January 27, 2025 - Listen to and Believe the Truth

If you are lonely, marginalized, bullied, experiencing physical or mental challenges, or are part of the queer community, you likely hear negative things directed your way. First of all, I am SO sorry this happens to you. You do NOT deserve to be treated badly for any reason. I want to share just a few words to hopefully encourage you today -

• Please choose to listen to the truth - you are an amazing person and have so much to offer. Our world needs you! It can be too easy to listen to the negative voices around you, but please choose instead to listen to the truth.
• Look for people who build you up and help you hear and see the truth. I hope you have family and friends in your life who do this for you, if you do not, please find some who do. I know this may be difficult, but it is SO important. Please do not stop looking until you find these people.
• Look for resources which will help you discover the things which make you the unique and amazing person you are - ask a trusted and safe teacher or staff person at your school, your doctor, see if there is a Boys & Girls Club in your area (look at bgca (dot) org to see if there are any near you) to find people who will help you find resources to help you become strong.

Over the coming week I will share with you ideas to help you become strong and confident in the amazing person you are, so you are able to listen to and believe the truth. So for now, I want to send you my virtual "hug" for today - You matter. You deserve to be loved and are loved - I love you! You make our world a better place - we need you in this world. I hope you have people around you who tell you these things, but if not, please let me be someone who does. Yes, I said this yesterday, but these words are true and will always be so. You will find the video at this link.