Like many, I was deeply saddened by the death of Carrie Fisher, star of the Star Wars film franchise and author of books such as “Wishful Drinking” and “The Princess Diarist.” Though I only got to know about her this recent year, I, like many, have gotten to know of her as a beautiful, strong person who is beyond deserving of admiration.

Have Your Voice Heard: Become an Odyssey Creator

During the whole of Fisher’s life, but especially her last year of life, she’s proven to be nothing short of a positive figure for mental health, fighting sexism, and recovering drug addicts. She’s spoken out time and time again about her struggles with bipolar disorder, her position as a woman in a highly sexist field of work, and her addiction to drugs. She’s proven time and time again to be nothing less than the strong, independent, and kind person as the character she portrayed in the movies she was made famous for.

Far be it for me to speak on behalf of anyone, let alone a beloved celebrity, but I have a proposition for anyone reading this who is deeply saddened by the passing of Carrie Fisher. My proposition is this: be a little more you in 2017. Mourn her loss, but then move on and be a little more like her in her honor. Don’t let your sadness over losing her stop you from taking life by the balls and making it do your bidding just like Carrie did every day of her life. Stand tall and own all of your flaws, scars, and imperfections just like she did and refuse to apologize for it. Be a little more loud, a little more forceful, a little more fearless. And most of all, don that glitter you’ve always wanted to douse yourself in because she would have done it herself had she been given the chance.