I don't know why you belittle me, but you do.

Maybe you really don't think I can do it. Maybe you're trying to save me from embarrassment and failure. Maybe you're jealous that I'm actually going after my dreams. Maybe you're still bitter that someone told you when you were young and full of dreams that you couldn't do it.

Well, person-who-doesnt-support-or-want-the-best-for-me, I've got news for you: because of you, I'm going to get what I want. I'm going to push myself harder than ever before. I'm going to prove you wrong.

I will not take no for an answer. I will keep sending my portfolio in until I get signed. I will keep submitting my script until a producer picks it up. I will keep trying until 'tried' becomes 'did.'

I won't let myself get lazy or feel unmotivated. Just because something isn't happening right now, does not mean I should give up or weaken my attempts.

Because of you, I have learned to keep going. I have learned that in order to get exactly what I want, I must fight for it. I must demand to be heard, seen and met with.

Because of you, I am learning to believe in myself. In no one else in this goddamn world is going to, I must be the one to do it.

Because of you, I am challenging myself everyday to get what I want.

Sure, I might not be America's Next Top Model. I might not be the next best Chef in New York. I might not be the next Serena Williams, but you know who I definitely won't be? A quitter. I won't be someone who gave up when the going got tough. I won't be someone who stopped trying because they were told "no" too many times.

I will be me, and I will be successful.

So, really, thank you.

Thank you for telling me I can't do it.Thank you for telling me that I'm wasting my time. Thank you for kicking me when I'm already down, and telling me to stay down. Thank you for not having an ounce of faith in me.

But most importantly, thank you for pushing me to do my best.

Thank you for letting me become the best version of myself. The version who gets shit done, the version of me who has goals, and a plan to get there.

Without you, I definitely couldn't be doing what I'm doing. Without you, I wouldn't have the motivation to chase my dreams and prove you, and everyone else who doubts me, wrong.