I’m about to cross half the world chasing my dreams. It’s a high risk move on my part, as I can only do this for 2 months before I’m broke and must return to Canada, tail between my legs. It will be the 4th time I’ve bet all my chips on something that seems impossible to pull off. Many say it’s a bad idea (they always do) and that I should wait until the time is right (It never is) In every instance, an event in my life comes to mind.
Years ago, when finally leaving school to make a living doing what I was trained to do, I made a promise to myself. I would never again work a job that didn’t pertain to my role as a creative. No more jobs to “pay the bills”. It would be design or death. My promise would be tested.
I spent the summer searching for jobs that never happened, eating my pantry clean and cleaning out my bank account until I had $5 to my name. I came face to face to with the Void.
“How badly do you want this” it whispered.
That was one of those cross roads moments in life.
I literally couldn’t support myself and my promise kept me from falling back on a job to “pay the bills”, but there I was staring down at my cell phone on my desk, ready to call to be a bartender.
Every time I reached for the phone, my gut retched. I literally got sick a couple times. Finally, grinding my teeth, sweat beading down my face and inching my hand towards the phone, I was about to give in. About to break my promise.
It took half an hour before finally touching the phone. I was thinking, “Don’t do this. You’ve worked too hard for this, bled for this (another story) You played their game, jumped through the hoops. I’m not asking to rule the world I’m asking for a career I will love.”
I just couldn’t do it.
Then the unimaginable happened.
The phone rang.
It was my first gig as a compositor. I won.
It was a paradigm shift for me. Somehow that happened. At that moment. When I needed it the most. It was a little miracle. It makes no sense what I’m describing. It’s like jumping off one side of the grand canyon knowing that somehow you’ll land on the other side. That day I found an inner strength I never knew I had.
Now you know why I’m so passionate about motion design. Why I have a permanent smile on my face when I’m working the craft. It’s also why I look up to everyone out there who’s committed to chasing their dreams and have the courage to stare down the void and make the leap.
Because we know what’s on the other side of that canyon.
Be courageous. Hold Fast. It’s worth it.
