I had a teacher in college who drastically changed the course of

The actress Taylor Schilling, known to many for her craft upon the stage and screen, once spoke these heartfelt words: “I had a teacher in college who drastically changed the course of my life by telling me that he believed in me as an actor. I never received that support before, and it inspired me to such a degree that I never looked back. He taught me that it's okay to be crappy; it's okay to fight; it's okay to go to any length.” Within this confession lies the eternal truth of mentorship: that a single word of faith, spoken at the right time, can kindle a fire that shapes an entire destiny.

At the core of Schilling’s reflection is the power of a teacher’s belief. She had not, until that moment, received affirmation for her gift. Like so many souls in their youth, she was wandering between doubt and desire, uncertain if her dream was folly or worth. Then came a voice, not condemning, not cautious, but filled with faith. “I believe in you.” Such words are as living water to the thirsty spirit, restoring strength, awakening courage, and opening the door to possibilities long thought closed. The world offers many critics, but the rare teacher who believes can alter the course of a life.

The wisdom her teacher imparted was not of perfection, but of permission to fail. “It’s okay to be crappy,” he told her. In this paradox lies profound freedom. For greatness is not born in flawless beginnings, but in persistence through imperfection. Every artist, every thinker, every leader has stumbled, faltered, and fought. What separates the triumphant from the forgotten is not the absence of failure, but the refusal to surrender to it. To tell a student it is “okay to fight” is to remind them that struggle itself is part of the sacred path to mastery.

History offers luminous examples. Thomas Edison, when asked about his thousands of failed attempts to create the lightbulb, replied, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Had he demanded perfection at every step, he would have given up before the dawn of success. Or consider Vincent van Gogh, dismissed and impoverished in his lifetime, who painted through rejection after rejection. His greatness lay not in applause, but in the relentless willingness to “go to any length” for the sake of expression. In each, the principle stands: permission to fail is the doorway to greatness.

The deeper meaning of Schilling’s words is that the gift of belief creates courage where none existed. It is not always the actor, the artist, or the student who sees their own potential. Often it is the teacher, mentor, or friend who first names it, and in naming, awakens it. This is why mentors are sacred: they carry keys that unlock the hidden greatness in others. Schilling’s teacher did not merely improve her technique; he gave her the confidence to pursue her calling without turning back.

The lesson is clear: never underestimate the power of encouragement. To speak words of belief into another’s life may cost you little, but it may mean everything to them. Likewise, if you are the one searching for affirmation, remember that failure is not shame but growth, and that fighting through doubt is part of every noble journey. Do not despise small beginnings, nor fear imperfection. Trust that persistence, more than talent alone, will carry you toward your purpose.

Practically, this means seeking out voices of encouragement, but also becoming that voice for others. If you see potential in someone, say it. If you witness effort, honor it. If you yourself falter, remind yourself that being “crappy” today is the soil in which tomorrow’s mastery grows. Take risks, fight through rejection, and go to any length for the work that calls your soul. For in the end, it is not perfection but perseverance that crowns the journey.

Thus Taylor Schilling’s memory is more than a personal anecdote; it is a teaching for us all. A teacher’s belief became the spark of her destiny. And so it has always been: that faith, spoken at the right time, can transform weakness into strength, fear into courage, and the uncertain path into a road walked boldly, without looking back.