Your True North

I am sure you have been mistreated at some point in your life. This could have happened at work, in your family, among your friends, or in any other setting that comes to mind. By "mistreatment," I mean being dismissed or belittled with harsh words that diminish your value and potential. Words that portray you as stupid or worthless, accusations that you lack skills, or predictions that your future is bleak. Such corrosive language is all too common, and it has led many people to harm themselves or, tragically, to leave this world.

People call this suicide, but it's actually a crime committed by those with reckless tongues who judge and mistreat their fellows. I am grateful and relieved that you are still here, a participant in the breathtaking tapestry of this world. We are sometimes judged and mistreated not because of who we are or what we have done, but simply because we are in the wrong place.

Virgil Abloh, a brilliant soul who sadly no longer walks among us, once said that putting a can in a garage is considered garbage, but putting that same can in a museum is considered art. Our perception of ourselves and others is greatly influenced by the environment in which we live. Our surroundings often shape our lives.

If you find yourself in an environment where you have to change who you are to be accepted or valued, you are simply in the wrong place. You deserve to be somewhere where your authentic self is valued. Each of us is gifted, with our own set of talents and abilities. But how can we discover these qualities if we continue to live in a place where we are not accepted and cannot be who we truly are?

What is the point of living if we aren't true to ourselves? What value does existence have if we live our lives based on the opinions of others? Such a life isn't living; it's just existing, an endurance test that eventually leads to a breaking point. Is that what you want for yourself? I sincerely hope not. I want you to be appreciated and cherished for who you are. Therefore, I implore you:

Choose your environment with care and intention. And, before you make that decision, understand and embrace your true self. Become, and love, the unique soul that you are.🌹