In 2014, Graham Moore won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for Imitation Game. After expressing his gratitude to all who helped get him there and Oprah, he said:

“Here’s the thing, Alan Turing never got to stand on a stage like this and look out on all these disconcertingly attractive faces. And I do. And that’s the most unfair thing I think I’ve ever heard. And so in this brief time here what I want to use it to do is to say this. When I was 16 years old I tried to kill myself, because I felt weird, and I felt different, and I felt like I did not belong. And now I’m standing here. And so I would like for this moment to be for that kid out there who feels like she’s weird or she’s different or she doesn’t fit in anywhere: Yes you do. I promise you do. Stay weird, stay different, and then when it’s your turn, and you are the one standing on this stage, please pass this message on.”

If you feel weird and different, just know that it truly does get better. Life isn’t supposed to be perfect. You aren’t supposed to be perfect. Have faith in yourself even when no one else does. Remember that it’s better to be rejected for being who you are than to be accepted for someone you’re not. The only person who has to accept you, is yourself. When you follow your heart and live your most authentic life, you are becoming who you are meant to become: your best self. When you practice self-acceptance and grow into your best self, you let the world know that it’s okay for them to do the same. You belong here, in this world, so I just want to thank you for being alive. If you feel my gratitude, share this message with someone whom you love.