Two Years To Go

There is a theory that points out that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to become a virtuoso at anything. Sports, music, art, mathematics, you name it. I started practising art many years ago, but in the time between have seen times where even twenty minuets of art practice a day on average was unlikely. My progress crawled to a halt. I have suffered for a few years with the tortuous knowledge that somehow, not where I should be right now, and upon learning this theory, I think I know why.
According to my calculations, I have enough practice hours under my belt that if I practice four hours a day for two more years, I will reach the state of virtuoso with my art. 
Had I not allowed others to get in the way of my practice, I would have arrived there at the age of twenty. Now I am playing catch-up with my peers, and it is not likely that I will ever fully catch up to my own generation of artists, all of whom have reached the virtuoso point long before me and continued to improve.
NEVER allow anyone to get in the way of your dreams. You need to practice, to work, and if you allow destructive individuals into your life, they will steal years of potential from you.
Never give up, never lose hope, and ALWAYS practice.