Coast to Coast
My bedroom dresser is composed of things that bring a smile to my face every time I walk in and out of my room. There is a framed picture of my beautiful sorority sisters that brings the true meaning of friendship into my life. The burning vanilla scented candles brings an instant wave of comfort over me as it reminds me of my mom. The words “don’t take any shit” written in calligraphy on my mirror is my daily reminder to gracefully continue to kick ass and take names. Right below those words is a boarding pass. Yes, a boarding pass. You know those things that you usually leave in the pocket of the seat in front of you. Well, that is part of my room décor. It’s an ugly white piece of paper that has MIA – LAX stamped across it, and every day it brings me the perfect mixture of motivation, humbleness and excitement. Let me explain … Two years ago I made the decision to follow an indescribable feeling. That feeling lead me to pack my life into boxes and move across the country with no job and no apartment. During my first few months in Los Angeles I honest to God cried myself to sleep more times then I would like to admit. I cried due to fear of the unknown and mostly because I missed my family and friends more then I could put into words. But the craziest thing was that even with tears running down my cheeks I never once thought about packing up and moving back home – that is how I knew that I was in the right place at the right time. I thank my lucky stars each and ever day that I did not throw in the towel and am proud to call California my home, and even prouder of the woman I am becoming.
Since moving to the City of Angels I have hit some of the bumpiest roads that, at the time, made me feel as if the world was crumbling down. On the flip side, I have been blessed to have experiences that have truly lead me to pinch myself. I will continue to be forever grateful for the wonderful experiences but even more thankful for the “bad.” Why? Because those are the true moments that challenge you, that strengthen you, that test you, that lead you to grow and I don’t know about you but I think those moments are pretty damn cool and empowering.
I have had several friends and strangers message me or say in passing that they, “wish they could do that” (referring to how I moved to LA) and my immediate response is, “why can’t you?” I didn’t move out here because I had a money tree in my back pocket to fund this journey. I didn’t’ move out here to be closer to my family. I didn’t move out here so I would be able to see my boyfriend in the flesh and never have to FaceTime again. I moved because I knew that if I didn’t I would be 85 years old looking back wondering “what if” and that right there was my biggest fear. I have no secret. I have no words of wisdom to share with you that will be written down in history books. I have exactly what you have: Determination, Motivation, Trust – the question is, will you use it?
No matter what gives you that indescribable feeling, chase it. Go for it. Why not? Seriously, why not? What do you have to lose? Nothing. Who is standing in your way? If that answer is you, then step aside because there is a part of you that is dying to get out. Before taking that step promise me two things:
- You will always trust your instinct
- Don’t take any shit.
