That I should have been born a boy.

That I was not worth keeping.

That I deserved to be abused.

That I would never graduate high school.

That I would never go to college.

That I would never publish anything.

That I’d never meet the president.

That I would never make it to New York.

That I was born “bad”.

That no one wanted me.

That I was ugly.

That I was too sensitive.

That I was too old-fashioned.

That I was too timid.

That I was too assertive.

That I was weird.

That I was awkward.

That I was too short.

That I had nothing interesting to say.

That I was a bad writer.

That I would never write anything meaningful.

That I was too happy.

That I deserved to be cheated on.

That I was too young.

That I was too old.

That I was too chubby.

That I was too thin.

That I was not “sexy”.

That I needed to be more conservative.

That I was too silly.

That I took myself too seriously.

That I made no sense.

That I was born with a curse.

That I was not meant to be born at all.

And for a while, I believed them.

Silly me.

People say all kinds of things, but it doesn’t make them true.

You’re worth so much to this world (and to me).

Know that you are meant to be here.

There is a place here for you.

You are irreplacable.

You are beautiful.

Close your ears to liars.

Open your heart.

Keep moving down your path.