Editor’s Note: Iona Yeung of Pretty Pickles dedicates this poem to the naysayers who drove her to achieve the very thing they said she couldn’t.

Naysayers appear in all faucets of your life. When I was younger, I hated them. With their doubt and negativity, they instilled a fear of failure in me that was as intense as my pigeon phobia (which is pretty severe).

Back in 2009, a friend and I set out to Australia for the first time. With no job or home lined up, friends and family worried we ‘wouldn’t make it’. Skype calls were routine questions like ‘Haven’t you given it your all yet?’ or ‘Why don’t you try to get your old job back in Canada?’. I’d only been in Sydney for 3 months and without a job, they saw my move to Australia as a failed attempt. I was, however, determined to make this country my permanent home. For the next two months, I tried even harder to land full time work. In March 2010, I did.

With their doubts, the naysayers in my life inspired me to do what they thought impossible.

I love them for it.

Dear Naysayers,

How much do I love thee? Let me count the ways
I love thee for doubting the intensity of my drive
It drove me to a breaking point of no return

I love thee for throwing daggers of negativity my way
Underestimate my limits, shut me down
You showed me that failure was not an option

I love thee for trying to box me in my comfort zone
A tireless dreamer with dreams incomplete
It pushed me to prove you wrong

I love thee freely – without you I would not succeed.
I love thee purely – no fine print needed.

I love thee with the passion you’ve ignited in me.

Related articles

• Blonde Ambition: The Tragedy And Triumph Of Rhondalynn Korolak
• The 7 Myths About Women and Work
• 7 Common Credit Card Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
• Why We Need To Teach Our Children To Be Makers