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You are the captain of your own ship. It’s hard to hear, even harder to grasp for some.

I have steered my mighty vessel through shark infested waters. I’ve almost lost my way when I heard the gentle serenades of sirens.

Many storms, my ship has gone through. All times, pieces of my work chipped away to feed as lesser meant beings purposefully, though they only felt that way through years of self hatred.

I finally made it to dry land, almost missing the voyage I had been on. It came with a sturdy realization.

The part that I wanted the most out of my work being present was popularity, influence and recognition. When I comment, share a post or even speak – others flock to me. I recently added someone on their own personal mission and it was an immediate follow back.

I am not bragging, I am in shock. I have made it to where I’ve wanted to be and didn’t realize it. Life is hard, and has had its way with me, as have other people. My determination to thrive kept me going. I learned my lessons for the time being, as I am sure there is more to come.

But I am ever so grateful for my successes. 24k reads for The Fray, millions of views for my music, and tens of thousands of plays for streaming apps. How can I sit back and not value all that I have done? What do we get caught up in that makes such accomplishments seem like nothing?

Other people’s fear and ego. Other people’s twisted perceptions of success. The lie.

And here’s the truth. You determine your greatness, and no one else. You poured your heart and soul into your work. You spent countless nights wishing you’d made a different choice. You spent the money, and constructed the plan. You sacrificed and too the brunt ofthe assault of online misery and baseless verbal attacks to reach a higher vantage point. You wore yourself thin reaching that invisible summit.

No one is allowed to tell you what success looks like. No amount of money or accolades from supposedly important people can shift the truth of your accomplishments.

I say this to myself and others.

You have already done great things.