Day 13: Biggest Fan
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great. – Mark Twain.
Who believes in you, even when you don’t believe in yourself? How would they describe you? How do they pour life and encouragement into you? See yourself through their eyes.
[Tweet “Their actions show that I should take my dreams and potential as seriously as they do”]
I’m fortunate enough to gain some of the most genuine supporters a dreamer could potentially have. It’s weird, because they really do ‘have my back’ when it comes to the things I want for myself. They go above and beyond to aid me in anyway possible. My supporters consist of friends, family, and even a few strangers, but the ones that I know will never waver are:
My mother and Aunty Tai: Sometimes I can feel them worrying that I am dreaming too big, that I’ve bitten off more than I can chew. It’s as though they want to shield me from the disappointment of a failed execution also. But with every post I put out, they read it. Check my Facebook, my mother has liked every single post, no matter how uncomfortable it may have been for her to read it. All my upcoming projects and ideas are well received. If I want it, they want it for me. It’s pretty much automatic.
Deli & Dee: I’m sure people will argue that this is typical of a best-friend, but they go above and beyond. I’m talking call your phone back to back, hop on the Metro-North, “I’ll transfer you the money” kind of support. Not to mention any crazy idea, and I mean the illegal ones too (I kid, kind of), their response is always, “okay, we can figure this out.” They’re the keepers of my goals list and probably do not even know it. Most of my ideas are fleshed out in our group chat where they will both throw ideas out to match my own… on their lunch breaks from their 9-5. In some cases, they believe in my projects more than I do, and quitting is never an option. It’s completely & utterly unconditional.
Maki: “Why aren’t you doing this?” / “If they can do this, you can do it better.” / “Have you finished [ task ] yet?” – These are all common questions I receive weekly. It’s not just supporting whatever it is that I do, talking me out or irrational acts, or sending me inspiration, it’s that “Hey, dream bigger” kind of motivation. It’s that constant reminder of, “Yes, this is going to be hard. It’s going to suck. But it can be done if you really want it.” It’s the okay to dream big, something most people my age find fear in.
I’m not quite sure exactly how they see me… but their actions show that I should take my dreams and potential as seriously as they do. They show me every day that my potential, my gifts, and my being is one of a kind. I think that’s the biggest takeaway here.
