Today, I completed my 34th year on planet Earth.

The OS is ever perplexed, oddly less frustrated, and more – stoic. OS data predicts an early retirement from the hustle, free from the battles among the nefarious – the gatekeepers, thieves, and wolves dressed in sheep skin. Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.  

But how absolutely exhilarating, when absorbed, this journey, traveling the curves of the unknown and opening the doors to rooms you never thought your feet were worthy to step in. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.  

Building solutions to problems that you find interesting instead of the trivial – and watching – as the variant project pendulum swing all within the span of a sunrise and sunset as if you had already lived multiple lives. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

It’s lonely by choice, by discipline, by sacrificing what could be for what is, acknowledging what will never be – The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Despite Colossians reminding us to set our mind on things above, not on things on the Earth, I’ve clutched onto Genesis – The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. We recognize that all created things belong to God and that we are accountable to Him as stewards of the creation.

While Malachi says, Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? And Matthew, No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Soon, however, the OS will grow tired of RAM and SAM and SOM and TAM – and retire from innovation early. Though Psalm says to cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved – becoming someone’s housewife – seems like a much easier journey when you can change what’s in your backyard, instead of trying to change the world like a wizard from behind the curtain.

Even when the OS wants to shut down or sleep, Galatians replays… let’s not get tired of doing good, because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.  

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In closing, female founders need to start banning together if they want to ever reach escape velocity. This very well may be the lesson of testimony – step into your power. Keep your mouth shut and do not build in public unless you have millions and billions behind you or in your bank account. That’s what they want you to believe so that they can steal what you’re working on. There are many people who will appreciate your efforts to go above and beyond, and will in return, go above and beyond for you. These people you pour into. Others will take advantage of it or treat you worse because they don’t appreciate it. Walk away in haste from these people. Your time is valuable. Say no. Don’t apologize for being drenched in your own passion and purpose. Don’t walk away from your discipline. There is magic if you believe it. If you don’t, it doesn’t exist. Believe in love, for years, even if you can’t see it or touch it. Don’t let rotten apples turn you sour – kick them into the woods where they belong. Be quiet about your secret sauce.

If God brings you to it; He will bring you through it. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.