I’ve been wanting to tell you that I KNOW it all makes you uncomfortable – the thought of playing a bigger game for your life, of doing more things on your terms and not everyone else’s. I know it’s hard and scary and daunting.

I’ve been wanting to tell you that it’s daunting because you’ve spent most of your life taking care of everyone else – doing what they need you to, letting them be first. Because that’s how you were raised: to be quiet, and small and not make a fuss.

And I’ve been wanting to tell you that you can play by a different set of rules, for a different game: that it’s okay to make a fuss and raise your voice and cause heads to turn.

It’s okay to stand up for something you believe in – for yourself – even though other people may not like it. Even though it may make everyone who is used to you being quiet and small uncomfortable. Even though you aren’t sure that the world is ready for you.

I’ve been wanting to tell you that the world IS ready for you, that the people who need you have been waiting a lifetime and don’t even know it yet. And that you have power – real power – to serve and inspire and educate.

That your version of making a fuss isn’t about self-indulgent nonsense, it isn’t vanity or ego, it’s about you making your mark on this world. It’s about you having something to say that is so worth saying you can’t keep it in any longer.

It is about you realizing that you are a big fucking deal and starting to finally – finally! – own it.

Because you owe it to yourself, and to the people around you. You owe it to the next generation of this world to show them what happens when you stand up on your shaky legs and say that thing out loud that has the power to turn heads and shake up hearts and get people moving.

I’ve been wanting to tell you that I know it’s uncomfortable to think about and I know that you think you’d rather stay safe and quiet and small.

But I know that you’re still reading this, with a pounding heart, and thinking Could I? Maybe? Is she writing this to me?

And I’ve been wanting to tell you that Yes, I am writing this to you. Because I know you’re ready. I know you feel it too. And I know that your time is now.

So let’s do this, Love, shaky hands and all.

It will all be fine, I promise.

**graphic by Erin Cassidy for Tiffany Han Coaching