My 1987 Ralph Waldo Emerson Yearbook Quote Took Years for me to Follow

It’s about the power unleashed by embracing the true you.

First off, where did all the hair go?! I’ve been bald as a cue ball for 25 years. Actually, a cue ball with a little fuzz on the side. On the bright side, I spend a total of an hour, and $0, per year on hair care (my wife shears what little fuzz that does grow every six weeks or so. Takes five minutes.).

Now on to the great Ralph Waldo Emerson. As a 22-year-old senior at Princeton University, this is the quote I chose for my yearbook page:

“Absolve you to yourself and you shall have the suffrage of the world.”

It obviously meant a lot to me then, but all these years later it means far more.

Emerson’s mid-19th century prose can be hard to understand. So here’s my rewrite using modern language:

“Dedicate yourself to being the real, authentic you and you will live a thriving life.”

By ‘live a thriving life’ I don’t mean that you will become President of the United States or the richest person on the planet — although that could very well happen should you chart this path. I mean that you will be energized, enthusiastic and content.