I’m a dancer.
No, I’m not classically trained and no, I haven’t been doing it all my life. But, I’m a dancer. I woke up one day and realized I wasn’t happy with where my life was going. I wasn’t creative. I wasn’t being free. I wasn’t…me. I knew it was time. It was time to do what I wanted to do. It was time to be completely content in where I was at all and any point in my life. It was time for me to get back to me. Operation Take My Life Back was born.
So, I sat down and took a long look at myself. I have dabbled in many things in my life, but two things have remained constant: my love for writing and my love for dancing.
As a kid growing up, I used to write books and plays just to entertain myself. My first book, “Kidnapped,” was written in the sixth grade. It was about a young girl who was kidnapped by a family member. The motive? Her trust fund…of course. I got a few chapters in and just lost motivation. However, I can tell you it was her aunt who did it.
Then there was dance. I’ve always been a performer and really started to explore my love for dance in elementary school. However; as a ten year old, I thought I was too old to start dancing. I mean, look at me. I was practically a senior citizen. So, I found replacements that I enjoyed as well. I started taking gymnastics, which eventually lead to cheerleading. Both had elements of dance. That was my favorite part. Although I gave up gymnastics when I entered high school, I continued to cheer until my senior year. Then college came. I decided to step out on a limb and try out for the school dance team. I made it. JACKPOT! I don’t think I loved being a part of anything more than I loved being a member of the Majestic Dance Troupe.
As a public relations major and dancer in college, I dedicated the next four years of school to my loves: writing and dancing. P.R. gave me the opportunity to write and combined it with the glam, or perceived notion of glam, which came with public relations. After graduation, I dropped the dance and dove head first into my career.
Five years and a significant amount of accolades later, I woke up one day (April 11, 2010) and looked at my life. Why do I remember this day? It was the day my brother died. My brother was a true free spirit in every sense of the word. I was a free spirit once, but once life happened (work, bills, house, career) I suppressed my wants for my “needs.” If there is one thing my brother’s life taught me, it was that I should always live life the way I wanted it. I should do what I needed to do to be happy. So, a few months ago I enrolled in dance. I’ve started writing more. As each day passes, I’m taking the steps needed to focus on my passions and really love what I do.
Too often, we get stuck in what we feel we have to do instead of what we want to do. Don’t let another opportunity pass you by and think, “I’ll just catch the next one.” You might have just missed the opportunity for you! Pursue your dreams. Period. Turn words and plans in to action. Period!
I hope you stick around and tune in as I explore this new journey, this new chapter in my life. I hope you are inspired to start new chapters in your own life.
I find inspiration in music. So, I’ll leave you with this on point message from Lee Ann Womack. I’m sure you know it…
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances, but they’re worth taking
Lovin’ might be a mistake, but it’s worth making
Don’t let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out, reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance…
Write Ambition 