I thought I had my life figured out finally. But I’m still lost at a fork in the road. Many people ask me about my plan for my future. And I tell them the plan that I think is right, “I’m hopefully going to UCF for Marketing and working at Disney again.” And they like that, it’s safe. I chose the safe way. But when I lay down at night, something in my gut says I am throwing away a dream. I’ve already chased my dream of working at Walt Disney World with the Disney College Program. I don’t sleep that well thinking about it and normally look up and ask God “Which way?” I remember a girl who was headstrong, who didn’t let anything stop her from chasing her dreams, no matter how many. It’s time to wake that girl back up.

Yes, I know acting is a hard career. I know what it takes and what it requires, and I’m ready to work hard. And yes I am still acting right now and training on-camera which is a totally different perspective and has helped me improve and further understand my acting in an amazing way. But when I came home from Disney I focused on theater, and moving to New York. Broadway was my dream. And everyone of course is like “Yes, you can do it!” And I believe they really do support me and my dreams, but I know some of my family was relieved when I came up with the idea of going to Florida and focus on my career with Disney instead. But I believe I psyched myself out. I focused on all my flaws. My footwork isn’t great, I’m still working on my voice, and even my eating habits. I pushed it all away, instead of working on it. And I feel this happens with a lot of people. Especially aspiring thespians. I psyched myself out and got in my head. So instead of going after it, I switched directions and decided to play it safe. Well I’m rethinking that whole decision. Going to see a musical recently, and listening to show tunes has made me realize how much I love the stage and the rush of adrenaline and accomplishment you feel every show night. I love the many people I meet and the little families I make and have, although the end of a show is always emotional. We work hard and leave it all out on the stage and take away the memories and a piece of every show that we are in. And as I lay awake one more night, tossing and turning wondering “what if.” I look up and ask God which way should I go. And I find a fork in the road.

It’s been on my head a while now. Why did I choose this way? Why did I decide not to follow my Broadway dream, when everyone looks up to me for my dreams. Am I letting people down by taking the easier route? I pace my room and listening to Hamilton’s “My Shot.” I hear the words “I am not throwing away my shot” ring out so clearly to me. I am not throwing away my shot, I am going to chase my next dream. I am getting out of my head, just like I did with my business. I can’t just throw it away without knowing. And maybe that is where God is leading me. Maybe not. All I can do is trust him and work hard. I’m ready. I know what I need to do and I’m ready to work and not give up. I’m going for it. Disney will always be there. I will always have a home in Florida and Alabama, so I know I can always come back home. But it’s time to get to work, and focus on turning my next dream into action, quoting my acting coach. A lot of people think I’m crazy for having so many dreams and doing so many different things, and you know I think I am a little crazy, but it’s what makes me, me.

If you have a dream or many dreams, don’t psych yourself out and settle for a safe plan. Work hard, focus and don’t make excuses! Go for it. Take risks. Wake up, and get out of your head. You can do it! And it may seem like the best way is the easier way. But you’ll never know unless you try, and taking risks and working hard makes you a stronger person. As my acting coach says, you’re a winner and get to work!