I am becoming more myself with every choice I make.

This statement rings true now more than ever. Yesterday, by making the simple choice to show up and stand alongside my community against evil, I uncovered a part of myself I always believed existed but had been too afraid to fully embrace. For most of my life, I’ve been a quiet activist. And in the moments I did speak out, I was often overwhelmed by anxiety, unable to offer my fullest self.

Being a quiet activist isn’t a bad thing, far from it. If you’re doing something, anything, for the greater good, you’re showing up. Whether it’s a conversation, a call to your representative, or a single social media post, it counts. You’re helping.

But for me, there’s something deeper. A part of my soul has always longed to do more. To truly show up. And until yesterday, fear and anxiety always got in the way. But as I walked toward that powerful crowd of people, I let go. I allowed myself to feel the energy, to feel what was connecting all of us. I didn’t retreat, I rose.

And it goes beyond yesterday. When I think about the changes I’ve been making lately, mentally, physically, and emotionally, I feel more like me than I ever have. A clearer mind and a healthier body have opened the door to something new. This journey really began when we first landed in Portugal. Stepping out of the world I’d always known shifted something in me. I’ll always be grateful for that experience. And I can’t wait to do it again, this time in an even stronger space within myself.

Today I’m grateful for my community. For every person who showed up yesterday, and every person who continues to show up in their own way, every day. It’s we the people who move the needle when we lead with truth, compassion, and courage.