I hope you have the courage to keep loving deeply in

a world that sometimes fails to do so. In a generation

that orders up attention like they order up a meal, in
a generation that has started to love with one foot out
the door, I hope you have the courage to believe that
genuine connection still exists. And I hope you have
the courage to stand up for that, to open yourself to
it when you start to feel it bloom within the heart of
you. I hope you have the courage to appreciate it for
all that it is, to not approach it wearing a mask, to not
try to desensitize yourself to it or play it cool. Please,
I hope you have the courage to crash your heart into
the people life gifts you. I hope you have the cour-
age to believe that goodness still exists, that there are
those who have the capacity to love the way you do,
that there are those who will see you and grow you
and teach you more about the world. I hope you have
the courage to fight for connection. I hope you have
the courage to go deeper. To never exist on the surface
of your life, even if it’s easier or more convenient. At
the end of the day you should leave this world with a
heart that is worn-out and soft all over. A heart that
is bruised from loving, and feeling, and caring in the
best way possible. At the end of the day, you should be
proud of your inability to be anything but open to the
world. You should be proud of who you are.

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