I was driving to Panera this morning to get a coffee, do a little bit of writing, and it sort of occurred to me that this is something that I feel like needs to be addressed that I really want to talk about.

For a couple reasons. One, because it's everywhere in mainstream culture. It's so prevalent now on social

media, particularly, but also outside of social media. And also, it's something that I wish I knew

when I was 18 or 19. It's something that I think we all have to learn. And I think the sooner we learn it, the better.

So I grew up with an incredible family that loved me, and they still do, and care about me.

And I went into the world with somewhat of a sense of entitlement, right?

I always felt like I was special, like, like I deserved something.

And it wasn't until after college. So, I mean, this is my early

20s that life slapped me in the face. Where I had this, this awakening, this idea, that where you went to school meant nothing.

What you were told or what you've done in the past means nothing.

I stepped into the real world where the playing field was even.

I stepped into the world of meritocracy, where what you have around you is directly correlated to the value you provide society. And that hurt.

Right? The first time I experienced that, I spent, you know, even the job I took right after

school, right? It was called the future leaders program where, you know,

you're sort of treated in a way where the expectation is you're going to do big things in the

company, right? It's like there's a management track lined up. There was always this sense of

entitlement, right? And then I leave that world and I create,

I wanted to make music. And I spent three months making this album. Mediocre at best, right?

It's not, it's not, uh, it's not going to win a Grammy. How could it? It was the first thing

I'd ever made, right?

But I remember just the feeling of completion,

of satisfaction, finishing this thing,

...