As we celebrate International Women’s Day, nothing came to mind more than the beautiful writings of Desiree Adaway.

I choose to risk my significance; to live so that which comes to me as seed goes to the next as blossom and that which comes to me as blossom, goes on as fruit. —Dawna Markova

Sometimes we make mistakes and when we do we need to sincerely say we are sorry to those we have injured. But too many times we apologize for being fully human- for bathing in the sunlight.

Do not apologize

Do not apologize for being passionate.  Do not apologize for your creativity, your voice, your big idea or your rich conversations.  For knocking on every door – real or virtual along your way.  For talking to anyone willing to listen.  For investing in yourself so you can do good, better. Do not apologize for telling your stories in your language, for trying something new, for repairing and healing the world.

Do not apologize

Do not apologize for being a trailblazer, a practical visionary a sage, and a radical. For being an explorer, an adventurer, and a journeyman.  For seeing potential and beauty in every place, in every community.  Do not apologize for valuing people over things, experiences over stuff, and knowledge over materialism.

Do not apologize

Not today, not tomorrow, not ever, for loving and caring about children. Do not apologize for caring about education or clean water in poor communities.  For feeding the hungry or sheltering the homeless.  Do not apologize for supporting and nurturing people who look like you.  Do not apologize for supporting and nurturing people who do not look like you.  Do not apologize for loving each other.

For loving yourself

Do not apologize because you love what you do.  Because you don’t love what you do.  Because systems need to be changed and you have taken on that task.  Do not apologize because you believe that all humans deserve (in the words of Audrey Hepburn) to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Do not apologize for never throwing out anyone. Do not apologize for being unreasonable.

Do not apologize because you tried something that didn’t go exactly the way you thought – you learned much.  Do not apologize for letting your light shine – you showed others how to shine.  Not for saying no.  Not for saying yes.  Do not apologize for refusing to dumb it down.  Do not apologize for raising the bar.

For changing the game

Do not apologize for being purpose-driven.  Do not apologize for your vision.  Do not apologize for your leadership. Do not apologize for organizing.  Do not apologize for being a catalyst.  Do not apologize for creating a movement.

Do not apologize for being a revolutionary, a radical, a creative, a teacher. For being guided by your values. Do not apologize because you are not angry or fearful. For trusting.

Do not apologize for your dreams

Do not apologize for participating.  For creating a safe place. For being vulnerable.  Do not apologize for opening your heart and sharing your soul.

Not for your laughter. Not for your tears.

Do not apologize for your power. Do not apologize for your strength.  Do not apologize for being empowered.  Do not apologize for empowering others.

Do not apologize

Not ever…

Live a life that reflects your spirit- where decisions are made responsibly without intentionally hurting others. Embrace it all. Receive it all. Accept it all. Stand firm in what you know to be true.  Give less power to what others think. Ignore self-criticism. Do not live in fear of catching fire. Do not minimize your existence.

Bathe in the sunlight. It is where you belong.

 – Desiree Adaway.

https://adawaygroup.com/do-not-apologize/