An Open Letter To Doubt

Dear Doubt,

We always meet when I'm in a bind, on the brink, or wondering what to do next. You enter in my mind, and thoughts whenever I need to make a decision, and it will impact me for the longest time. You always have company that comes along, that person's name is Fear. You both love to play games with my mind, and make me feel incapable of what I need to do next.

I first met you when I rode my bike. You were there with Fear, as my parents taught me to keep going as they let go of me and let me pedal by myself, scared of what would happen if I did not have them by my side. Then as I got older, I realized that you met me again when I wanted to be a college cheerleader. For someone who had never cheered before, I was so nervous about tumbling. I realized that for me to not stay stagnant, I needed to get progressively better in my skills.

You told me that I couldn't get better, and your friend Fear was there the entire time. For the longest time, I felt as though I was not going to get a Full Twisting Layout. Doubt, you made me doubt myself, and even God. For over a year I stayed stagnant, complacent, and not wanting to move. Then I proved you wrong. I proved you and your friend fear wrong, and conquered the impossible with cheerleading, college, and even my future.

I got so much better in cheerleading that I even surpassed my own dreams of tumbling. Proving you and your friend Doubt wrong. Competing for a National Title at NCA College Nationals. Placed third at the competition with my teammates, and showed you and fear that you cannot overcome me, even in my darkest hour.

I proved to you that despite a rough start to my college career, I am not my mistakes of my past. I proved you wrong that just because of what the world may think of my people I can graduate from a phenomenal university in four years, and leave my mark on a place that left an even greater mark on me.

I proved you and Fear wrong again by telling you that I CAN continue my education at an even GREATER school like Stetson University. Where I will continue my studies, make great connections, and have a great support system of coworkers, colleagues, friends, and an awesome atmosphere. I will become an even better person leaving home, getting out of my comfort zone, and learning more than I ever would if I would have stayed complacent.

I'm sure this won't be the last time that we meet, and that we will always see each other until I depart this world. I will say that you are not my decision maker, my determining factor, or my say all end all. You are nothing more than a trick to steer me away from what's most important in my life. You may have won some battles with me, but you will never win the war. Believe me. With my friends, family, coworkers, and God you can beat me.

Sincerely,

A True Fighter