“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”

Learn to say, "So what, that's just me"...and mean it.

I never liked being the only kid in my neighborhood who went to Catholic schools...When I went away to college, many people questioned why I moved so far away... At work, I sometimes feel uncomfortable wearing jeans on casual Fridays.

Is it possible to be so self-confident, yet so self-conscious at the same time? Maybe...

But I'm looking forward to the day when I can stand in the pouring rain...get my hair wet...and like it!

I'm going to laugh out LOUD, in public, and not care at all who stares at me. I'll be comfortable saying what's on my mind without re-running my words through my head. And after I say it, I won't think twice about what I've said. I'm not going to wonder if others think I'm smart enough...because I will know I am. And I will ignore those who say I think I'm better than them...because I don't.

I will be o.k. with just being me, and encourage others to do the same. I will say, "So what I ordered dessert." "So what I'm taking time off to raise my children." "So what I'm leaving corporate to go into non-profit."

And when I'm old and gray... and everything begins to sag, I'll smile and say, "So what, that's just me!"

— Erica Hunt