Something that has recently hit me very hard: Absolutely anything and everything is possible. We hear this phrase all the time, but sometimes it's difficult to believe it. The opportunities are endless, and they are just out of your reach. When you think the change is so far away, a bridge that'll make the walk easier is just waiting to be built.
I went through transitions of believing this. A few years ago, I decided to vocalize my dreams. I was excited, naïve, vulnerable and filled with fire and passion. At first, I was overly optimistic and wanted to... essentially, go from 0 to 100, REAL QUICK. Needless to say, reality hit, hard, and there was a lot of hard work that had to happen.
The fire and passion has remained, but much else has changed. I've overwhelmed myself with schedules, lists, taken on too much, and struggled to have time to breathe to the point where I look forward to red lights during drives, just so I can take a couple breaths, and maybe a bite of breakfast.
I've learned a lot. And I want to start sharing more of what I've learned and am learning because often I find myself wishing I had someone tell me certain things before having to learn the hard way.
My flaw is that I am incredibly impatient. When I get an idea or thought, I go after it, blazing forward with no sense of time or setback. Not entirely a bad thing, but there has to be a balance... and well, I suck at balance... in most aspects of my life. Something I'm currently working on.
Anyway, I'm never one to tell someone to dim their own light or fire, in fact, ignite it constantly, feel it grow in you. Believe with your entire being that you can do whatever you want and absolutely no one can stop you.
My next point is that even though anything is possible, do not expect things to be handed to you on a silver platter. No one owes you anything. People will make you promises all day, but rarely are those promises fulfilled. I don't mean to sound pessimistic, but one thing I have definitely learned over the years is never to expect anything from anyone... even those who make you promises.
People have agendas. People are busy. People have their own goals and you will never be more of a top priority to anyone like you will be to yourself. But hey, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. And you CAN'T take that personal... in fact, I've learned never to take anything personal. Most issues you're overthinking almost never have anything to do with you.
So, what do you do? Make your own opportunities. Don't wait for jobs to come to you, for people to come to you. I waited for opportunities and found myself miserable working jobs I didn't love. It took me a while to quit, but I did, and I told myself that if ever in my life I was going to just work on stories I am passionate about, it's going to be now. I have a camera, I have a voice, and absolutely no one can tell me "no."
Just because you shouldn't wait for anyone to present the opportunity to you, doesn't mean you shouldn't think people are paying attention. They are. And they will. Not many people live their lives pursuing their true passions and are vocal about it, so when a person is, heads turn... just be sure to keep your own head high.
Keeping your head high is easier said than done. We live in a society where people find it so easy to make you see flaws about yourself that you never even knew you had.
Just last week, an anonymous troll who claims to be in the "media biz" (like, who even says 'media biz?' Lol) told me I needed plastic surgery, a voice coach, a more "womanly figure," yet...I need to "be myself." What a trip.
Regardless, I've said time and time again, we are involved in this online world where people are free to say whatever they want, even project their own insecurities and self-hate on to others, with the goal of tearing them down too. When it gets to be too much, it's easy to start thinking, "well, are they right? What if they have a point?"
If you're asking yourself that, let me tell you they're wrong. What those people are saying to you, has nothing to do with you and everything to do with them. The first thing I felt when I got that message was- pity. Anyone who is secure and happy with themselves, wouldn't send a message filled with judgment and hate.
I should wrap this up.
I just wanted to remind you, you can do it. Stop doubting yourself. Allow the domino effect of opportunity to take place. Just take the first steps, make those first opportunities yourself. The rest will follow. You will be criticize and get fed a hard dose of reality during the process, but do not flinch at the bitter taste, embrace it. Keep pushing, and when you're knocked down, keep pushing, and when it feels impossible to make your next move, then just stand, because that is a step in itself and you will move soon. Do not allow others to deter you from what feels right in your heart, they are struggling with their own demons. No one will empower you like you. Be your own cheerleader, and then be one for others. We could all use one more positive and passionate person in our lives.