in spoken word that’s the thing you do if you like what the speaker is saying
if you like what the speaker is saying
if you like what the speaker is saying you snap by encouraging for the speaker
you snap by encouraging for the speaker
you snap by encouraging for the speaker so do it because I’m going to start with
so do it because I’m going to start with
so do it because I’m going to start with a piece only if you feel like though I
a piece only if you feel like though I
a piece only if you feel like though I don’t want your pity so um here we go
don’t want your pity so um here we go
don’t want your pity so um here we go we are the internet generation we are
we are the internet generation we are
we are the internet generation we are the ones with such carefully manipulated
the ones with such carefully manipulated
the ones with such carefully manipulated virtualized SATs sometimes we end up
virtualized SATs sometimes we end up
virtualized SATs sometimes we end up envying ourselves wishing we could live
envying ourselves wishing we could live
envying ourselves wishing we could live the lives were pretending to on social
the lives were pretending to on social
the lives were pretending to on social media we are the children of Instagram
media we are the children of Instagram
media we are the children of Instagram and snapchat we labor over our pictures
and snapchat we labor over our pictures
and snapchat we labor over our pictures for hours just so that people can know
for hours just so that people can know
for hours just so that people can know what a good time we’re having we take 50
what a good time we’re having we take 50
what a good time we’re having we take 50 selfies from angles we didn’t even know
selfies from angles we didn’t even know
selfies from angles we didn’t even know we had just that they can know that were
we had just that they can know that were
we had just that they can know that were effortlessly good-looking we made our
effortlessly good-looking we made our
effortlessly good-looking we made our homes on Facebook and Twitter posting
homes on Facebook and Twitter posting
homes on Facebook and Twitter posting every small achievement and every
every small achievement and every
every small achievement and every popular opinion on public platforms
popular opinion on public platforms
popular opinion on public platforms within 140 characters not because we
within 140 characters not because we
within 140 characters not because we care but because we know we have
care but because we know we have
care but because we know we have absorbed we have known we have mastered
absorbed we have known we have mastered
absorbed we have known we have mastered the art of retweets and shares and
the art of retweets and shares and
the art of retweets and shares and hashtags and likes a little red hearts
hashtags and likes a little red hearts
hashtags and likes a little red hearts with the pulse that is determined by
with the pulse that is determined by
with the pulse that is determined by DoubleTap welcome to the internet
DoubleTap welcome to the internet
DoubleTap welcome to the internet generation just a few basic instructions
generation just a few basic instructions
generation just a few basic instructions before we take off there are no exits to
before we take off there are no exits to
before we take off there are no exits to your left or right in case of an
your left or right in case of an
your left or right in case of an emergency we would recommend you update
emergency we would recommend you update
emergency we would recommend you update your facebook status and hope for the
your facebook status and hope for the
your facebook status and hope for the best there is no need to fasten your
best there is no need to fasten your
best there is no need to fasten your seat belts as you will be glued to your
seat belts as you will be glued to your
seat belts as you will be glued to your screen scrolling through tumblr for the
screen scrolling through tumblr for the
screen scrolling through tumblr for the next couple of years moving as little as
next couple of years moving as little as
next couple of years moving as little as you possibly can regardless your cabin
you possibly can regardless your cabin
you possibly can regardless your cabin attendants will not be serving you food
attendants will not be serving you food
attendants will not be serving you food and thus you might find that you have
and thus you might find that you have
and thus you might find that you have gone three days without eating but feel
gone three days without eating but feel
gone three days without eating but feel free to pick up the leftovers you
free to pick up the leftovers you
free to pick up the leftovers you dropped on your shirt last week thank
dropped on your shirt last week thank
dropped on your shirt last week thank you for choosing the Internet we hope
you for choosing the Internet we hope
you for choosing the Internet we hope you have a pleasant journey and god help
you have a pleasant journey and god help
you have a pleasant journey and god help you there’s no turning back now but no
you there’s no turning back now but no
you there’s no turning back now but no one prepared us for the internet
one prepared us for the internet
one prepared us for the internet generation we have grown up in a world
generation we have grown up in a world
generation we have grown up in a world where we have felt indestructible and
where we have felt indestructible and
where we have felt indestructible and vulnerable at the same time we have
vulnerable at the same time we have
vulnerable at the same time we have grown up in a world where cowardice
grown up in a world where cowardice
grown up in a world where cowardice seems bold as obscure usernames bully
seems bold as obscure usernames bully
seems bold as obscure usernames bully and abuse 12 year olds and the people
and abuse 12 year olds and the people
