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You may have heard of the famous maxim inscribed over the door of Apollo's temple in Delphi, 2500 years ago: Know thyself. Though helpful, this maxim is insufficient. It could be interpreted to indicate there is a fixed self to be found and understood. I don't believe that is the case.

Instead, I propose: Define yourself. Definition is a process of discovery, creation, reflection, and articulation. In this vein, I have chosen to create a space to discover, create, reflect on, and articulate the facets of my identity.

I have found inspiration in words from the introduction to Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. They emboldened me to craft my own dictim to guide my actions and focus my intentions.

My Leaves
This is what I shall do:
Learn to love my imperfect, beautiful, impermanent self,
Own my mistakes,
Pursue happiness not wealth,
Give aid to anyone that directly asks,
Stand up for the powerless,
Knock down tyrants,
Devote time and energy to things greater than myself,
Nourish my friendships,
Breathe mountain air,
Argue not concerning things unknown,
Meet every person as sacred and as my equal,
Take off my hat to no one, no thing, and no institution,
Read these leaves alone and in company every season of every year of my life,
Re-examine all I have been told by elders, teachers, clergy, or have read in any book,
Dismiss whatever insults my soul,
And my very flesh may become a great poem....


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