To whomever fits this category,
You could be anyone. A mean girl from high school who thought I was ugly, a teacher/professor who didn't believe I could do better, or even an old friend who would tear me down and away from so many different opportunities. But no matter who you are, you are someone who made a huge mistake: not believing that I would accomplish whatever I wanted to do.
I am writing this letter as someone who is in their last semester at Wake Forest University, so I haven't gone on to do everything I have planned to do, but I have the tools at my disposal. I have an arsenal of skills and knowledge that I should actually thank you for.
Since you doubted me, I learned that I don't need the approval of every person that I interact with. Sometimes people won't support my decisions, and I learned that at a young age. I also learned that the people who are worth listening to will usually push me for greatness and to keep trying new things without hesitation. Trying to prevent me from doing something because you were afraid of what I could do was a huge mistake on your part.
You taught me that I have something in me that others feel/felt the need to suppress. This actually was a huge complement for me. You taught me that I have something inside me that others are afraid of. Because of you, I now know that I have always had this force driving me to do things beyond the status quo.
I have learned that those who matter, those worth listening to, are always going to push me forward instead of holding me back. You tried to make it near impossible for me to see myself going anywhere, but that just showed me those who love me and care about me push me to do better. I now have my established "fan base" of friends and family.
Lastly, you taught me that I should really thank you. Not for making my life hell, but for giving me the opportunity to learn these life lessons. You are the reason I have thick skin, you are the reason I have so much ambition, you are the reason I don't have more people like you to intoxicate my life. Because I now have the ability to see people like you from a mile away.
Overall, you people have taught me a lot, but I refuse to truly thank you. I want others who read this to learn in a way that doesn't require the hurt I felt. It wasn't like you all were random people; you were some of my favorite people. But, nevertheless, thank you for the lessons.
Sincerely,
Maggie
P.S. When I am off running a newsroom, going to law school, or whatever I decide to do... Don't come snooping around. You'll just be wasting your time.