and abuse 12 year olds and the people behind those usernames would not dare
behind those usernames would not dare
behind those usernames would not dare look you in the eye in your life it’s a
look you in the eye in your life it’s a
look you in the eye in your life it’s a shame but we have grown up in a world
shame but we have grown up in a world
shame but we have grown up in a world will be felt indestructible and
will be felt indestructible and
will be felt indestructible and vulnerable at the same time
vulnerable at the same time
vulnerable at the same time we have grown up in a world where we can
we have grown up in a world where we can
we have grown up in a world where we can celebrate ourselves but we can find
celebrate ourselves but we can find
celebrate ourselves but we can find people who love the things we love where
people who love the things we love where
people who love the things we love where we can find people do love the things we
we can find people do love the things we
we can find people do love the things we love with where you can spend entire
love with where you can spend entire
love with where you can spend entire nights talking to people you thought
nights talking to people you thought
nights talking to people you thought you’d never see again smiling stupidly
you’d never see again smiling stupidly
you’d never see again smiling stupidly at your cellphone screen sharing YouTube
at your cellphone screen sharing YouTube
at your cellphone screen sharing YouTube links and weird-ass memes and you feel
links and weird-ass memes and you feel
links and weird-ass memes and you feel all those fields with such intensity but
all those fields with such intensity but
all those fields with such intensity but no one prepared us for the internet
no one prepared us for the internet
no one prepared us for the internet generation like beta when a person and
generation like beta when a person and
generation like beta when a person and free Wi-Fi fall in love or Mita a
free Wi-Fi fall in love or Mita a
free Wi-Fi fall in love or Mita a stalker slip God brought the iPad to
stalker slip God brought the iPad to
stalker slip God brought the iPad to Daddy or beta imagine mummy as the
Daddy or beta imagine mummy as the
Daddy or beta imagine mummy as the bumble bee and the pollen as the app mum
bumble bee and the pollen as the app mum
bumble bee and the pollen as the app mum said son when your internet connection
said son when your internet connection
said son when your internet connection was installed at home we fuse together
was installed at home we fuse together
was installed at home we fuse together and form a little void gradually the
and form a little void gradually the
and form a little void gradually the void got bigger and bigger and
void got bigger and bigger and
void got bigger and bigger and eventually it on into you an insatiable
eventually it on into you an insatiable
eventually it on into you an insatiable child begging for attention
child begging for attention
child begging for attention constantly bing-bing-bing-bing always
constantly bing-bing-bing-bing always
constantly bing-bing-bing-bing always trying about some notification of the
trying about some notification of the
trying about some notification of the other mummy I want this update mommy I
other mummy I want this update mommy I
other mummy I want this update mommy I want that update please watch this
want that update please watch this
want that update please watch this 10-minute video of people popping
10-minute video of people popping
10-minute video of people popping pimples for me please and then halfway
pimples for me please and then halfway
pimples for me please and then halfway through the video by the time you are
through the video by the time you are
through the video by the time you are invested which I changes his mind and
invested which I changes his mind and
invested which I changes his mind and stops buffering but at the end of the
stops buffering but at the end of the
stops buffering but at the end of the day any parent would understand it’s a
day any parent would understand it’s a
day any parent would understand it’s a love-hate relationship after all child
love-hate relationship after all child
love-hate relationship after all child is a result of your mistakes of your
is a result of your mistakes of your
is a result of your mistakes of your carelessness see you nurture it and let
carelessness see you nurture it and let
carelessness see you nurture it and let it grow welcome to the internet
it grow welcome to the internet
it grow welcome to the internet generation it’s a houseful thetour
generation it’s a houseful thetour
generation it’s a houseful thetour showing now a drama of contradictions
showing now a drama of contradictions
showing now a drama of contradictions where we feel mighty and 100 feet tall
where we feel mighty and 100 feet tall
where we feel mighty and 100 feet tall and we feel insignificant and about this
and we feel insignificant and about this
and we feel insignificant and about this small where we have come face to face
small where we have come face to face
small where we have come face to face with honesty and with lies where you can
with honesty and with lies where you can
with honesty and with lies where you can reveal yourselves completely and still
reveal yourselves completely and still
reveal yourselves completely and still be able to hide but we have found people
be able to hide but we have found people
be able to hide but we have found people we lost somewhere in our childhood but
we lost somewhere in our childhood but
we lost somewhere in our childhood but we have lost people sitting across as
we have lost people sitting across as
we have lost people sitting across as eating Chinese food we have watched the
eating Chinese food we have watched the
eating Chinese food we have watched the continents kicked together and fall into
