Hi guys!
On Friday of last week (August 11th) a really good friend of mines officially moved to Los Angeles, California to follow her dream of becoming an actress! Honestly, I have a mixed wave of emotions about this big change in her life. I’m so very, very sad because in a way I’m losing a really good friend, but at the same time I’m so very, very happy and proud of her for taking that leap.
We started our journey of studying a new acting technique together in January of this year. Since the first day we met we’ve been really close. We have a lot of things in common, our life stories align almost perfectly with one another, and of course nobody can overlook the best part about this friendship. We both have a deep love, passion, and commitment to the entertainment industry, and that means a lot to me.
It’s so important to have people in your life who understand you, support you, and will always encourage you to live your best life. Though we have only known each other and been friends for roughly a year, I know she’s someone who will always be a part of my life. I will always be one of her biggest supporters, and I know she will always be one of mines.
Which is why it’s so bittersweet for me to write this post and tell her goodbye, not only in person but through here as well. I know deep down inside that it’s all for the better. She’s taking control of her life and making the most of it. She’s allowing herself to been seen in her own spotlight, and I absolutely love that she has the courage to just take the leap.
It’s her courage that got me to thinking about how many times I’ve heard someone say, “I want to be (insert your ultimate dream here) when I grow up”, or, “This is what I want my life to look like”, or even, “In 5 years’ time I will be…”. So many people think and say these things and fail to act upon them. Why?
I personally think a lot of it is out of fear. People fear rejection and they fear failure. It’s a natural part of life so it’s nothing to be ashamed of, but sadly it’s that fear that keeps a lot of people from making the most out of their life. That fear has to be conquered, it has to be broken, and we have to stop letting it have so much power over us.
How do we do that? To be honest, there isn’t a right or wrong answer. It completely depends upon the individual, their current situation, and how badly they want whatever it is they are chasing in life. However, here are a few ways I’ve been learning how to take control of my life in order to follow my passions.
Be mindful of the company you keep
You guys know I preach about this all the time, but it’s so important! Not everybody will understand your vision and you have to protect whatever your vision may be at all times. People will always try to bring you down, especially if you are in a really good place in your life and they aren’t. So be mindful of the company you keep. In other words, don’t share all your big ideas, your greatest dreams, your deepest hopes, and your most beloved passions with everybody. Be very selective in who you allow into this sacred part of your life, because you don’t ever want to give anybody the opportunity to take advantage of you, or to change your mind, which I promise you will change the overall course of your path.
Have a vision board
I love vision boards and I think everyone should have one. A vision board helps you stay focus on the things that you want in life. That focus helps you create a path that is specific to your journey. Your journey is ultimately the life that you are actively creating for yourself. The way I see it, if we want to make our life whatever and however it is that we envision it, we need to have something to be able to look back on. Another key element that vision boards bring to our life is that it helps us realize what our goals are. When have a clear view of our goals, we are more likely to not only pursue them, but to actually accomplish them.
Don’t jump, leap
If you’re anything like me you like to plan things out. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with planning, I promise I am an avid supporter of that. However, we have to keep in mind that somethings things don’t always go as planned. When that happens, we need to be able to think on our feet. We need to be able to bounce back so that we can continue to go for the gold. Therefore, don’t jump, leap. When we jump we are consciously taking steps to get to where we want to be in life. However, when we leap we are putting all our faith in whatever it is we are doing, and that’s always bigger, and more courageous than calculating your every move.
Always make the first move
My acting teacher would refer to this as acting on your impulse, which is she correct about (something I’m learning the more I train with her is that she is always right about human instincts). I’ve always been a huge supporter of acting on your impulses, but I am also a firm believer in only acting on them when appropriate. When it comes to your passions you can never be in the wrong for following that impulse. Yes, they may and can put us in unlikely situations, but 9 times out of 10 they are going to catapult us in the right direction. That’s what we need to strive for, that’s the rush we need to chase after. The thrill of knowing that our impulses are making us stronger and better versions of ourselves, which is positively and influentially reflecting in our craft.
Don’t wait for the world or anybody else for that matter
This has been a big part of my own journey, not only in acting, but in all areas of my life. As a kid, I would sit around and wait for the world to give me a sign that I’m right where I’m supposed to be, doing exactly what I’m meant to do. However, we can’t sit around and wait for the world! I quickly learned this when I graduated high school. If you have a dream or something that you want to do with your life, no matter what it may be, don’t sit around and wait for someone to give you the ok to do it. Don’t sit around and wait for a sign from the universe to tell you if it’s right or wrong. Take your destiny in your own hands and just go wherever the winds blows. One way or another you’re going to find your place, but you won’t find it by sitting around waiting on others.
There will be challenges but face them head on
Everything we set out do will challenge us in some way. It’s up to us to accept that challenge and not let it be a defining factor in our failure to do so (accept the challenge). It’s a healthy part of life to look fear in the eyes and choose to not let it have power of you. However, to get to this point in life we have to work that muscle. The muscle of perseverance and pushing ourselves even when we don’t feel like we can make it through. When we allow ourselves to overcome that fear and silence that voice in our head that is always trying to hold us back, we become stronger. We become braver. We become more thoughtful and conscious, and we become more accepting of the challenges we know may await us as we exit and enter new chapters in our lives.
Life isn’t easy so naturally making the decision to follow your passions in life won’t be either. However, we have to know that it’s ok to dream big. It’s ok to want so much more for yourself in life than what has been offered to you. Knowing, trusting, and believing that you are deserving of a fulfilled, happy, and complete life will always get you to where you are destined to be.
My friend took that leap of faith. She made what was probably the hardest decision in her life thus far to start living her life for herself, and I think that makes her incredibly brave. It’s not easy casting out all the voices in your head that are telling you to sit on your greatest impulse. All too often we listen to those voices because of the fear that the unknown can brings us. But when we choose to silence them and only listen to the voice that is encouraging us to leap when that impulse hits, our life changes for the better.
That’s what following your passions is all about. That’s what it means to chase after a dream. To silence all the negativity and only let the positivity come through. To be brave enough to acknowledge that it won’t be easy, but you’re willing to accept all the challenges that may come your way. That’s what it means to be courageous, that’s what it means to be inspiring, and that’s what it means to be GOOD at what you do!
Safe travels my friend. I miss your dearly, I love you greatly, and I know that our paths will cross again soon!
To those of you reading this, remember, we are our greatest enemy and our biggest roadblock. If you can get out of your own way, you’ll never have to worry about anyone or anything having the ability or the power to hold you back.
Stay strong, be brave, and make the most of your life by living it your way.
-Xo
Kimora
Great post! I just made the “leap” into quitting a great job to go out and follow my passions of writing, blogging and golfing! Like you said gotta put all the faith into it!
That’s awesome! It all comes down to faith, motivation, and determination. If you care about it enough, and you want it bad enough, so long as you give it your all it shall be yours!