self respect

May self respect be your armor—not too big, comically falling off your shoulders, or too small, like a tiny dinner plate strapped to your chest—but just right, perfectly sized for you. 

May love of your craft be your shield, a living part of you, and may you come home with your shield or on it, knowing that no matter what happens, you can’t let go of your love of the craft. After all, it’s the only way you can protect your comrades at arms.

May that fleeting, giddy moment of joy at your own work be your helmet, that last line of defense, an internal smile that comes at a low roar.

But more than anything, may you hold your orders seriously, as if you would be executed for disobeying them, in your hand the following suicide mission: artist, or dancer, or entrepreneur, or parent, the singular calling you were born to. 

Because self respect is your armor, and armor is meant for war. 

Thank you. Let’s have a great day.