Writing has always been at the center of everything that I do.

I have journals from first grade where I told my teachers that I wanted to be a writer when I grew up. At the time I had no idea what that meant (hell, I am still figuring that part out). 

At the time I didn’t realize that I would use writing to write greeting cards, tell stories in magazines, launch an online publication in 2009, transition into marketing, create viral campaigns about Seinfeld and Saving Legs to Save Lives, and express myself on the side of everything that I do professionally. 

Last weekend I was cleaning out my basement and found this piece that I wrote during high school when I was 18 years old.

I remember writing this for my portfolio in Photography class. I had an early passion for photography and paired it with a piece of writing for each photo. An early mentor (my high school photo teacher) David Denick, commented on the back -Never Stop Dreaming! Thank you, Mr. D. your early guidance helped shape me. I didn’t think much of his comment at the time, but as I continue my fourth decade on this planet, it becomes clear that as we age we all face obstacles that try to smother out our dreams. 

Twenty-four years later, I was surprised at how so much of what I wrote at 18 still rings true for me personally. 

I am sharing my neverending quest to know myself to encourage others to do the same. Making efforts to know yourself and what you stand for will make your journey through life much easier to navigate.