Lately, a lot of people tell me they want to speak up – but don’t,
because they think they have nothing to say.

You think you have nothing to say.
That it’s all been said. That you’re not special.
Fine. Forget being special.

Just look at who you were a year ago. Or five.
Weren’t there moments so dark you could barely breathe –
and somehow, you figured out how to avoid going back there?
How to crawl out, even if just a little?

Didn’t you learn something the hard way?

Good. Say that.

Don’t dress it up. Don’t try to sound wise. Just say the thing you wish someone had told you when everything felt like concrete.

Because someone out there is exactly where you were.
And while you’re busy wondering if it’s original enough, they’re drowning.

Say the thing. Not to go viral.
To throw a rope.