These cards, like all of my mail, were supportive, encouraging, and caring. A word that makes its way into a number of the is “hero,” which is very flattering to say the least It’s hard for me to imagine anything I’ve done with y activism over the past 11 years that would invoke such admiration. I would like to think I’ve done what anyone would or could given my situations and opportunities. But it makes me think of a line of out Charles Dicken’s “David Copperfield”: “Whether I shall turn out to be the hero of my own life, or whether that situation will be held by anybody else, these pages must show.”

Through our actions in life we are writing our own history into the books. We are making a difference, leading by example and struggling for positive change. And whether we realize it or not, someone is taking notice.

Kevin, Lauren, Josh, Andy, Dari and I all share a passion to see suffering end—and we have all been active in finding solutions to the growing injustice. But I didn’t consider ourselves heroes—no more than any of you are. We all possess the abilities to stand up and fight back, and no matter how insignificant you may feel your actions are, they are actions that should be commended. And they are actions that can be improved upon and increased in volume.

Every day we are writing the pages or our lives, and we need to ask ourselves: “Am I going to be a spectator or a participant? Am I going to be my own hero or am I going to allow someone else to fill that position in my life?” Make your activism and life something to be proud of. Fill your days with a life that is making positive change for others, but you decide what the best way to do that is. If you trip and fall along the way, don’t be ashamed. A life without mistakes is a life without trying new ideas. And without trying anything new, you’re are limiting your ability to grow. At the end of the day be able to positively answer “Have I done all that I can do today?” Be someone you admire. Be your own hero.

As the new year approaches, I’ve been thinking of all the things I’m grateful for and excited about. (And that the New Year’s resolution I vowed—and broke—for the last ten years will finally be fulfilled: to keep in better contact with, and to write more letters to, my friends). I’m grateful for an amazing family and partner, friends (old and new) and support network. I’m grateful my companion animal, Buddy, is having a great time at his new home with my partner’s parents. And I’m grateful for all the heroes of the world (again, old and new) that are drawing a line in the sand and saying “Here and no further.”