Though I’m a devout believer in divine intervention, I’m also a champion of willpower. If your will to take drastic steps to change your life (or the course you’ve been walking) is strong enough, then you might just experience the magic that was destined to arise.
What I mean is if you’ve been living comfortably yet unsatisfactorily, it’s probably time to step out of your safe space and do things you’re insecure with – this is the best route for growth. And strive to continuously drive up the amount of insecurity in your life. Without doing so, you will never know your full potential – and not knowing – that is the scariest thing in the world to me. And take extra care not to overanalyze it because the moment you do, it will never happen.
As I witnessed this manifestation in my own life, I affirm that it is hard. There is no easy way out. You will feel lonely. You will be required to make sacrifices, including people. Not everyone will understand, but they don’t need to because you’ve got to do it for yourself. Not someone else. If what you’re doing is enriching you and others around you – if it satiates your thirst and drive for life, then it is worth it. Trust me when I say everyone is too busy living their own life… No one absolutely cares about what you’re doing. Sure, they might in the moment, but in the end, no one is going to come and save you. You have to save yourself. You will want to quit – and you might even for a while. You’ll also cry a little (or a lot).
But NEVER allow the pain to drag you down so far that you give up on the beauty of your own dreams.
I think many people in my life consider me “successful” (or lucky) especially in my career, but I would say mostly lucky only because I never surrendered. I’ve been pelted with unwanted feelings of worthlessness and stupidity in the process of chasing my dreams. And it hurt… not just emotionally, but deeply and physically. I sometimes wanted to perish from this earth out of shame or embarrassment. Those moments were never fun. I don’t know how, but I managed to revivify myself and continued sending out the positive energy I so desired. I was so engrossed in this “energy” that it consumed my mind and my vision – all of me.
Sure enough, one by one, like the stars coming out at night, all that I sent out into the universe unveiled itself to me. It was like a dream, and I can attest, alongside those who believe that dreams come true, that dreams really do come true.
But you must remember to never look to others as a measure of your own success.
Don’t look at my timeline (which was a long ass time) nor anyone else’s. Your barometer and benchmark has to exist within yourself for yourself. Success is relative. I would never judge anyone who is perfectly content living a normal life in a standard home with that white picketed fence; anyone who loves the idea of being surrounded by children shrieking (or screaming in delight) all day and working 9-5 corporate “jobs” – not careers, but jobs. But that kind of normality is not for me – though there is absolutely nothing wrong with either side. Pick yours honesty and truthfully – don’t give up on it and watch it magically appear before you. You might hear “no” a hundred times, but remember, it only ever takes one “yes”.
You may also wonder why the random post, but just a few hours prior (note: I’m writing this post in flight back to Charlotte), I flew to NYC to participate in a campaign for Lord & Taylor with Zanita (as you may have seen on IG). You guys, dreams come true! I am extremely humbled by these rare occurrences and they always drive me into deep introspection. It’s in these moments that I know how lucky I am – and more importantly, how grateful I need to be.
Just wanted to remind you all again (over and over because some of you need it) to never give up on your deepest desires.
