I guess I'm a little sentimental heading towards receiving my master’s degree since just 11 years ago I was curled up in a ball sobbing because I wasn't going to attend the school of my dreams. Well, in 2 weeks I'll be receiving my master's degree from the same dream school,in Dance Ed. with emphasis on teaching in the professions. Excited is an understatement for my feelings but I’m truly so grateful. This NYU journey has taught me that God's delay is not a deny, but you‘ll miss it unless you actually pursue it.. again. At the beginning of 2019, I decided to stop wondering how things should've, could've, would've been and focus on creating the life I wanted to live for myself and for my family. It was one of the best decisions I've made and here are the reasons that continue to reinforce the choice to pursue my dreams each day.
Live With No Regrets!
I know what you're saying "Really Alex, how cliché," I know I know, but believe me it is so important. Darryl would get so annoyed sometimes when we would go out to eat. I would order something and sure enough by the end of the meal, I was talking about what I should've ordered instead LOL. That's on a smaller scale but its all the same.. regrets suck!
Pastor Michael Walrond once spoke about an imagery by author, Howard Thurman, of all your dreams and aspirations standing around you as you die and asking you why they weren't given a chance. That put so much into perspective because it made me view my dreams as tangible things that deserve life and energy! I don't want to get to the end of the road and think of all the things I didn't give a chance to and neither should you! The musical Rent put it best "No day but today."
Someone Needs You!
Would you believe me if I told you that your dream could save someone's life? But seriously. I know everyone has seen at least the Beyoncé version (real life) of Lion King, and if nothing else, James Earl Jones taught us that "we are all connected in the great circle of life!" So, that podcast that you've been feening to do or book that has been written in your head, just know that someone is waiting for it... dying to hear your words.
But most importantly you need it. I can and have worked many types of jobs, but I'm the most content when I'm sharing stories whether its through, blogs, choreography songs or plays. When I'm content, guess who else is? My family! Whoever said "happy wife, happy life" doesn't get enough credit!
Losing to Yourself Hurts!
I heard as a little girl that if you don't use your talents, God will take them away... sort of like if you snooze you lose. I remember being so afraid to miss dance or choir rehearsal, fearing that I would wake up one day and not be able to dance or sing LOL. Now that I'm older I realize that what hurts more than not living out your dreams is seeing others do so. I'm just being honest... we can clap and cheer but deep down inside you feel the heartache wishing that you could just do it too. But instead we come up with excuses and justifications. (They're younger, single, don't have kids, grew up with money, went to a better school, live in the city..blah blah blah). The truth is the only differences between you and the person that made their dreams a reality is time and effort. It's a tough pill to swallow so I drank a big glass of water, an even bigger glass of wine and decided to stop scrolling through my explore page for hours and spend that time creating a life that I deem worthy of exploring.
These three reasons along with the breath of the Lord, wake me up around 6:30 and lately 5:30ish each morning! (Even when I'm dog tired and would love to sleep til 9.) I have in my mind all the things I want Oakley to introduce me as when I go to her class for career day and that checks off everything in this post.
You know I love a good challenge.. so I'm challenging you to do what sets your soul on fire. Do what you think about but are too afraid to fail at and if you need some motivational quotes take a look at my Pinterest page right HERE!
2020 has shown us that anything can happen, so make it a happen!
Let me know how it goes.
Love ya,
Alex
