Dear YLF forum members,

For YEARS, I was an active forum member. For several
reasons, I was unable to continue on the forum over the last few years. Coming
back now, it’s heartening to see many of my previous forum friends still
posting and an infusion of new names.

I want you to know that even though I have been absent, your
collective voice hasn’t been absent in my life. In March I gave my first TEDx talk about the need for
positive voices in our heads. The talk also contained deeply personal
stories. My hope is that the talk helps others who deal with shameful secrets,
failure, and doubt.

During the months leading up to the talk, I often lost my
nerve. At those times, I would catalogue
all the positive voices I had encountered in my life. To my great delight, this forum often came to
mind!

I’m sharing this talk with you now
and hope you enjoy it.

Lastly, a big shout out to Angie who helped me fine tune
every aspect of the outfit I wore on stage. I remember buying the white jacket,
cami, and pearls on a shopping trip with Angie. But putting it all together –
that’s an Angie superpower that I’m an ongoing student of!

p.s. actual link in case the hyperlinks above don't work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIW50_7UHLQ

p.p.s. I'm open to any feedback on the outfit.