I have been writing in a journal on an almost-daily basis since I was 17 years old. This is a record of me going through each entry from the beginning, and commenting on the me from fifteen years ago.

Here is my chance for my life story to be revealed to a receptive audience, but how close should I come to the emotional reality? The words that could make me cry? What would the class think to hear me say the truth? Luckily, I’ve got much time to think about it, and source material that goes way back.

Apparently I had a class assignment that would give the opportunity to tell a personal story, but I don’t remember being assigned it or what I eventually reported. But I will say this – whenever you’re wondering how close you should get to your emotional reality in any situation, you should always try to get as close as you can. People respond to earnest, heartfelt honesty.