There are many people in this world that don't see performing, or any type of art, as a "real" career. They find it foolish to even think about going into a career in the arts because they assume that you're going to be broke and struggling all of your life. All they see is constant heartbreak, zero stability, and a dead-end future. Basically, if you go into a career in the arts, you are destined to fail.

I get asked all kinds of questions about my career choice.

"So, what are you going to do with that right out of college?"

"What is your back-up plan in case it doesn't work out?"

"You'll need a job other than just performing. You know, so you can make money"

"Oh! So you want to eventually teach, right?"

Or, my personal favorite:

"When are we going to see you on American Idol?!"

NEVER. THE ANSWER IS NEVER.

I've gotten the disapproving looks, the "Oh yeah...good look with that" nods, and I've had people tell me that my decision is "downright stupid, and you should really consider going into nursing instead."

And the sad part is, I almost let that negativity influence me. I almost went to nursing school. I almost gave up my dream entirely because everyone else seemed to be so scared for me.

But, honestly, I'm not scared.

I refuse to be scared of something that I love with my whole heart; something that has been my passion since I can remember.

I refuse to let the "what ifs" scare me away from the thing that makes me who I am.

I refuse to let anyone deter me from pursuing my dreams.

I refuse to do anything less than embrace everything about my career choice, good and bad.

I'm not saying that the "whats ifs" don't cross my mind because they do. Sometimes I spend my days laying in my bed and worrying about how I will support myself after college. I worry about how I will balance having a job to pay the bills and having time to audition and go after what I am so passionate about.

But none of that scares me away. I understand how hard it is to "make it." I never said I believed it was easy. Trust me, I am reminded everyday that it's one of the hardest careers out there. But I do believe that I will be successful at whatever I set out to do.

I will be brave.

I will be fierce.

I will be ambitious.

I will shine.

Fear, my own or anyone else's, will not stand in the way of my dreams. I trust my drive and determination to keep me strong, my talent to get me somewhere, and my sheer love of performing to guide me along the path.

I don't care if I have to struggle for years before I finally get somewhere. There is nothing else I would rather struggle for.