No one should be ashamed to speak up. Shame makes it easy for neglect and abuse and bullying to stay huddled together in their dark corner. It’s time to throw the switch on this spotlight. If I can inspire other kids to speak their truth, then everything I’ve been through will have been worth it.

I wish emotional bruises healed like physical ones.

But you can't get to the place you most want to be without taking a chance.

Love is never guaranteed. Love is a risk we take because we hope it will make us happy.

Standing in the line at the food court, I try to be myself. But I forget how I usually stand when I'm myself.

It's about how you're like a lighthouse, always searching far into the distance. But the thing you're looking for is usually close to you and always has been. That's why you have to look within yourself to find answers instead of searching beyond.

I want deeper connections with the people around me. I need to reach out more. Because not everyone leaves. Sometimes if you reach out, the person you’re trying to reach will be right there waiting.