continents kicked together and fall into
continents kicked together and fall into place but we have watched each man
place but we have watched each man
place but we have watched each man become an island in so many ways we are
become an island in so many ways we are
become an island in so many ways we are the internet generation we are a
the internet generation we are a
the internet generation we are a bittersweet conglomeration of mundane
bittersweet conglomeration of mundane
bittersweet conglomeration of mundane thoughts and extraordinary ideas of the
thoughts and extraordinary ideas of the
thoughts and extraordinary ideas of the same thing being said again and again
same thing being said again and again
same thing being said again and again and again and again of the same thing
and again and again of the same thing
and again and again of the same thing being said differently and blowing us
being said differently and blowing us
being said differently and blowing us away of boring pictures and misinformed
away of boring pictures and misinformed
away of boring pictures and misinformed rants of art but punches you in the face
rants of art but punches you in the face
rants of art but punches you in the face and in the heart of them
and in the heart of them
and in the heart of them million people fuming because of a dog
million people fuming because of a dog
million people fuming because of a dog that was abused and nearly died and a
that was abused and nearly died and a
that was abused and nearly died and a million people smiling because of a
million people smiling because of a
million people smiling because of a Coldplay concert video when a small
Coldplay concert video when a small
Coldplay concert video when a small autistic boy cried I am the internet
autistic boy cried I am the internet
autistic boy cried I am the internet generation I am a section of mankind
generation I am a section of mankind
generation I am a section of mankind that has relearned the beauty of clouds
that has relearned the beauty of clouds
that has relearned the beauty of clouds and why I was running across the sky of
and why I was running across the sky of
and why I was running across the sky of a time where everyone is an artist and
a time where everyone is an artist and
a time where everyone is an artist and everyone is full of words and images and
everyone is full of words and images and
everyone is full of words and images and colors of a place from where one voice
colors of a place from where one voice
colors of a place from where one voice can echo across the oceans and the
can echo across the oceans and the
can echo across the oceans and the season shake the entire planet so please
season shake the entire planet so please
season shake the entire planet so please don’t tell me things like oh your
don’t tell me things like oh your
don’t tell me things like oh your generation is a lost cause because I
generation is a lost cause because I
generation is a lost cause because I might seem this small but don’t forget
might seem this small but don’t forget
might seem this small but don’t forget I’m also 100 feet tall so I’m here
I’m also 100 feet tall so I’m here
I’m also 100 feet tall so I’m here because I made a difference it wasn’t a
because I made a difference it wasn’t a
because I made a difference it wasn’t a huge difference no deaths were prevented
huge difference no deaths were prevented
huge difference no deaths were prevented poverty radical god forbid um equality
poverty radical god forbid um equality
poverty radical god forbid um equality established but I made a difference and
established but I made a difference and
established but I made a difference and I did it with an idea or more
I did it with an idea or more
I did it with an idea or more specifically I did it with a story now
specifically I did it with a story now
specifically I did it with a story now stories generate empathy between any two
stories generate empathy between any two
stories generate empathy between any two people who are as different as can be if
people who are as different as can be if
people who are as different as can be if one is the storyteller and the other is
one is the storyteller and the other is
one is the storyteller and the other is the story told
the story told
the story told we stripe oh by the way you don’t have
we stripe oh by the way you don’t have
we stripe oh by the way you don’t have to snap anymore because I’ve started the
to snap anymore because I’ve started the
to snap anymore because I’ve started the dog um we strive to understand ourselves
dog um we strive to understand ourselves
dog um we strive to understand ourselves better constantly and we strive to
better constantly and we strive to
better constantly and we strive to understand each other better
understand each other better
understand each other better why are books like the white tiger or
why are books like the white tiger or
why are books like the white tiger or tequila Mockingbird renowned literary
tequila Mockingbird renowned literary
tequila Mockingbird renowned literary pieces it’s because they make us
pieces it’s because they make us
pieces it’s because they make us empathize with people and situations
empathize with people and situations
empathize with people and situations that we never would have been able to
that we never would have been able to
that we never would have been able to otherwise
otherwise
otherwise this empathy I think is the key to
this empathy I think is the key to
this empathy I think is the key to creating a balanced in just society I
creating a balanced in just society I
creating a balanced in just society I dream of a society whose balance lies in
dream of a society whose balance lies in
dream of a society whose balance lies in the power of stories imagine how
the power of stories imagine how
the power of stories imagine how beautiful and ideal the world would be
