Happy Taylor Day everyone! I know this is a fan blog so most of the stuff I post here is in support of Taylor and everything she does. I’ve started doing this thing in recent months where every 13th I post something extra special and insightful about Taylor on TSL and here on my blog. Today I’d like to dive into, once again, one of the many reasons why my connection with Taylor is so deep and why I’ll stand by her and her work until my last breath.
I don’t like to harp on this point as it’s not really my style, but it’s necessary here. Growing up with a disability isn't easy. Not only because of the practical implications but because of the social ridicule and the fact that everyone feels the need to remind you that you won’t be able to do anything with your life and that their expectations of your future are very small. Even my own family bought into that for a time which was rough. When I discovered Taylor in 2007 at age 13, I saw this person who was seen by a lot of industry people as “an underdog”. Someone who didn't fit their A&R formula for a hit song. “Country music doesn't need a little romantic white girl” they would say. Needless to say I’m sure any label idiot at RCA or what have you that may have said that or thought it is kicking themselves in the head right about now.
Taylor showed me that if you have a dream, care about it enough, always stay true to yourself and work hard that it CAN come true. Every time Taylor was slapped down by a label in her early teen years she would get back up and try again and NEVER stop trying. Taylor has always taught me to not let the labels and boxes that society tries to put us into limit you. You are your own person and no math equation or dictionary definition can tell you what you are or are not capable of. It sounds a bit cliché but she showed me and continues to show me that believing in who you are and what you do is the most powerful motivator that you can have. It doesn't have to be all the time. There are lots of days when I feel like a lump of dung terrible human being that’s a waste to be alive. But as long as you believe in yourself and stand up for yourself when you need to, that’s all that matters.
As always Taylor, I can never thank you enough for always being there for me. I could never possibly hope to repay you for always being the person who holds me up and never being the person who’s never let me down. Also, after all these years continuing to be an inspiration for me and the flashlight to light the road ahead along the long, dark and lonely tunnel of life.
Love you forever and always,
Dylan
