Lydia : Think what your values are , write them out , tattoo them across your heart and don ' t let them go . We deal with so much extra , and I think the way we are with ourselves matters . I had one of my values , based on a New York Times clipping , engraved in a ring I wear often . Shame follows us around too often . Last year I read a quote that said , " to live without shame is a radical act ." So , keep your ideas , write them down , believe in them and don ' t let anyone tell you otherwise because they are invaluable . Nurture your ideas , keep them , and keep writing . Keep dreaming of what you want to do . Shame silences and there is a power to speak and to question . It is not shameful to care or to feel either . I see too many individuals who moderate themselves for this reason . Surround yourself with people who have the best of intentions . Create and make space for others . If you screw up , apologize , and learn from it .
AfA : What can we expect from you next ?
Lydia : I would really like to have an answer to this one . Sadly , I don ' t ! I ' m in a kind of transition stage . I left my last regular job . I ' m also a Long COVID-19 individual , undergoing seemingly endless testing and appointments . I ' d like to think there ' s another book at the very minimum . I ' m always available for speaking related stuff online or in person ! And a course is sort of being adapted off the back of the book . It ' s not a lot , but it ' s a start .
AfA : What message would you like to share with the world about the importance of inclusivity and the power of the media to unite people ?
We speak so much about how words matter in the context of doing harm , but not really how they have a power of unity . I think we need to be reminded of this right now , especially post pandemic .
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