beautiful and ideal the world would be
beautiful and ideal the world would be if it was one where everybody was hard
that’s also why I’m here
that’s also why I’m here I’m here to tell you a story and to
I’m here to tell you a story and to
I’m here to tell you a story and to explain to you why you should tell one
explain to you why you should tell one
explain to you why you should tell one too I like writing I always have I
too I like writing I always have I
too I like writing I always have I started a blog when I was 13 that I
started a blog when I was 13 that I
started a blog when I was 13 that I updated an average of four times a day
updated an average of four times a day
updated an average of four times a day and that no one read
and that no one read
and that no one read and I still write on that blog and no
and I still write on that blog and no
and I still write on that blog and no wonder you did but I was completely okay
wonder you did but I was completely okay
wonder you did but I was completely okay with that you know I get 20 views a week
with that you know I get 20 views a week
with that you know I get 20 views a week and sometimes we go to 30 and I’d be the
and sometimes we go to 30 and I’d be the
and sometimes we go to 30 and I’d be the proudest person through it I was the
proudest person through it I was the
proudest person through it I was the only person in the room and it was fine
only person in the room and it was fine
only person in the room and it was fine I was completely content in the small
I was completely content in the small
I was completely content in the small bubble that consisted solely of my
bubble that consisted solely of my
bubble that consisted solely of my scraps of writing and me then early 2016
scraps of writing and me then early 2016
scraps of writing and me then early 2016 my friend told me that he was working
my friend told me that he was working
my friend told me that he was working with a spoken word organization and that
with a spoken word organization and that
with a spoken word organization and that I should write something for them I was
I should write something for them I was
I should write something for them I was like yeah sure sounds amazing knowing
like yeah sure sounds amazing knowing
like yeah sure sounds amazing knowing full well that I would write something
full well that I would write something
full well that I would write something hate myself for two hours and then not
hate myself for two hours and then not
hate myself for two hours and then not send it in because I couldn’t there’s no
send it in because I couldn’t there’s no
send it in because I couldn’t there’s no way that I could I never considered my
way that I could I never considered my
way that I could I never considered my writing with the time and patience of a
writing with the time and patience of a
writing with the time and patience of a spoken word environment and do I have
spoken word environment and do I have
spoken word environment and do I have stage fright so I refused but he was
stage fright so I refused but he was
stage fright so I refused but he was very determined to get me to write
very determined to get me to write
very determined to get me to write something he kept reiterating that he
something he kept reiterating that he
something he kept reiterating that he was my blog’s biggest fan and I kept
was my blog’s biggest fan and I kept
was my blog’s biggest fan and I kept telling him that he was just biased and
telling him that he was just biased and
telling him that he was just biased and obviously just in love with me I mean
obviously just in love with me I mean
obviously just in love with me I mean obviously but he convinced me finally
obviously but he convinced me finally
obviously but he convinced me finally and I have this very vivid memory of
and I have this very vivid memory of
and I have this very vivid memory of sitting in front of my laptop and
sitting in front of my laptop and
sitting in front of my laptop and staring at this blank document I had
staring at this blank document I had
staring at this blank document I had nothing nothing at all that I thought
nothing nothing at all that I thought
nothing nothing at all that I thought anyone won’t listen to that’s exactly
anyone won’t listen to that’s exactly
anyone won’t listen to that’s exactly what I wrote about my first ever spoken
what I wrote about my first ever spoken
what I wrote about my first ever spoken word piece starts with these lines I
word piece starts with these lines I
word piece starts with these lines I don’t have much to say that hasn’t been
don’t have much to say that hasn’t been
don’t have much to say that hasn’t been said before I don’t have any claims to
said before I don’t have any claims to
said before I don’t have any claims to make that haven’t been claimed before I
make that haven’t been claimed before I
make that haven’t been claimed before I don’t have any movements to organize
don’t have any movements to organize
don’t have any movements to organize that it haven’t been moved before but I
that it haven’t been moved before but I
that it haven’t been moved before but I like to write and I like people to
like to write and I like people to
like to write and I like people to listen and I’ve never really even heard
listen and I’ve never really even heard
listen and I’ve never really even heard before straight from the heart
before straight from the heart
before straight from the heart the noise was sincerely genuine things
the noise was sincerely genuine things
the noise was sincerely genuine things that I was thinking I wrote it out I
that I was thinking I wrote it out I
that I was thinking I wrote it out I stopped thinking about how a spoken word
stopped thinking about how a spoken word
stopped thinking about how a spoken word piece should be written I stopped
piece should be written I stopped
piece should be written I stopped thinking about what people wanted to
