To those who have rained on my parade,

No. I will not give up. I will not stop doing what I love and reaching for the stars.

No. I will not let you tear me down and play with my emotions.

No. You can't just come into my life and say I can't do this; it's my life not yours.

Yes. I will get back up and work harder than I ever had.

Yes. As a certain song says, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger," and I can stand by that and say that is true.

Yes. You have hurt me, and I have believed that I wasn't good enough, but now I know that:

You. Are. Wrong.

I know that what I love to do is hard and challenging, and I appreciate that this business is risky and unstable. I understand that being a performer isn't for everyone. I understand that it's hard to make it out there. But I am up for the challenge, and I will fight for it. Your words push me down and break me, but I will come back stronger than before and ready to fight again. You can't make it in this world, especially the one I want to be in, without determination.

So ultimately that is why all I can do is thank you. Thank you for making me stronger. Thank you for giving me the determination I will need for the future. Thank you for making me reevaluate myself to make sure I was ready for the battles ahead. I can't be mad at you for that.

Wow. Looking back, you've done quite a number on me, but I had never realized until now that you are preparing me for this. You were preparing me for the worst and toughest battle of all. And you know what? I am going to go out there full force and give it all I have. I won't stop for anyone or anything. I have a dream, and I can make it a reality thanks to you.

I may be a dreamer, but the ones who dream big are bound to go somewhere.

Sincerely,

Me