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Omar Sharif Jr. On Deflecting The Haters: "Focus On The Conversations In Your Heart"

When challenges come your way, heed the actor-activist's positive approach.

This letter is part of our inaugural editorial series, "Letter to Myself," in which we asked 40 remarkable queer people to write a note to their younger selves.

Take a deep breath.

Don't be afraid and don't get angry.

You can’t control how others treat you. You can only control your own actions.

Use them to do good, to be good, and to bring good to others. That's the path to true internal happiness.

Turn their hate into hope, their torment into testaments of your strength, and let the lesions morph into lessons.

Learn from their lows and then always go high.

Don't pay attention to the conversations happening around you. Focus on the conversations in your heart and in your head.

Continue to dream big, to dream bold, and to believe in the impossible—because everything is possible.

And wherever you are, know that there is a community out there that loves you and supports you.

You are not alone.

Just breathe.

Omar Sharif Jr. an ambassador at the Human Rights Foundation.

Read more letters here.

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