As I drove to the Portland airport last week I was listening to a podcast and this quote by Martin Luther King Jr. echoed over the sound waves. “In the end were will not remember the words of our enemies and silence.” This quote stuck out to me and I wrote it down as on not to forget. I had not known it at the time but this quote would ring true and be the sentiment of our creative week. The advertising community is all about speaking what is on your mind. This is something that I will continue to always strive to work at. However, there is a big difference between adding to the conversation and an incessant need to be heard. It is important to realize where you stand and how you can grow as both a communicator and as a human as these are skills that will continue to be essential as we enter into the ambiguity of our careers. The act of speaking my mind is something I still struggle with on a daily basis. The little voice in my head telling me, “It doesn’t matter.” or “There is always next time.” But I look to this quote and remember that in order to do something substantial in life, you need to step out of your comfort zone and be heard. So thank you for this lesson, to my fellow friends and professors of this week.

-Key Higdon