“Defying Gravity”, the theme song from Wicked, has been playing over and over in my head for the last couple of weeks as I have been working towards the decision to quit my day job and become a photographer full time. It is a scary thought to quit your full time, stable job, to pursue a passion and a dream.
I came across a blog post that Jasmine Star wrote and I couldn’t identify with it more. It’s like she was writing this blog post about me. As if I am that photographer who e-mailed her, worried that I'm not good enough.
She writes:
“In the quiet moment, I remembered an email I received from a photographer that morning worried she wouldn't be able to leave her day job and become a full time photographer. What if I'm not good enough, she asked. The email was littered with doubt, but I told her to just do it. Just make her dreams happen.
Is it not what life is about? Finding your goal or passion and then making it happen? So often we cut ourselves short because we think of a thousand reasons why we can't do something, when we should pour that energy into figuring how to make it a reality. I completely understand there are mortgages, health care, school loans, and a lingering bill for laser hair removal you need to take care of before you drop everything and run toward your dream, but don't you at least want to take one step toward it? First, set your goal. Second, vocalize your dream to your trusted allies. Third, create an action plan to make things happen. Even if it takes ten months or ten years to make it a reality, work toward it. It's liberating if you're stuck in a windowless office and a sack lunch under your desk. Trust me, I was there too.
Sitting on the rooftop at sunset made me realize how happy I was to have worked toward my dreams. I sat my camera down and instead of hiding behind the lens, I let the sun fall on my face and embraced the moment. I hope wherever you are in the process of following your dreams you don't lean on your crutches or hide behind veils of excuses...go out and make things happen.”
Is it not what life is about? Finding your goal or passion and then making it happen? So often we cut ourselves short because we think of a thousand reasons why we can't do something, when we should pour that energy into figuring how to make it a reality. I completely understand there are mortgages, health care, school loans, and a lingering bill for laser hair removal you need to take care of before you drop everything and run toward your dream, but don't you at least want to take one step toward it? First, set your goal. Second, vocalize your dream to your trusted allies. Third, create an action plan to make things happen. Even if it takes ten months or ten years to make it a reality, work toward it. It's liberating if you're stuck in a windowless office and a sack lunch under your desk. Trust me, I was there too.
Sitting on the rooftop at sunset made me realize how happy I was to have worked toward my dreams. I sat my camera down and instead of hiding behind the lens, I let the sun fall on my face and embraced the moment. I hope wherever you are in the process of following your dreams you don't lean on your crutches or hide behind veils of excuses...go out and make things happen.”
Go out and make things happen.
I believe that we are created for a higher purpose, and God created each of us differently with unique gifts and talents. I can't really back in my cubical and watch those God given passions waste away. And I trust that God will lead me in this decision. Sometimes, it is a great thing to step out in faith.
So here I am in my windowless office, with my sack lunch under my desk, ready to close my eyes and leap.
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