Billy offers words of encouragement for anyone who ever experienced insecurity in their lives.		December 1, 2003 American Salon
	I have struggled with insecurity throughout my entire life. It starts when we are children and continues until the day we die. It can be "fed" by our own unique situations and can take hold of anyone: the fat or skinny, the old or young, men or women, the beautiful or plain, the successful or unsuccessful. Since the new year is just around the corner-the time when many of us make our resolutions to become better people-I'd like to share some stories of those who embraced their challenges and insecurities and succeeded in spite of them. My story is this: I felt like my father was never proud of me because of the way I was and the things I was interested in. At times while growing up, I made choices I wouldn't normally have made in order to please him. My course of action failed every time, however, because I was living my life for him rather than being who I truly was. Eventually, I left home and moved to New York City, where I could reinvent myself and thrive at being my true self. Unfortunately, my father passed away before I became successful. And, although it was a struggle during those earlier years, I think my drive and eventual success came partially from trying to prove myself to my father. As I speak with others, I find that they, too, have turned around their insecurities to become stronger adults. I have a client whom I consider to be one of the most beautiful women in the world. Attractive and very talented from a young age, she is now a singer, an actress, and a model with a major beauty contract. As a child she had a hard time making friends. Children (especially other girls) were always mean to her because of her exceptional talent and beauty. Because of this rejection, she strove for acceptance by playing down these attributes. I believe her childhood experiences helped make her stronger. And, as an adult, she will go down in history as one of America's icons. As another example, my friend Catherine Lippencott was always "well rounded"-she was a chubby infant and child. Her family always told her she had to be thin. They sent her to a "fat camp" every summer and even said that no one would love her unless she was skinny. Eventually, she grew up to become a plus-size model, the published author of Well Rounded, a book about her experience, and the head of publicity of Lane Bryant. Catherine embraced her size and used the experiences of her life to be very happy and successful. These stories all show that what's most important is self-acceptance. I think that our journey in life is to be the best we can be while making the most of what God has blessed us with. Insecurity needs to be managed and embraced. Don't let it take control of you. I wish all of you Happy Holidays and a healthy, prosperous New Year. And, of course, a secure one.