thinking about what people wanted to
thinking about what people wanted to hear and I wrote instead about what it
hear and I wrote instead about what it
hear and I wrote instead about what it was like to be really shy really awkward
was like to be really shy really awkward
was like to be really shy really awkward introvert who would actually love to be
introvert who would actually love to be
introvert who would actually love to be heard as I scented him I was dying with
heard as I scented him I was dying with
heard as I scented him I was dying with the anxiety but I was also 99% sure that
the anxiety but I was also 99% sure that
the anxiety but I was also 99% sure that they wouldn’t select it until the next
they wouldn’t select it until the next
they wouldn’t select it until the next day
day
day my friend back then he would eventually
my friend back then he would eventually
my friend back then he would eventually shouting hand on my shoulder he said
shouting hand on my shoulder he said
shouting hand on my shoulder he said don’t worry I’ll make sure you get a
don’t worry I’ll make sure you get a
don’t worry I’ll make sure you get a slot and I said no it’s fine I mean
slot and I said no it’s fine I mean
slot and I said no it’s fine I mean better luck next time how what a bummer
better luck next time how what a bummer
better luck next time how what a bummer don’t don’t don’t don’t
don’t don’t don’t don’t
don’t don’t don’t don’t very cool calm collected response and so
very cool calm collected response and so
very cool calm collected response and so it was that a week later I was
it was that a week later I was
it was that a week later I was introduced to the organizers told that I
introduced to the organizers told that I
introduced to the organizers told that I would be going out the Horde and I left
would be going out the Horde and I left
would be going out the Horde and I left to my own self-loathing anxiety stricken
to my own self-loathing anxiety stricken
to my own self-loathing anxiety stricken devices until the event started now I
devices until the event started now I
devices until the event started now I have no memory of my first performance I
have no memory of my first performance I
have no memory of my first performance I don’t know if I repeated lines of forgot
don’t know if I repeated lines of forgot
don’t know if I repeated lines of forgot lines all I remember is my heartbeat and
lines all I remember is my heartbeat and
lines all I remember is my heartbeat and my breathing being so loud that I was
my breathing being so loud that I was
my breathing being so loud that I was afraid that that was all the mic was
afraid that that was all the mic was
afraid that that was all the mic was picking up and I didn’t know that you
picking up and I didn’t know that you
picking up and I didn’t know that you snap when you like something I thought
snap when you like something I thought
snap when you like something I thought they were just trying to rush me off the
they were just trying to rush me off the
they were just trying to rush me off the stage and when I was leaving I just
stage and when I was leaving I just
stage and when I was leaving I just remember my head being very light and my
remember my head being very light and my
remember my head being very light and my legs shaking so much that I thought I
legs shaking so much that I thought I
legs shaking so much that I thought I was going to fall and that was it and
was going to fall and that was it and
was going to fall and that was it and then a few days later I got a message on
then a few days later I got a message on
then a few days later I got a message on Facebook asking me to perform the piece
Facebook asking me to perform the piece
Facebook asking me to perform the piece again then the introvert video went up
again then the introvert video went up
again then the introvert video went up when you do then on BuzzFeed I one scoop
when you do then on BuzzFeed I one scoop
when you do then on BuzzFeed I one scoop worked and on scroll that on India today
worked and on scroll that on India today
worked and on scroll that on India today people asked me to give interviews for
people asked me to give interviews for
people asked me to give interviews for them they asked me to talk on the radio
them they asked me to talk on the radio
them they asked me to talk on the radio shows they asked me write articles for
shows they asked me write articles for
shows they asked me write articles for the magazines all because of one story a
the magazines all because of one story a
the magazines all because of one story a story about an introvert that tens of
story about an introvert that tens of
story about an introvert that tens of thousands of people’s hot with their
thousands of people’s hot with their
thousands of people’s hot with their story
now the piece went viral and the piece
now the piece went viral and the piece makes a lot of fun of extra words for
makes a lot of fun of extra words for
makes a lot of fun of extra words for being amazing with the only chance I got
being amazing with the only chance I got
being amazing with the only chance I got and so on public platforms there were a
and so on public platforms there were a
and so on public platforms there were a lot of extroverts who wanted to give me
lot of extroverts who wanted to give me
lot of extroverts who wanted to give me a piece of the mind and there were
a piece of the mind and there were
a piece of the mind and there were people saying how can she be introvert
people saying how can she be introvert
people saying how can she be introvert she’s too confident this is obviously
she’s too confident this is obviously
she’s too confident this is obviously publicity stunts too much harsher and
publicity stunts too much harsher and
publicity stunts too much harsher and cruel law name-calling and insults that
