Running with Lions

To every LGBTQIA+ person who has questioned their place in life: You're strong. You're important. You're a lion. Let the world hear you roar.

Why do people let things so precious to them turn into dark, unbearable secrets?

The future is only grim because people see it that way. It's unpredictable. Life is a summer storm of insecure thoughts. There's an umbrella of precautions to prevent insecurity, but it doesn't always keep the rain out of your face.

You are not defined by who you love.

Acceptance has an amazing effect on people who pretend they don't need it.

Guys are beautiful. And girls are handsome. Words aren’t gender-specific.

If you're watching Scooby Doo and think of someone because it's their favorite cartoon. If you're allergic to flour but still eat someone's burnt pancakes. Or if you hate the color green but you wear it because it reminds you of a person's eyes just before you kiss them - well, it might be love.

the one thing that’s missing for him: respect. Not acceptance. Because that would mean Sebastian wants people to approve of him. Of his affection for Emir. He’s not searching for that brand of recognition. He wants people to respect him regardless of who he falls for.

High school is just like the night sky. It's beautiful. Some moments, you're just in awe of it. But it's dark and endless, which can be scary, too. When the stars fall away, what's left?... The sun... Darkness goes away, but the sun shows up and you start over again. So let high school happen, and eventually, you light up the rest of your life. Burn as bright as you want. The wonderful thing about the sun is, it's always there. People don't have to see you to believe you'll be there.

But being a teenager is one good day of being a superhero, followed by a hundred days of being self-conscious about every little damn thing. It's one big, selfish moment when you don't give a shit about other people's opinions, but you still want your friends to love who you are and what you do.

And that's the thing, life is sometimes just another day, and sometimes it's moment after moment that only paralyzes you if you let it.

Let life happen. All the plans we make are not guaranteed.

He’s been working toward saying something to Emir. He’s just not there yet. And rehearsing “Hello” and “I love you” in the bathroom every morning isn’t helping.

The sky spits out stars as time slips between them.

Life is sometimes just another day, and sometimes it's moment after moment after moment that only paralyzes you if you let it.

Bastian, you can do whatever you want, when you want. The only thing in life you have to do is live it.

Life isn't defined by who you fall in love with.

A good heart doesn't need a reason; take care of people the way you'd want them to take care of you.