I’ve felt this way for such a long time that reading your words felt like being truly seen for the first time in years.
You’re absolutely right! The pressure to become something grand distances us from the simple, essential human needs we crave: connection, purpose, security, and belonging. It robs us of the joy of doing the work we love, replacing it with the constant push to hustle, achieve, and excel. We’re made to feel that unless we’re “exceptional,” we can’t justify our existence, the trust of our clients, or the business we’re building.
But shifting our perspective is key—recognizing that belonging, purpose, and security aren’t prizes we have to earn. They are our birthrights. We don’t need to do more, be more, or prove more to be worthy of the life we’re creating or the trust others place in us. We are worthy simply because we exist, because we care, and because we show up with love and integrity.
Of course, preparation matters. It’s important to study, grow, and refine our craft so we can offer the best of what we have. That work builds confidence, giving us the tools to show up, solve problems, and serve others well. But the idea that we need to be experts or thought leaders to be worthy of making a difference? That’s misguided. Expertise doesn’t create meaningful connection—care does. Care is what allows us to show up with authenticity, build trust, and truly impact the lives of those we serve.
And I’m so sorry for your loss. He helped build you up and gave you the wind beneath your wings… and now, it’s your time to fly.
Thank you for giving us- actually, It’s not appropriate I speak for everyone—thank you for sharing that wind with me, as it’s been the nitrous oxide I needed to propel me into the next level of my business and in turn, life.
I LOVE that! Our birthrights. YESSS!!! I love that reframe.
And, there's not some "pinnacle" that we have to get to before we have plenty of wisdom (my new word for "expert") to start making a difference + creating connections. There's actually very little we need to know to start... it's just not capitalist-friendly to dive in with all the BS credentials behind your name + under your bio.
I miss Leo soooo much; but I cherish the tough love pep talks he gave me. They meant so much that I can recite a lot of them to this day. I weep sometimes thinking about what that man did for me.
He was the manifestation of your guides speaking to you and uplifting you—giving you what you needed to push and encourage you forward. You’re not alone in this, Dre. Not materially, nor spiritually. 🫶
Don’t shove me in that lady box… you forget I have “dirty old man” shades to me, too! I love shoes… but I won’t buy a brand name handbag if my life depended on it - especially not a matching one. Eeeewww.
I just don’t have that obsession. But shoes are my guilty pleasure and I won’t apologize for those 7 boxes!
I am that guy next door, also in my 70's... reincarnation, is that even a thing? I don't know why I'm here eating hotdogs from a fucking cart. I don't even like hotdogs, unless they're in a blanket. Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe bored. Maybe I'm just as goofy as you. Welcome home. What's for dinner?
I thought YOU were bringing the damn charcuterie board?? Did you get a senior moment again? I'm guessing you can tell how the shit talking between us went... it was legendary!!
I brought 🍤. Loads of 🍤 🍤 🍤 🍤. And crackers too! I thought told you that all that cheese is not good for you! Mercury is far better, and not as filling. You really need to listen to me⁷! And I made the cocktail sauce too. All by my lonesome. Where the hell were you when I needed you? Feeding the friggen chickens?!
Yes. I can only imagine the back and forth banter between you and Leo. Such cheerful moments. Legendary is the perfect word. I don't even know you (or Leo for that matter), but your story tore at my heartstrings. I'm sincetely sorry for your loss. Wanna< know a secret? Probably something I shouldn't say. But as lonely as I have felt lately, there was a moment of jealousy that gripped my psyche. I wanted to give you the biggest hug and tell you that everything would be ok. Your writing was simply that powerful. Thank you.
That just gave me the best warm + fuzzies because that’s what writing should be about… but you never really know if it will be when the story hits the page. You can be my digital neighbor any fucking day, dude!!! 🫶 If not me, I hope a trash talking single mom moves in next door to YOU… because it would be LEGENDARY!
I’ve felt this way for such a long time that reading your words felt like being truly seen for the first time in years.
You’re absolutely right! The pressure to become something grand distances us from the simple, essential human needs we crave: connection, purpose, security, and belonging. It robs us of the joy of doing the work we love, replacing it with the constant push to hustle, achieve, and excel. We’re made to feel that unless we’re “exceptional,” we can’t justify our existence, the trust of our clients, or the business we’re building.
