Thank You: To All Of You Who Didn't Believe In Me

Act #282:  Turn negativity into motivation.

To the following people, I mean this from the bottom of my heart: thank you for never believing in me, or for trying to convince me not to believe in myself.  Your deep influences have helped shaped the very core of who I've become.  Because of your collective power, I've finally discovered my own. 

The girl who pushed me down just as I was about to pass the finish line at the kindergarten sack race.  I've finally let go of the bike I thought I should have won that day.

All of you that, day-in, day-out, all through elementary school, who tried to tell me how black and ugly my skin was.  I've finally learned to not only accept it, but to genuinely love it.

That guy in tenth grade, who started taunting and mimicking Chinese sounds when I walked into Science class.  I may have dropped my book bag and ran away embarrassed that day, but today your words probably wouldn't hurt me at all.

That professor who called me a dreamer for wanting to save the world.  You should dream more too.

That alum who recommended my termination to the president for not representing the best interests of people "like him".  I hope you came to realize that in fact I always did.

That supervisor who gave me only one choice to stand up for my beliefs....to walk away.  I'm so grateful that I did.

The colleague who told everyone that there's no way in hell someone like me could run this non-profit. I guess we'll see about that.

Thank you.