“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.” -Bernard M. Baruch

My mom used to say this to me when I was young, and it always seemed to go in one ear and out the other. It seemed like people were always telling me to “be myself” and not to worry about what other people thought of me. As a kid, though, that’s easier said than done. We all know how mean kids can be, constantly picking on others for every little thing. At the time, it seemed impossible for me to just not care about what other people thought of me. Now, though, I realize how powerful the quote really is—and how wrong I was.

It doesn’t matter what other people think of you.

Some people will judge you negatively for what you do or don’t do, but those aren’t the kinds of people you want in your life. The people you want to surround yourself with are the ones who raise you up, rather than put you down. They encourage, rather than discourage. They like you for who you are, not who you pretend to be.

Saying what you feel is equally as important as being who you are. Stand up for what you believe in, and be confident in doing it. Don’t let others judge you for those beliefs. You are entitled to your own thoughts and opinions, and you can (and should) fight for what you believe is right.

If you haven’t reached a point where you embrace who you are and say how you feel, remember that it’s never too late. I can only hope that you will get there—once you do, your confidence, your optimism and your happiness will soar.