People will hate you. Yes, even if you make all the “right” decisions, half of the country (at least) is going to think you’re an idiot. You can’t win. - an American kid’s essay on why she would not like to be President.

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Trust is earned. Patience is learned. Hurt is to be expected. Strength is to be coveted. Smiles are necessary. Laughter is to be spent. Head is to be held high.

People will tell you what they think of you. You will have to decide what you think of you.

They will shoot - are you ready for the bullets?

You cannot expect to put yourself in the bullseye and not expect the arrows to come hard and fast.

You have to be sure - do you really know who you are? What is going to keep you standing when they’ve chiseled at your knees till they give way?

Advice is given. Take it. And choose.

At the end of the day - know who you are, and why you are doing this. Know that you have signed up for something you didn’t have to do. But that you cannot walk away from as easily as you chose to walk into.

Know that few, or none will thank you for what you do or have done. Know that more might hate you for what you didn’t do.  Know that it doesn’t matter. Because this is what you signed up for. Are you sure you’re sure that you know what you signed up for?

You’d better know. Because when the shit comes in you’d better know why you’re there receiving it with open arms.

Know.

Know that no matter how well you prepare yourself for the best, and the worst, that there exists shit that you failed to imagine before it happened.

Know that. And know that you can, must, and will, walk through it because this, is what you signed up for.

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Welcome.