A Letter to the Aspiring Artist & Writer:

Reaching for your dreams is never easy. Everything you wish to achieve will be through hard work and dedication. Nothing will ever be handed to you. Nothing can hold you back but yourself.

Yet, having ambition also requires a love intense enough to bear personal sacrifice and to keep on going, no matter what the odds. There will be both rough spots and easy clear-sailing. Even when you seem far from achieving all of your goals, remain positive and tell yourself you'll get there as long as you keep pushing ahead. Sometimes you'll fail miserably, but even where you seem to fail, you will learn and become stronger. Sometimes you'll find success, and it will serve to push you another step closer to your dreams. There are no absolutes, only experiences.

With enough passion, anything is possible. Don't fear to be a dreamer or a visionary. You can do anything. You just have to do it.

Don't ever let go of your dreams. Even when it seems like the tide is washing over you, stand firm and eventually it will recede. Learn from your mistakes. Grow from your trials. Hold the love and the passion for your work always in your heart, and you will someday persevere.

Rivkah 02/18/2005