But shifting our perspective is key—recognizing that belonging, purpose, and security aren’t prizes we have to earn. They are our birthrights. We don’t need to do more, be more, or prove more to be worthy of the life we’re creating or the trust others place in us. We are worthy simply because we exist, because we care, and because we show up with love and integrity.
Of course, preparation matters. It’s important to study, grow, and refine our craft so we can offer the best of what we have. That work builds confidence, giving us the tools to show up, solve problems, and serve others well. But the idea that we need to be experts or thought leaders to be worthy of making a difference? That’s misguided. Expertise doesn’t create meaningful connection—care does. Care is what allows us to show up with authenticity, build trust, and truly impact the lives of those we serve.
And I’m so sorry for your loss. He helped build you up and gave you the wind beneath your wings… and now, it’s your time to fly.
Thank you for giving us- actually, It’s not appropriate I speak for everyone—thank you for sharing that wind with me, as it’s been the nitrous oxide I needed to propel me into the next level of my business and in turn, life.
I LOVE that! Our birthrights. YESSS!!! I love that reframe.
And, there's not some "pinnacle" that we have to get to before we have plenty of wisdom (my new word for "expert") to start making a difference + creating connections. There's actually very little we need to know to start... it's just not capitalist-friendly to dive in with all the BS credentials behind your name + under your bio.
I miss Leo soooo much; but I cherish the tough love pep talks he gave me. They meant so much that I can recite a lot of them to this day. I weep sometimes thinking about what that man did for me.
He was the manifestation of your guides speaking to you and uplifting you—giving you what you needed to push and encourage you forward. You’re not alone in this, Dre. Not materially, nor spiritually. 🫶
LOVE YOU, gurl!!!!! 🫶
It's settled then! I'll help you pack. 🤣
You better help me move too! 😆 I have a lot of shoes.
Women and their fucking shoes! And I betcha have a matching handbag for every pair! I'm sorry, Dre, that's just too much baggage.
Don’t shove me in that lady box… you forget I have “dirty old man” shades to me, too! I love shoes… but I won’t buy a brand name handbag if my life depended on it - especially not a matching one. Eeeewww.
I just don’t have that obsession. But shoes are my guilty pleasure and I won’t apologize for those 7 boxes!
No lady box; you haven't heard me call you ma'am, have you? 🙄
But I do have a question. Is that like 7 shoe boxes as in 7 pair, or is it 7 cartons of nothing but shoes?
When you ask like THAT it sounds like there’s a right answer. I’m pleading the fifth. 👢👠🥿👟👡
What. An inspirational. Story.
I am that guy next door, also in my 70's... reincarnation, is that even a thing? I don't know why I'm here eating hotdogs from a fucking cart. I don't even like hotdogs, unless they're in a blanket. Maybe I'm lonely. Maybe bored. Maybe I'm just as goofy as you. Welcome home. What's for dinner?
I thought YOU were bringing the damn charcuterie board?? Did you get a senior moment again? I'm guessing you can tell how the shit talking between us went... it was legendary!!
What do you mean?!
I brought 🍤. Loads of 🍤 🍤 🍤 🍤. And crackers too! I thought told you that all that cheese is not good for you! Mercury is far better, and not as filling. You really need to listen to me⁷! And I made the cocktail sauce too. All by my lonesome. Where the hell were you when I needed you? Feeding the friggen chickens?!
Yes. I can only imagine the back and forth banter between you and Leo. Such cheerful moments. Legendary is the perfect word. I don't even know you (or Leo for that matter), but your story tore at my heartstrings. I'm sincetely sorry for your loss. Wanna< know a secret? Probably something I shouldn't say. But as lonely as I have felt lately, there was a moment of jealousy that gripped my psyche. I wanted to give you the biggest hug and tell you that everything would be ok. Your writing was simply that powerful. Thank you.
That just gave me the best warm + fuzzies because that’s what writing should be about… but you never really know if it will be when the story hits the page. You can be my digital neighbor any fucking day, dude!!! 🫶 If not me, I hope a trash talking single mom moves in next door to YOU… because it would be LEGENDARY!