The man who says he can and the man that says he cannot… are both correct.        – Confucius 

  One day a long time ago, I was standing at the barre in my ballet class. My teacher looked down at my feet, re-arranged my leg into exact position, and said the words, “you have a lot of potential.” I will never forget this moment that someone else had believed in me, and that there might be something more that could come from me and my abilities.

 Then, I had no idea that I would also one day become a Dance Instructor, and devote my entire life to Ballroom dancing. My mother had started me in ballet classes because of how much energy I had, not knowing that it would change my life forever. But that is what dance does to a person, and that is what any dream does to a person, it changes them forever.

  Allow me to be very blunt and honest with you. I have been told that I cannot make a living dancing; I have been told that I am not a good dancer; I have been continuously underestimated and looked down upon to some. I am by no means where I would like to end up, and that’s okay, I’d like to spend my life getting there. But I refuse to believe any of these things that I have been told, and if you or anyone you know have ever been told these things, do not believe them. I am here to remind you that you are the one who has the power to reach your full potential and live to the capacity that you were meant to.  You see the only way that they are correct is if you believe that they are, because then you will stop at the point in which you believe you are capable of.

  You will fail many times, but do not give up until you find something that works. This is the meaning of true courage, to be willing to fail. The only true failure is to quit at something that you know lives inside your heart. Only you know what you are capable of, you can personally feel the depths of your passion more than anyone else can, so don’t believe them if they try to tell you that you’re not capable. Personally, I would love to see you succeed, the world would benefit from what you can offer. I dare you to get uncomfortable, only then will you truly be happy, the truth is we’re not happy being comfortable, were just, well. Comfortable…now get up, look yourself in the mirror and say the words, “I believe in you,” because it doesn’t matter if anyone else does. Don’t be afraid to let the world break you into a million pieces, simply pick the pieces back up and create something even better.

By: Brianna Michelle McEowen