Walk this way…YOUR way!

Last night as I said my prayers I was in a zone.  Throughout my life I have had many times where people have spoken into my life in positive ways.  I’m sure behind my back there have been those that have attempted to do the same in a negative way too. LOL But I digress…

As I lay in bed last night, stuffy and still feeling under the weather, I spoke to God about my purpose and that though His word says it will make room for me, the path getting to that place is not clear or laid out. As someone aspiring to be various things in this crazy entertainment business; an actor (first and foremost), a director, producer, writer and media personality, it’s not an easy sell for any one thing that I do, and especially not all of the above.  For many years when it was thought best to laser focus on one thing, so many people told me that I need to find my ONE THING and do that.  That there was no way in the world that I could be an actor, director, producer, writer, singer, correspondent, etc.  But I never fell for that.  I was not some fly by night chick who woke up and said “let me do this cuz it’s cute.”  I worked and I failed many times at EACH of these endeavors.  But as I failed, I failed forward; never allowing myself to wallow in what project didn’t succeed or what situation didn’t get as far as I’d have liked it to.  And through that I grew and improved.  At this time, I’m confident that my destiny and income streams lie in entertainment across various disciplines.  Not to mention in this day and age, if you only do one thing and don’t have the visibility to gainfully profit from just that one thing, you are out and not winning in this game!  So I was ahead of my time and didn’t even know it :-)

I speak that my destiny lies in entertainment and I am sure of that.  And yes, just like Miss Cleo, I can't predict the future, although I adamantly claim my success. But I say this and know it in my very spirit, soul and core, more so because my goals come at a time where women are thriving and forging incredible paths for themselves in my field of choice. From Ava DuVernay, to Mara Brock Akil, to Regina King (who is directing all over the place these days), to even many lesser known sisters who are making noise in the indie world and beyond. But it is not missed on me that we are still not “there” yet due to things like Ava’s Oscar snub as well as the film Selma’s collective Guild Association snubs.  I realize that although many of the aforementioned women were charged with making some commendable “firsts,” this business is a good old boys club.  And let’s be clear…WHITE boys is what I mean.  Some will be offended by me pulling the race card, but hey I’m about that truthful life and that be the truth! So despite those well placed initial footprints, they were not made in stone, but more like in sand.  And the snubs and shirks keep coming like a strong wind blowing that sand around making them almost undetectable for the next person.  People like me, and other women looking to make some headway in the entertainment space beyond being the cute girl on the screen.  However, with all the adoration and admiration that I have for these women, I am okay with not being able to step in their exact foot prints.  They worked hard to make those marks and that’s awesome.  In life some are destined to be “first,” and others of us are destined to follow suit, but still do it our own way. 

As the winds of racism, sexism, classism and mediocrity blow they will cover up some of the stable footsteps that these and others have created.  But my spiritual belief is that God is no respecter of persons, and so I can and will do it too; in my time…walking it my own way.  I’m content knowing that as I hustle to rise, I can securely use their journey as my outline and encouragement. 

In turn, I encourage you to find inspiration for yourself somewhere and/or in someone.  Secure your purpose and your goals in your mind and decide to achieve that.  Study those that have paved a way before you and find like minds (if they exist at that time) that you can grow with and from as well.  Know that your purpose and work ethic will not only make room for you, but make room for you to walk YOUR way into your destiny. Be it in the footsteps of others, or simply alongside their path to get you there. 

Photo credit: Patrice Tankard