As a disclaimer, I want to say that the following article is not a rant-I repeat-this is not a rant! In the article below is simply a perspective and two cents on a life experience that I have had multiple times. So…let’s talk about negative people/haters. Yes, I said it. You know, the people who try to bring you down and destroy your dreams. The ones who tell you that you aren’t going to make it. The ones who don’t want to see you pursue your dreams because they didn’t have the courage to pursue theirs. The ones who talk the most about you, yet don’t even really know you. Let’s talk about them for a minute.

I saw a quote on Google from the ever-wonderful Cicely Tyson. She said, “The moment anyone tries to demean or degrade you in any way, you have to know how great you are. Nobody would bother to beat you down if you were not a threat.” Well, preach on, Mrs. Tyson!!! When I first read that quote, I didn’t fully understand what she meant until someone said a phrase to me that I will never forget. That person said, “I don’t think you’re going to make it.” They said this in reference to my pursuits of being an entertainment reporter. I will admit, I let it tear me up inside for a while. For a moment, I thought that person was right. I thought that maybe that person was speaking truth into my life and I just couldn’t accept it. That person was not speaking the truth. Then, it hit me one day: that person was not only wrong, but probably unhappy.

Here is why that person was wrong: I have always loved to write, ever since I was a little girl. I used to write songs and poems that probably didn’t make any sense. I worked hard on my handwriting skills. I worked hard at trying to slow my speaking pace down (I am a natural at talking really fast sometimes!). I did voice and diction exercises every day. I made sure I did my homework, not only on awesome celebrities, but on other news as well. I have always loved being able to tell the story. Honestly, when I thought about all the things I have worked hard at in order to make my writing and storytelling better, I wonder why I ever believed that statement.

I have some advice for you, awesome readers: In the words of Justin Timberlake "Your critics do not count; their words will fade…you won’t.” Please do not let other people’s negativity have power over you. Taylor Swift told you the haters are going to hate and she was right. Don’t get me wrong: I know it’s hard to shake it off sometimes. Yet, like the quote says above, you have to know how great you already are. You are great!! Whether you want to be an actor, artist, entertainment journalist, doctor, lawyer, or nurse, you are great! You are not responsible for other people’s happiness; that is their responsibility.

Now, I am still trying to figure it out myself, but I am taking it day by day. I just truly realized that I should invest in the people who truly support me and know how hard I work. I realized that what God says about me is the ultimate truth. Look on the bright side, readers: Look at your haters as your motivators. Remember: when you make your dreams come true one day, look back at your haters and smile.