Hey Taylor,

Thanks for writing this piece! I remember when I started writing, I was a broke college student having trouble finding a full time job. I remember writing as if I had a chip on my shoulder - hungry to prove myself to the world that my current, low status was not reflective of my true potential as a human being. When I finally got my first full time job, I was earning barely above minimum wage. Even though I had gotten what I "wanted" and was earning money, it was clearly not enough for me as I continued to write desperately - cultivating the dream that I would one day become an established writer who could live solely off his words.

Perhaps it was my insecurity and low self-esteem that came from comparing myself to my peers, who were making significantly more. Perhaps it was my shame in being unable to barely provide for myself, let alone my family. I found that paradoxically, negative emotions like insecurity, desperation, and shame can be utilized to enhance your creative ideations and productions. You would think that they would debilitate you and not allow you to create anything until you resolved them first, but I slowly came to realize that they are powerful emotions that can fuel your actions and change your perspective on many things in life (perhaps not always in a positive way). Maybe this is why the struggling artist archetype is still around to this day. Pain and suffering, though difficult to overcome, can indeed be conquered. By overcoming your insufficiencies and struggles, you develop confidence and character.

Another paradox I've found is that by being vulnerable and sharing the things you struggle with, you are seen as a courageous person. People don't like to share their weaknesses because they believe others will see them as flawed beings. Ironically, when they share their afflictions and insecurities, people resonate with them and are often inspired by their bravery. Humans are imperfect creatures, so there really is no reason for us to be shameful of our shortcomings. But simply sharing your imperfections isn't enough - you must display to people how you're thinking and acting to overcome those flaws. You must show people that they are not simply products of biology or the environment. You must fight against the notion that you are subject to a cruel fate. You must know your limitations, but you must also recognize that you have the ability to transcend them. You must show people that people can always change for the better.

The journey to know and improve ourselves is a never ending road. While this can seem like a daunting task, we must accept this reality and trudge forward like Sisyphus in order to live a fulfilling and meaningful life in this world. "One must imagine Sisyphus happy."