Colby,
My first memories as a child were of the hostages in Beirut. President Carter had been working for their release for some time. The political powers at the time were not a fan of President Carter; there were back dealings that arranged it so that they were not released until Ronald Reagan took office. I did not understand at the time, I just remember thinking how afraid they must be and as I watched the TV, I was too. Why did they not like this soft-spoken man? Why would they allow those people to remain hostage longer just to slight another man’s effort?
It wasn’t for many years that I understood this man was disliked because his way of thinking, his way of being was ahead of his time. His brilliant peaceful humanitarian ways were demonized by people who desired power over other’s lives.
I believe you are so very similar to this amazing mind and man–this peanut farmer with a passion for jelly beans. Be bold, Colby. Be brave. Others will question, doubt, and try to minimize you. Under no conditions can you allow this, not from them and especially not from yourself.
Go do amazing things, change and evolve your mind and others’. Know you are, for the first time, where you belong, Colby. Let yourself live in the moment and the future…
You are blessed! Be thankful, be bold, and let yourself love! That is all it takes.
Love,
Mom