it isn't much, but at least it's mine

I don't have much time for a formal post at this moment, but I need to air this somewhere... you know I've had a lot of people ask me about going back to school at what I want to do and what my plans are and blah blah blah. and I've found that, now that I have determined what I want to do and what I see myself being happy and successful at, that when I answer the reactions I get are just..... they are much more reflective of the person asking the question than what they actually think of me.

My initial (and always stifled) reaction is to say something to them about how they don't seem to care much about my happiness or put faith in my belief in myself. I know what kind of road being an artist will take me down. I know that I won't make millions of dollars selling jewelry unless something catches on really big somehow, but that doesn't mean that I'm not allowed to find the greatest way possible to live my dream, to go into territory that will terrify and exilarate me. I know I'm good at what I do now, but I don't love what I do now. And I don't want to be doing it in ten or twenty years. It's not about making these doubters happy, it's not about being practical, it's about making myself happy and seeing my life as something that I GET TO LIVE on MY TERMS. I'm not sitting around waiting for things to happen anymore, that has obviously gotten me nowhere. I'm closing my eyes, taking a running start, and jumping with all my strength. and I'm terrified. But it's a good type of terrified. and it's a great thing to know about myself, that I've reached the point where no one else can tell me how to be happy. If you love me, set me free. Maybe when my jewelry is selling for hundreds of dollars a piece I'll send you free pair of earrings.