cruel law name-calling and insults that
cruel law name-calling and insults that would have really had the power to hurt
would have really had the power to hurt
would have really had the power to hurt me
me
me had it not been for the introverts he
had it not been for the introverts he
had it not been for the introverts he sent me private messages on facebook
sent me private messages on facebook
sent me private messages on facebook Instagram Gmail telling me how much they
Instagram Gmail telling me how much they
Instagram Gmail telling me how much they loved the peace and thanking me they
loved the peace and thanking me they
loved the peace and thanking me they were thanking me for saying things that
were thanking me for saying things that
were thanking me for saying things that they have felt their entire lives but
they have felt their entire lives but
they have felt their entire lives but could never put into words there were
could never put into words there were
could never put into words there were people who told me that you know they
people who told me that you know they
people who told me that you know they were really struggling
were really struggling
were really struggling in the new work environment with my
in the new work environment with my
in the new work environment with my piece empowered them and now they’d stop
piece empowered them and now they’d stop
piece empowered them and now they’d stop eating lunch in the toilets there were
eating lunch in the toilets there were
eating lunch in the toilets there were others who told me that the extrovert
others who told me that the extrovert
others who told me that the extrovert friends finally understood why didn’t
friends finally understood why didn’t
friends finally understood why didn’t wanna go to parties and they express
wanna go to parties and they express
wanna go to parties and they express their gratitude my favorite with those
their gratitude my favorite with those
their gratitude my favorite with those who inspired to write their own pieces
who inspired to write their own pieces
who inspired to write their own pieces and tell their own story it fills me
and tell their own story it fills me
and tell their own story it fills me with so much pride to be able to tell
with so much pride to be able to tell
with so much pride to be able to tell you that I am the reason that someone
you that I am the reason that someone
you that I am the reason that someone realized their stories are worth sharing
realized their stories are worth sharing
realized their stories are worth sharing because we live in a world where
because we live in a world where
because we live in a world where everything moves so fast people are so
everything moves so fast people are so
everything moves so fast people are so busy technology bombard you with ten
busy technology bombard you with ten
busy technology bombard you with ten different things you know Twitter
different things you know Twitter
different things you know Twitter Instagram Facebook Gmail flight details
Instagram Facebook Gmail flight details
Instagram Facebook Gmail flight details weather forecasts political updates
weather forecasts political updates
weather forecasts political updates Trump is everywhere now and you don’t
Trump is everywhere now and you don’t
Trump is everywhere now and you don’t get time to tell your stories anymore
get time to tell your stories anymore
get time to tell your stories anymore and worse you don’t get time to listen
and worse you don’t get time to listen
and worse you don’t get time to listen to this with my experience with spoken
to this with my experience with spoken
to this with my experience with spoken word and storytelling I think that it’s
word and storytelling I think that it’s
word and storytelling I think that it’s a civil to have a just and balanced
a civil to have a just and balanced
a civil to have a just and balanced society when half the world is silent
society when half the world is silent
society when half the world is silent who are you to decide that your stories
who are you to decide that your stories
who are you to decide that your stories are not worth telling how do you know
are not worth telling how do you know
are not worth telling how do you know that your story won’t make one person do
that your story won’t make one person do
that your story won’t make one person do something amazing or change a thousand
something amazing or change a thousand
something amazing or change a thousand people’s lives you don’t have the light
people’s lives you don’t have the light
people’s lives you don’t have the light to decide that your story won’t change
to decide that your story won’t change
to decide that your story won’t change something even if the only thing it
something even if the only thing it
something even if the only thing it changes is you a story has the power to
changes is you a story has the power to
changes is you a story has the power to make a man who’s afraid of heights climb
make a man who’s afraid of heights climb
make a man who’s afraid of heights climb a mountain but it also has the power to
a mountain but it also has the power to
a mountain but it also has the power to start revolution today thousands of
start revolution today thousands of
start revolution today thousands of women across India are sharing stories
women across India are sharing stories
women across India are sharing stories of sexual harassment for example and
of sexual harassment for example and
of sexual harassment for example and it’s liberating them it’s bringing them
it’s liberating them it’s bringing them
it’s liberating them it’s bringing them together and stalking about an age-old
together and stalking about an age-old
together and stalking about an age-old problem and refusing to let it die down
problem and refusing to let it die down
problem and refusing to let it die down again that’s the power only your story
