When I was 17, I was on the basketball team, albeit as a substitute rather than a starter. In a larger high school, I wouldn’t even have made the team. My circle of friends consisted mostly of “academic” kids like myself, yet I appreciated occasional invitations to the “cool kids” parties because of my team affiliation.
As we geared up for a tournament in another city, I overheard my teammates discussing room assignments. Walking up behind Renee, our star player, I caught her saying emphatically to the others, “Anyone but Melissa.”
I just stood there, completely shocked. I was frozen. Hurt and embarrassed, I struggled to compose myself as the girls facing me knew what Renee didn’t yet— that I had heard every word. I retreated into myself, unsure how to react. I’m sharing this story because it’s a key part of the tapestry of experiences that have shaped who I am, what I stand for, and the changes I aspire to bring to the world.
This wasn’t the first or last time I felt rejected, and I’m certainly over that specific experience. But it remains part of my story, shaping my values and aspirations for change. I believe there are some fundamental human truths that all humans share: we all want to be loved; we all want safe environments for our loved ones; we all want clean water and abundant food; we all want to have meaning and purpose in our lives; and we all want to be accepted and to belong. These convictions drive my passion to heal the earth and humanity, to advocate for social change, and to empower individuals to become agents of positive transformation.
What do you want to change in the world or in your world?
