| Dear John. I talk about living authentically often. The thing about living authentically is that it's a lot easier for some than it is for others. For LGBTQ+ people living in less accepting spaces and places, it can be hard and even dangerous to live in a way that feels true to who they are. For some, when they hear the words “live authentically,” all they’re hearing is “prepare to be ridiculed and even rejected for being yourself". It can feel like the only options are to live and be rejected, or exist in a way that doesn't ring true. And no matter how great the rewards may seem, they often don’t outweigh the impending rejection. Because it's easier to protect ourselves from rejection than it is to embrace uncertainty. But friends, I’ve tested it. And so have many of you. The ultimate goal of embracing our authentic self is the hope that our personal freedom will grow, our joy feeling unlimited and that our love becomes expansive. I can't promise that it will be easy but when you get there it will all be worth it. I know that it’s challenging to be real in a world that wants us to conform. A world that can be hostile to what it perceives as different. But it’s worth it and I want you to give yourself permission to start. Start small, change can be achieved in tiny increments. You don’t have to get there today, but you can start right now. Seek joy, love and things that affirm your best, truest self. AND...above all...you not only get to decide how to be authentic, but also how to come out...if you want! You shouldn't be pressured to be someone you're not. But it's just as important that you're not pressured to come out before you're ready and feel safe enough to do so. I’m proud of you every day and you should be too. Happy Pride Month. To all my LGBTQ+ friends struggling to outwardly express their inward truth, living authentically can start with your self-love, self-affirmation and embracing your truth wholeheartedly. That is a huge part of authentic living! David P.S. Don’t forget to use the code PRIDE22 to get 3 for the price of 2 on all my prints. | 
