“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

-Mark Twain

First and foremost, Happy 2021! I want to start off by encouraging you to stick with your goals this year. Stay focused on the positive in your life and what matters to you. Plant your energy by treating people with kindness and compassion.

This quote makes me think about a person who used to be in my life while I was in a particularprison program. This person, on numerous occasions, made comments to me that made me feel like I was wrong and arrogant to be proud of myself for allthe things I’d accomplished throughout my incarceration. Being confident in who I am was something I had to work really hard towards for many years, so it made me feel like crap when she tried to make me think I was being too confident.

I had to remind myself that I can’t control other people’s opinions and comments. I can only control how I process and react to them. Her comments said more about her than they did about me. Don’t allow anyone to make you feel small. Be proud of who you are and the work you’re doing to keep growing. Be proud of your ambitions. Embrace those who encourage you and eradicate from your life those who don’t. You want to surround yourself with people who want to lift you up. Don’t let someone’s comments make you feel bad about being confident in yourself. I would just suggest that along with that confidence, you bring to the table a sense of service and duty to uplift others. We can all be great together.