When I was 16 years old, I started a journal dedicated to all the people I met. I did this for two reasons one, to remember all the people who’ve altered my life in some way or another, and two, to document how relationships change over time. Years past, friendships ended, others blossom. Some drifted away. And through this entire process, I learned this.

One of the biggest privileges we will ever have in life is to witness someone becoming. To watch them change and grow. The pessimists will say people are bad. People are greedy. People will disappoint you. And maybe they’re not wrong to some extent. We are flawed, imperfect, unreliable, messy, and everything in between. But for some reason, everything that truly matters involves other people.

Real change, real connection, real relationships involve other people. People will make mistakes again and again and again, but they will surprise you. And just because it’s easier to say humanity is doomed because of it is a lazy way to think of it. If anything, I have more hope because of the people I’ve met. Business owners. Starting a company to help people.

Artists. Filmmakers. Founders who are all trying to make this place a little bit better. I think we’re all just trying to be better people, better humans, better moms and dads, friends and coworkers.

Maybe that doesn’t sound big in any way, but I believe when people change for the better, the world changes as a consequence.