again that’s the power only your story
again that’s the power only your story you can have laws and rules we’ll never
you can have laws and rules we’ll never
you can have laws and rules we’ll never be able to do that because they hit you
be able to do that because they hit you
be able to do that because they hit you from the outside rules they do from the
from the outside rules they do from the
from the outside rules they do from the outside a story gets you from within
outside a story gets you from within
outside a story gets you from within it’s that simple not that that means you
it’s that simple not that that means you
it’s that simple not that that means you only have to write socially relevant
only have to write socially relevant
only have to write socially relevant stories obviously yes stories can start
stories obviously yes stories can start
stories obviously yes stories can start a movement but you start with you and
a movement but you start with you and
a movement but you start with you and whatever is most genuinely sincerely you
whatever is most genuinely sincerely you
whatever is most genuinely sincerely you will resonate with the rest
will resonate with the rest
will resonate with the rest I started off by telling you that I’m
I started off by telling you that I’m
I started off by telling you that I’m here because I made a difference I guess
here because I made a difference I guess
here because I made a difference I guess I forgot to mention that I’m also here
I forgot to mention that I’m also here
I forgot to mention that I’m also here to tell you that you can make a
to tell you that you can make a
to tell you that you can make a difference too
difference too
difference too it’s so simple just on the story I want
it’s so simple just on the story I want
it’s so simple just on the story I want to end with another piece um it’s called
to end with another piece um it’s called
to end with another piece um it’s called a lot like me and it’s about this girl I
a lot like me and it’s about this girl I
a lot like me and it’s about this girl I know and she’s about my age she’s about
know and she’s about my age she’s about
know and she’s about my age she’s about my height and she has my face and the
my height and she has my face and the
my height and she has my face and the color of our eyes they match and shade
color of our eyes they match and shade
color of our eyes they match and shade and the texture of our skin it’s exactly
and the texture of our skin it’s exactly
and the texture of our skin it’s exactly the same she walks like me but her gait
the same she walks like me but her gait
the same she walks like me but her gait is softer her feet will gently like fish
is softer her feet will gently like fish
is softer her feet will gently like fish and water and when she passes you by you
and water and when she passes you by you
and water and when she passes you by you want her to smile at you touch your arm
want her to smile at you touch your arm
want her to smile at you touch your arm fill you with her laughter I heard her
fill you with her laughter I heard her
fill you with her laughter I heard her speak and she’s shy her face contorts
speak and she’s shy her face contorts
speak and she’s shy her face contorts into funny lines you might not hear her
into funny lines you might not hear her
into funny lines you might not hear her so she keeps quiet don’t mind her she’s
so she keeps quiet don’t mind her she’s
so she keeps quiet don’t mind her she’s just trying not to get in your way when
just trying not to get in your way when
just trying not to get in your way when she doesn’t meet your eye she’s really
she doesn’t meet your eye she’s really
she doesn’t meet your eye she’s really quite okay once you get to know her in
quite okay once you get to know her in
quite okay once you get to know her in fact she’s almost lovely you just need
fact she’s almost lovely you just need
fact she’s almost lovely you just need to show her that you’ll help her build a
to show her that you’ll help her build a
to show her that you’ll help her build a conversation that’ll make her go weak in
conversation that’ll make her go weak in
conversation that’ll make her go weak in the knees and then you pretty much own
the knees and then you pretty much own
the knees and then you pretty much own her when she moves she moves like me but
her when she moves she moves like me but
her when she moves she moves like me but she does it much more elegantly she
she does it much more elegantly she
she does it much more elegantly she likes to use her hands when she speaks
likes to use her hands when she speaks
likes to use her hands when she speaks to orchestrate her spoken imagery you
to orchestrate her spoken imagery you
to orchestrate her spoken imagery you can snap with him did you know she
can snap with him did you know she
can snap with him did you know she writes she likes words that exactly like
writes she likes words that exactly like
writes she likes words that exactly like the ones I’ve heard but even though she
the ones I’ve heard but even though she
the ones I’ve heard but even though she frames them just the way I do somehow
frames them just the way I do somehow
frames them just the way I do somehow hosts fit together perfectly and might
hosts fit together perfectly and might
hosts fit together perfectly and might never walk anyway feed her chocolate and
never walk anyway feed her chocolate and
never walk anyway feed her chocolate and cakes of darts give her books to read
cakes of darts give her books to read
cakes of darts give her books to read and movies to watch because she’s just
and movies to watch because she’s just
and movies to watch because she’s just like me she’s just like me and still
like me she’s just like me and still
like me she’s just like me and still she’s not there’s something that
she’s not there’s something that
she’s not there’s something that separates us and I’m not sure what she
