This I believe

“Who do you think you are? You're nothing! You're nobody!”

This demand and its immediate damning response built my negative self-esteem. Growing up, I didn't have a positive, uplifting parent who would support my every wild dream; instead, I had an overbearing father for whom nothing less than perfection was good enough. The negative self-image that this created weakened me as a person. I went to college at the University of Florida on a scholarship, but that wasn't good enough. I couldn't keep up with classes, partied hard with false friends, and ultimately flunked out. I had to crawl back home to Mom and Domineering Dad.

As an adult, though, I was able to stretch my mind and realize that my attitude was something I could control. I didn't have to believe I was nothing or nobody. I could have faith in myself and push forward with anything I wanted to do. When I changed my attitude, my life greatly improved. While working a full-time job, I enrolled in community college and earned an AA degree. I got straight A's there. Five years later, I enrolled at FAU to complete my BA; my FAU GPA was a 3.6. I never received less than a B in an undergraduate course: I believed in my ability to do well, and do well I did.

This positive attitude also helped me when my cardiologist told me that my heart condition wouldn't kill me, but my obesity would. I joined Weight Watchers and spent 2 ½ years painstakingly losing 75 pounds. When negativity consumed me, I gained weight back; the positive attitude helped me lose.

Success depends on many things; a positive attitude is a firm foundation for it. This I believe – if you trust in your ability, success is inevitable.