UNITED STATES—We are all dreamers to some degree; some of us dream big, others not so much. I watched an intriguing interview online this weekend from actor Andre Hall who stars in Tyler Perry’s “Love Thy Neighbor” and it was so inspiring. For him to share his story with Black Hollywood Live about his story of success from lots of struggle was so powerful to say the least.
I’ve heard this time and time again to create a visual board of things that you want to accomplish, but more importantly things that you are “actively” working towards. Yes, there is a reason I placed the word “actively” in quotes, because many of us dream, but we’re not taking the steps in pursuit of our dreams. You can’t say you want to be an actor, if you’re not working to perfect your craft or seeking gigs by continually going out for casting opportunities. To hear him acknowledge that every single thing he had on his vision board from the previous year come to fruition to a “T” was awesome to her. It goes with the power of thinking, “If you can visual it, you can make it happen.”
I’m a filmmaker at heart, but I honestly have not strived to seek the dream that I’m constantly daydreaming about. But I’ve come to realize, I have to pursue that dream with every single fiber in my body, because my passion for it is impossible to describe with words. They say, “Every person is put on Earth to do something.” I’ve always known since a kid, being a filmmaker was my passion, not just as a director, but as a writer, producer and actor. The vision is in my head; so it’s hard to describe.
Hall’s story about the constant grind to try to make things happen, just further reiterates for so many others that nothing is impossible, the person just has to be willing to sacrifice and put their all into it. He was ready to quit, and just when all hope seemed impossible, something transpired. The idea of quitting something because it doesn’t happen overnight is all too common for most of us, but that’s the key. Nothing that you want comes without hard work, drive, dedication and passion. If you aren’t willing to sweat and bleed for your dream, how can you expect it to come to you?
And it always appears right when you’re ready to throw in the towel, something happens, a sign is given to you not to give up. If your heart is in that dream that you desperately want to accomplish, there is absolutely nothing and I mean nothing that will stop you from reaching it. Don’t say what it is you want to achieve, prove it through your actions, the more you do something the better you become at it. I’m realizing that in time, as hectic and tiring as my work day or work week can be, I can’t allow myself not to write, to create or to imagine my next goal, better yet visualize. See myself making it happen and actively working towards it.
But I think the one quote that stays with me effortlessly, is something I heard TV titan Oprah Winfrey say on her talk show, I can’t say the quote precisely, as I’m not certain, but it was something along the lines of each day you do something that you don’t want to do a piece of you dies inside. It’s so true, because you begin to lose focus on your dream, your drive wavers, your passion and fight wavers. And this can be a difficult to grasp, sometimes you have to let things that are hindering you go, not out of fear of losing something, but in pursuit of success. Does this mean quitting a job perhaps, but at the same time, remember you have to have financing to sustain and provide for yourself. The job you currently have may not be the best, but if it keeps you afloat and allows you to continue pursuit of your dream its ok.
So to all the dreamers out there, your dream is attainable if you’re willing to fight for it, but remember, having a passion for that dream is key! If its not something you’re passionate about, the likelihood of a person staying committed to it wavers. I have a quote that I live by in life, “In life we’re not afraid of failure, we’re afraid of success.” Precisely, what does that mean? I will leave that to the person who reads it to determine. To see Hall’s full interview with BHL visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0qZHgEj1ts&feature=youtu.be.
