For anyone who’s ever struggled with being different and being denied their goals and dreams for not conforming with the norm, Miss Mela Habijan’s message for you is: “No matter how the world sees us, being different is a gift, and even if the world keeps saying no to us, we need to keep saying yes to ourselves.” You, too, can use whatever makes you different to transform your life and make it flourish and shine—whatever your gender identity, sexual orientation, life choices, race, shape, size, or economic status.