Because I have something to prove.

Something occurred to me tonight.

I was sitting here pondering why I'm here at Malone, if I'm even cut out for this kind of academia, if I should be doing something else with my life, etc.

And something came to mind, something that I have forgotten for quite a while...

I am so much stronger than all this "woah is me" shit.

I am an intelligent, adaptive, creative, independent individual.

Sure, I've been through a hell of a lot. It's helped shape me and my perspective.

What I am trying to say in this soap box blog tonight is that

I am not ever going to give up.

There are going to be rough patches on my journey, but I am going to meet them head on and with a can-do positive attitude. There are many times when I really don't feel like being 100%, times that I am depressed, times when I am severely apathetic. However, I am taking a stand right here and now and saying that those thoughts and that mindset are not going to rule me/my life anymore. They have for far too long, and now I am taking control once more.

This new/old attitude does not only apply to my academics, but in all areas of my life. I want to genuinely back up my words with actions.

And now with all due respect...to all of those who continuously try to make me feel like I'm making a mistake, that I'm not good enough to be doing what I'm doing, and that I have to settle for less than what I want/can have:

SHOVE IT.

As I had said before coming back for this semester, "I have a lot to prove to a lot of people."

And I intend to do just that.