The saddest part is they may never reach the place where they feel able to pursue their 'true' life, the life they yearn for. I say this as someone who didn't 'get it' until I turned 50. Maybe it's because, at 50, I realized, truly FELT this truth - I didn't have forever and there are no guarantees. Best to go for it rather than be regretful on my death bed.

And you are so right: it does take courage to buck society, your friends, and family. So much courage. And the willingness to know there will be dark moments of doubt, but to also realize doubt comes with the territory and to move forward despite it