"For some people you will be too strong, even though you are doing exactly what you are meant to do. You are just like the sun."

I have always referred to myself as a hurricane. Full of power and wind and capable of knocking down any challenge that may stand in my way. Passion coursing through my veins as I throw myself into another endeavor, never stopping once to look back.

I think my intensity might have been a major factor in why I struggled and continue to struggle to fit in with a lot of my peers. Many people wanted me to cut it back a few notches, explaining how I am "overwhelming" and that "light breezes are a little more pleasant" than my strong winds.

And to an extent, they are very right. Sometimes I really should cut my excitement down a few notches if it's not appropriate for whatever setting I am currently in, but I don't want to cut away who I am in the process.

A wise person once warned me to never lose sight of who I was for someone I love. That true friends or lovers will never once ask you to change who you are but will embrace your worst qualities. Yes, even the ones you profusely attempt to apologize for the morning after a long night of drinking.

As I have grown older, I have come to understand that no matter what I say and do, even if I say NOTHING at all, some people just won't like me. Because people will always find something to scrutinize over. But we cannot spend our lives trying to appease the haters if it requires us to change who we truly are.

And in our defense, a lot of times we do this innocently. We want that really cool person to like us. We want a larger group of people to go out with. We want to feel as if we belong to something bigger than ourselves because that must mean that we are bigger than what we originally thought.

But to tell you the truth? We are left feeling emptier than before we even started. Because while you are standing in a large group of people, cracking jokes and talking about sweet nothings, you can't help but notice how alone you feel.

As if it is our fault that we do not belong in that relationship. As if we are the problem in our friend group. As if we are flawed, doomed to be alone and unsure of who we truly are...

But you are the exact opposite, my friend.

You are a gifted individual with an extraordinary mind, but you cannot continue to allow your wants of fitting in eclipse what you need.

They are not the sun, you are.

We can continue to live a life feeling unloved, unwanted and uninvited to every opportunity that life throws our way. Or, we can live a life created exactly for us.

A life that is surrounded by fewer friends that provide a greater support system. A life where we show up, over and over again despite the fear of rejection. Because someone is going to love every single flaw that we contain.

Because someone will see the scars that riddle our bodies and minds and see them as our best qualities. The qualities that made us who we are and for that they are thankful.

I am passionate. I am loud. I am witty, a little abrasive and instinctually caring. I speak as if I am being quoted and command attention in any room that I walk into. But if I spend my life trying to silence the storm that swirls inside of me, I will only destroy myself.

So blow down houses with your hurricane force winds, cast light breezes on the days you are calmer, and never lose sight of who you are or who you want to be.

Because at the end of the day, the only person you will always go home to is yourself. And you are far too vibrant to allow another to dull the energy radiating out of you because they will never be the sun. But you will be.