I have come to find that in recent years, people have been shying away from doing or saying things that may be considered offensive to other people. In some ways, I understand the desire for as little confrontation as possible. But if you're tailoring yourself so much to fit other people's needs that you're losing the essence of who you are, there's a problem.

Do not apologize for standing your ground. You should be one of your priorities and you should not be scared to live like you are. Stand strong in your beliefs and don't apologize to anyone who feels differently. You have every right to defend your convictions.

Do not apologize for having an illness. Whether it's a disease process or mental illness, that isn't anything you should be sorry for having. Even if you need accommodations to survive your daily life, don't act like you are a burden on other people for simply being born a certain way. The way your body and mind works is nobody else's business.

Do not apologize for being religious. Whatever it is you believe in, shout it from the rooftops. Faith and spirituality are essential parts of living in this world and it is not up to anyone else to decide what and who you are allowed to believe in. The leader of your heart is of no concern to the people around you.

Do not apologize for being quirky. Just because they don't get your jokes or understand why you do certain things, doesn't mean you need to change who you are. Be weird. Laugh at inappropriate things and embrace the judgement. Don't let other people stifle your creativity and imagination.

Do not apologize for respecting yourself. If someone is taking flirting a little too far, put your foot down. Don't feel like a prude or a loser for putting your self-respect before their desires. In any situation, hold tight to your dignity and defend it relentlessly.

Do not apologize for loving your country, regardless of the state it may be in. It doesn't matter whose side you were on this past November. If you feel pride and respect for your country and its leaders despite the events all over the globe, show that. Don't be afraid to go against what you may think is the popular belief.

Unless you have outwardly done something wrong to harm someone, do not apologize. Live your life the way you want to live it and don't let anyone or anything get in the way of that. Stand firm in the things that make you who you are. One of my favorite quotes by a brilliant man named Dr. Seuss says, "Those who matter don't mind and those who mind don't matter."