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 healthy connection. Upholding them is hard, speaking them is often harder.
On 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 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 a natural part of your life force.
Community is always accessible, no matter how alone you may feel. You will find what you participate in.
On Achievement — You do not need to be good at anything. The point is elsewhere.
Forgiveness can only arrive after grieving. It is never an obligation; it can be an offering (to self, to the world).
Magic is real. The skeptics are lying. Inquire within.
Open Minds are worth holding onto. All the people I look up to have these.
Despair often mirrors delight. It will come around again. But it’s true, it is temporary; change is always possible.
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.
On Devotion — There are so many things to worship. Celebration is a form of prayer. Romance always rewards your attention.
On Surprises — Not liking surprises isn’t very helpful. Everything is a big surprise. The trick is learning how to befriend uncertainty.
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.
On Escape Plans — 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.