust. there is no need to rush anything. the ultimate gift is divine timing.
::creativity:: is connected to purpose. all life is creative, look around. commit to creating whenever you can — it is your life force.
::community:: is always accessible. you will find what you actively participate in.
::achievement:: you do not need to be good at anything. the point is elsewhere.
::forgiveness:: can only arrive after grieving. it is not an obligation, it is an offering (to self, to the world)
::magic:: is real. the skeptics are lying.
::open minds:: are worth holding onto. the best people i know have these.
::despair:: often mirrors delight. it will come around again. but it’s true, it is temporary.
::learning:: new things is one of my central joys. experience is the best teacher, second only to nature.
::risk:: is a necessary part of the game. choose dare more often.
::sensitivity:: is a strength, not a weakness. crying is a shortcut to completing the stress response cycle.
::devotion:: there are so many things to worship. celebration is a form of prayer. romance always rewards your attention.
::surprises:: not liking surprises makes no sense. everything is a big surprise.
::confidence:: does not require a spectator. it is about you and your ability to choose your own perception of self.
::disobedience:: is a necessary practice. not without a cause, but because the search for truth calls for it.
::escape plan:: it is helpful to remember that you can always start over. create a new identity. enjoy this physical vessel while you have it. fill it with new dreams.
::time:: is big and small. it is never too late or too early. the portals are sitting next to you, with open invitations.
::resilience:: is why you are still here.
::life:: continues to be worth living. despite it all.