To my haters, look at me now...

For years, I carried the weight of my haters words. The whispers, the thinly veiled skepticism, the outright belief that I was destined for failure…was eagerly projected onto my life. Maybe it was my personality, my background, or simply their own insecurities. Whatever the reason, the message was clear to me: they didn't think that I would amount to much.

And for a while, those words stung. There were moments, I won't lie, when their predictions felt like a self-fulfilling prophecy waiting to happen. The pressure was immense, the feeling of being constantly judged and underestimated was heavy.

Deep down, a spark of defiance ignited though. A quiet voice whispered, "Prove them wrong." It wasn't about seeking their approval anymore; it became about proving something to myself.

So, I started to build. Brick by brick, I began building a life that was the opposite of their predictions.

First came the college degree. Late nights fueled by cheap liquor and a burning desire to learn. It culminated into walking across that stage, diploma in hand. It wasn't just a piece of paper; it was a tangible symbol of my commitment and a resounding “I told you so” to the haters.

Then came the MBA. That advanced degree wasn't just about career advancement; it was about equipping myself with the tools to build something meaningful.

And speaking of building, I became an engineer. The logic, the problem-solving, the tangible creation – it resonated with me deeply.

Life outside of my professional career flourished too. For 24 years, I shared my life with DT, building a home and a history filled with love and shared experiences. That long-term commitment, that deep connection, was another testament to my ability to build and nurture something lasting.

And now? Now, I own my own business. The culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and a refusal to be defined by the limitations others tried to impose on me. It's a testament to the fact that their vision of my future was completely wrong.

Looking back, I don't harbor resentment towards those who hated on me. In a strange way, their negativity fueled my fire. It became the external pressure that pushed me to strive harder, to prove them wrong not out of spite, but out of a deep-seated desire to realize my own potential.

This isn't a boast; it's a testament. It's a message to anyone who has ever been told they wouldn't amount to anything, to anyone who feels the weight of others' low expectations. Your journey is yours alone. Your haters opinions are just that – opinions. They don't define your capabilities or your future.

Use their doubt as fuel. Let their negativity be the catalyst for your ambition. Build your own life, on your own terms. And when you reach those milestones, when you achieve what your haters said was impossible, remember their words. Not with anger, but with the quiet satisfaction of knowing: Ah ha - I did it anyway 😝

So, to those who thought I would fail? Take a good look. This is what defying expectations looks like. And trust me, it feels pretty damn good too😘