come as you are

Be like a proof, a testament of your ideals. Stand like a lone tree in the storm, and shed leaves, branches and bark, but stand firm. Be like a truth of who you are. Let others look at you and recognize in you what you speak and believe in. Be apparent, so much so that when you do great things, people will not think them great, but think that's just you being who you are. You are great because you did the things you believe in.

But to do so would be to know who you are. What do you believe in? When you are alone, and there is no one else to see, what do you do? Where would you go?

If you do not know, then know how to know all the things you have yet to know. Capture the unfamiliar. Label it. From there you can define the line that borders the definition of yourself. Discover the differences and similarities between you and all things. Acquaint yourself with all things. All excursions that merit knowing yourself better is worth any price; and because all unfamiliar journeys are revealing, they are always worth the trip.

And once back, and a little more wary of what makes you tick, and what passions drive the inner gears of your very heart, do not doubt. It's unlikely to understand everything about ourselves. But with time and experience, we learn to trust what we know is true, an instinct, and from their find wisdom.

That leads to courage. All the things you've learned so far will tell you one and only one thing: do it. Never tarry. And if you do, and recognize the melancholy and depression that visits as familiar, then understand that depression is anger turned inward. Sadness comes when there's no one else to blame but ourselves. So move. Correct, amend, or change your perspective. Just move.

And with enough mistakes, even without thinking too hard, you'll move in the right direction wherever that leads. Because it is only natural to be natural.