I read something once that inspired the question of “What
am I?” I found that the answer I had was
more of a recital of what I’d been told in church over the years. “I am a child
of God”. I would proclaim without
batting an eyelash. However, if things didn’t go as planned or as I had hoped,
I would be somewhere crying, “Why Lord?” “Why?” Having a “pity party” is what I like to call it. The truth
is I really didn’t know what that meant. My answer to that question was truly a
recital.
“Who you are” is something that most people can recite for sure, sometimes even making a list, writing it all out. “I’m nice, fun, outgoing, giving” blah, blah, blah and this list continues on, kind of like filling out an online dating profile. This is often the place people refer to when questioning why certain things are happening or not happening in their lives. Understanding who you are is great in regards to knowing your character and it definitely has its place. However, there is a stronger component to you that lies beneath the surface. This component is the true foundation of “What you are” and making things happen in your life.
“God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him;
male and female He created them” Genesis 1:27
Beneath your flesh lives a spirit, the spirit of God. YOU are created in the image and likeness of God are a spirit too, enclosed in a body. This is a fact that is often taken for granted or easily forgotten by a lot of people but this is where your true power lies. It is in your spirit. The one that lives inside of you. Before you get too caught up in the confusion of your life, career or constant “pity parties”, backtrack to the beginning of what you are and start from this place to understand that change is possible and that your perspective has to change because you are truly powerful. To consider what you are should inspire a whole new meaning for your life and what you are capable of will become a whole lot clearer. You're probably wondering how does all of this relate to you starting your acting career. The reason I felt it was important to start here as it relates to pursuing your dream, is that the actions of the Creator sheds a bit of light on what we are and what we need to start incorporating in our lives as well. I mean we are created in the image and likeness of the Ceator right?
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and the darkness was deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the fave of the waters. Then God said “Let there be light”, and there was light. -Genesis 1: 1-3
Before moving to Los Angeles from Chicago, all I had was a hope and a dream to become a successful actress. I had made my rounds in Chicago doing the “chitlin” circuit plays and independent films. I was trying hard to fulfill my dream in Chicago but the more I researched, I knew I had to move to Los Angeles to have the opportunities working in television and films. I didn’t have any money to move during those times but one thing for sure I knew in my heart was that it was possible for me to fulfill my dreams. I had faith and believed wholeheartedly that it was possible for me even with hearing discouraging advice.
My cousin sent me a tape a few years after I was settled in Los Angeles. It was of us performing as kids, something we did often. On that tape, I was eleven years old and I was speaking into the camera stating, “I am going to be a successful actress.” Wow, I was shocked myself when I saw that footage. Even at the age of eleven, I was speaking it into existence. When I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago, I knew two people. They were actresses trying to break into the business themselves. I didn’t know a thing about Los Angeles, all I had was a dream. Well, I had the spirit of God too, but nevertheless I wasn’t working with a whole lot of contacts. All the things I was told I needed, I didn’t have. I didn’t have a demo reel, an agent and I wasn't in the actors union. Nevertheless, I believed it would happen and there were a number of reasons why I could have said, “I can’t do this.”
I remember conversations I would have with people, I kept saying, “I’m moving to Los Angeles. I’m going to be a successful actress.” I didn’t know how it was going to happen but I knew if God created the earth, becoming a successful actress was a piece of cake. Knowing this was certainly enough to get me charged up emotionally but let’s be real, it takes much more than that. That was my start. The start of my dreams becoming a reality. I spoke it, I believed it and with many steps in between, here I am. I wanted to start with “What You Are” as a reminder of what you are, you being spirit made in the image and likeness of God. A helpful reminder while pursuing your dreams. Yes, we’ve all heard that we are created in the image and likeness of God before but do you believe it in your heart? Start here as a foundation as you move forward. Think about it, if you are created in the image and likeness of the CREATOR who has created ALL THINGS, what does that say about your capabilities? There have been people throughout history who have revealed or showcased this power and ability. There are those who have done what was considered impossible and those who have performed miracles.
“There is one creator whose spirit and energy lives within each and every one of us. It doesn’t matter what you call it, you must simply acknowledge its presence.”
-Iyanla Vanzant
There are many more elements to fulfilling your dream of becoming an actor. This could be considered foundational to remember while pursuing any dream. If you can truly understand what this means, you are well on your way to tapping into the biggest part of you and making your dreams a reality. People often ask me how do you get started as an actor? “What do I need to do to begin?” I tell them you have to have a burning desire, talent, confidence and faith but this is only the half of it because there are two sides to every coin and faith without works is dead.