separates us and I’m not sure what she
separates us and I’m not sure what she was singing Elvis Presley song she would
was singing Elvis Presley song she would
was singing Elvis Presley song she would midnight very softly over what’s that
midnight very softly over what’s that
midnight very softly over what’s that voice notes just like I do and just like
voice notes just like I do and just like
voice notes just like I do and just like me she tried to convince you after not
me she tried to convince you after not
me she tried to convince you after not to listen to them for a while see
to listen to them for a while see
to listen to them for a while see there’s this girl I know and she’ll grow
there’s this girl I know and she’ll grow
there’s this girl I know and she’ll grow on you she will shower you with love
on you she will shower you with love
on you she will shower you with love that I glow on you
that I glow on you
that I glow on you and she might get on your nerves
and she might get on your nerves
and she might get on your nerves sometimes like I know I do but you grew
sometimes like I know I do but you grew
sometimes like I know I do but you grew on you I promise she’ll grow on you did
on you I promise she’ll grow on you did
on you I promise she’ll grow on you did I mention that she likes she likes what
I mention that she likes she likes what
I mention that she likes she likes what she tries to woo boys with poetry and
she tries to woo boys with poetry and
she tries to woo boys with poetry and prose and though you might not think
prose and though you might not think
prose and though you might not think that one can flirt in metaphors she’s
that one can flirt in metaphors she’s
that one can flirt in metaphors she’s not flustered like me and somehow she
not flustered like me and somehow she
not flustered like me and somehow she makes it work anyway listen to the
makes it work anyway listen to the
makes it work anyway listen to the Beatles and take her on long walks it
Beatles and take her on long walks it
Beatles and take her on long walks it doesn’t matter if it’s on Lincoln Road
doesn’t matter if it’s on Lincoln Road
doesn’t matter if it’s on Lincoln Road or down by the dogs see she loves to
or down by the dogs see she loves to
or down by the dogs see she loves to hear you speak as much as she likes to
hear you speak as much as she likes to
hear you speak as much as she likes to talk and you can repeat your stories
talk and you can repeat your stories
talk and you can repeat your stories which is a great book because her memory
which is a great book because her memory
which is a great book because her memory sucks and she probably forgot anyway she
sucks and she probably forgot anyway she
sucks and she probably forgot anyway she acts like me but she’s sweet oh when she
acts like me but she’s sweet oh when she
acts like me but she’s sweet oh when she messes up the moment doesn’t last
messes up the moment doesn’t last
messes up the moment doesn’t last forever like it does when I eat her down
forever like it does when I eat her down
forever like it does when I eat her down before crash bone when she does it it’s
before crash bone when she does it it’s
before crash bone when she does it it’s just subtle and neato and she won’t
just subtle and neato and she won’t
just subtle and neato and she won’t always tell you what’s on her mind but
always tell you what’s on her mind but
always tell you what’s on her mind but when she does she’ll try her heart is
when she does she’ll try her heart is
when she does she’ll try her heart is not to lie even though it takes all her
not to lie even though it takes all her
not to lie even though it takes all her might to let down her guard and show you
might to let down her guard and show you
might to let down her guard and show you her vulnerable side see she’s a lot like
her vulnerable side see she’s a lot like
her vulnerable side see she’s a lot like me but she’s braver harsh words and
me but she’s braver harsh words and
me but she’s braver harsh words and crude comments don’t faze her she just
crude comments don’t faze her she just
crude comments don’t faze her she just gent unlike me from failure she’s a lot
gent unlike me from failure she’s a lot
gent unlike me from failure she’s a lot like me when faced with the scissor
like me when faced with the scissor
like me when faced with the scissor she’s a lot more like rock I’m a lot
she’s a lot more like rock I’m a lot
she’s a lot more like rock I’m a lot more like people see there’s this girl I
more like people see there’s this girl I
more like people see there’s this girl I know and we are exactly the same from
know and we are exactly the same from
know and we are exactly the same from the length of our toenails to the shapes
the length of our toenails to the shapes
the length of our toenails to the shapes of our names and I have to admit this
of our names and I have to admit this
of our names and I have to admit this even though I’m ashamed but I think it’s
even though I’m ashamed but I think it’s
even though I’m ashamed but I think it’s because I’m to blame because she’s the
because I’m to blame because she’s the
because I’m to blame because she’s the better version even though she’s a lot
better version even though she’s a lot
better version even though she’s a lot like me and I think that’s because she’s
like me and I think that’s because she’s
like me and I think that’s because she’s not what I see I think that maybe if I
not what I see I think that maybe if I
not what I see I think that maybe if I step out of my shoes and I looked at her
step out of my shoes and I looked at her
step out of my shoes and I looked at her objectively maybe I’d call her beautiful
objectively maybe I’d call her beautiful
objectively maybe I’d call her beautiful because maybe maybe she is thank you
”
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