There is a reason for the saying, ‘The Truth Hurts.’ The saying cuts both ways because the truth is often just as difficult to share as it is to hear. Maybe that is why the truth so often goes unspoken. But for those pursuing their ambitions and committed to their goals, there is nothing more valuable or impactful than honest, truthful feedback.

I have always been a direct person. I personally value open communication for the clarity and accountability it brings. That said, I am frequently reminded that my default is not always the default for others. Even more difficult are those moments when I advocate the truth but encounter resistance – a preference from those around me for a different version of the facts.

It is an unfortunate truth that our present world has allowed the truth to become relative. Many people readily accept alternate facts and allow their beliefs to overrule evidence. This is the new status quo. But rather than feel outraged or disheartened by the current state, I encourage us instead to redouble our commitment to speaking and hearing the truth – even when it hurts us. If we are going to shape tomorrow, if we are to build the world we dream of, we must be courageous enough to trust any pain that truth may bring.

“Telling the truth and making someone cry is better than telling a lie and making someone smile.” – Paolo Coelho 

We must be a benefit to one another. Silence, avoidance, and pretense undermine growth, development and collaboration. We cannot allow ourselves to become fearful of the truth. To do so is to accept the status quo and follow those that seed deceit. Instead, we must encourage one another through constructive feedback and admit when we are struggling with fear or doubt. Only honesty – and the trust that comes with it – can bring destructive thoughts to heel. Be strong. Be truthful. Win.

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Me.Now. completes its first 100 days tomorrow. While those 100 days feel like they have passed somehow both fast and slow, what has been accomplished is owed to all of you who continue to participate in our growing Me.Now. Movement. It is with humble thanks that I share the benefits I’ve seen from Me.Now. in these last 99 days.

Me.Now. is built on the principle we can achieve more together than apart. This principle has manifested for me in ways I never thought possible. The Me.Now. Movement has carried my ambition to be an entrepreneur from bar-napkin doodle to reality. I’ve found encouragement, business connections and practical guidance in the last 99 days that have enabled me to develop a product and launch a business with international ties. Trust Ema LLC is primed to begin sales in April 2017 and would not have been possible but for those Me.Now. early adopters in Washington, Oregon, Arizona and Florida who lifted me up every time I stumbled. While I do not know what the future holds for EMA, I know that I am surrounded by support.

Me.Now. advocates that commitment to passion and ambition will lead to new confidence and new opportunities. I found out this week that I was awarded a full-ride scholarship to the US business school of my choice. I applied for the same scholarship last year and did not receive the award. In my previous application, I researched and prepared a package that modeled every pillar of the scholarship’s ‘ideal candidate’ attributes. I was stressed throughout the process and greatly discouraged when I found out I was not chosen. This year, leaning on Me.Now. principals, I built an application designed only to represent me, not the ‘ideal candidate.’ I felt almost no stress because I knew that my success was not dependent on the scholarship. While I do not know why my package won the scholarship this year and not last, my confidence and commitment are redoubled to both the Me.Now. Movement and my own entrepreneurial journey.

Me.Now. encourages all people to stand firm against doubt and fear. A few weeks ago I wrote a post about ditching discouragement and noted that I and other members of the Me.Now. Movement had suffered recent setbacks. As I write this post, the same members I referenced then have overcome their adversity and built bridges to new opportunities through personal courage and collaboration with other Me.Now. members. The Me.Now. Movement has seen new job opportunities, new goals, new supporters and even new babies in the last two weeks simply because we do not let doubt and fear steer our course.

Thank you for letting me share this good news through a blog usually dedicated to storytelling. I believe it is very important to celebrate the victories whether big or small and simply couldn’t let these first 100 days go by without thanking this group for what you’ve done for me and what our Movement continues to do for one another!

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