* * * * *
“Who you are” is something that most people can recite for sure, sometimes even making a list, writing it all out. “I’m nice, fun, outgoing, giving” blah, blah, blah and this list continues on, kind of like filling out an online dating profile. This is often the place people refer to when questioning why certain things are happening or not happening in their lives. Understanding who you are is great in regards to knowing your character and it definitely has its place. However, there is a stronger component to you that lies beneath the surface. This component is the true foundation of “What you are” and making things happen in your life.
“God created man in His own image; in the image of God he created him;
male and female He created them” Genesis 1:27
Beneath your flesh lives a spirit, the spirit of God. YOU are created in the image and likeness of God are a spirit too, enclosed in a body. This is a fact that is often taken for granted or easily forgotten by a lot of people but this is where your true power lies. It is in your spirit. The one that lives inside of you. Before you get too caught up in the confusion of your life, career or constant “pity parties”, backtrack to the beginning of what you are and start from this place to understand that change is possible and that your perspective has to change because you are truly powerful. To consider what you are should inspire a whole new meaning for your life and what you are capable of will become a whole lot clearer. You're probably wondering how does all of this relate to you starting your acting career. The reason I felt it was important to start here as it relates to pursuing your dream, is that the actions of the Creator sheds a bit of light on what we are and what we need to start incorporating in our lives as well. I mean we are created in the image and likeness of the Ceator right?
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and the darkness was deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the fave of the waters. Then God said “Let there be light”, and there was light. -Genesis 1: 1-3
Before moving to Los Angeles from Chicago, all I had was a hope and a dream to become a successful actress. I had made my rounds in Chicago doing the “chitlin” circuit plays and independent films. I was trying hard to fulfill my dream in Chicago but the more I researched, I knew I had to move to Los Angeles to have the opportunities working in television and films. I didn’t have any money to move during those times but one thing for sure I knew in my heart was that it was possible for me to fulfill my dreams. I had faith and believed wholeheartedly that it was possible for me even with hearing discouraging advice.
My cousin sent me a tape a few years after I was settled in Los Angeles. It was of us performing as kids, something we did often. On that tape, I was eleven years old and I was speaking into the camera stating, “I am going to be a successful actress.” Wow, I was shocked myself when I saw that footage. Even at the age of eleven, I was speaking it into existence. When I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago, I knew two people. They were actresses trying to break into the business themselves. I didn’t know a thing about Los Angeles, all I had was a dream. Well, I had the spirit of God too, but nevertheless I wasn’t working with a whole lot of contacts. All the things I was told I needed, I didn’t have. I didn’t have a demo reel, an agent and I wasn't in the actors union. Nevertheless, I believed it would happen and there were a number of reasons why I could have said, “I can’t do this.”
I remember conversations I would have with people, I kept saying, “I’m moving to Los Angeles. I’m going to be a successful actress.” I didn’t know how it was going to happen but I knew if God created the earth, becoming a successful actress was a piece of cake. Knowing this was certainly enough to get me charged up emotionally but let’s be real, it takes much more than that. That was my start. The start of my dreams becoming a reality. I spoke it, I believed it and with many steps in between, here I am. I wanted to start with “What You Are” as a reminder of what you are, you being spirit made in the image and likeness of God. A helpful reminder while pursuing your dreams. Yes, we’ve all heard that we are created in the image and likeness of God before but do you believe it in your heart? Start here as a foundation as you move forward. Think about it, if you are created in the image and likeness of the CREATOR who has created ALL THINGS, what does that say about your capabilities? There have been people throughout history who have revealed or showcased this power and ability. There are those who have done what was considered impossible and those who have performed miracles.
“There is one creator whose spirit and energy lives within each and every one of us. It doesn’t matter what you call it, you must simply acknowledge its presence.”
-Iyanla Vanzant
There are many more elements to fulfilling your dream of becoming an actor. This could be considered foundational to remember while pursuing any dream. If you can truly understand what this means, you are well on your way to tapping into the biggest part of you and making your dreams a reality. People often ask me how do you get started as an actor? “What do I need to do to begin?” I tell them you have to have a burning desire, talent, confidence and faith but this is only the half of it because there are two sides to every coin and faith without works is dead.
* * * * *
