A Leap of Faith
I’ll start with some transparency: I’ve been scrolling through my own social media posts for inspiration!! As I’ve been posting my thoughts to motivate others, I’m also reminding myself that I can change, pivot, and that fear shouldn’t hold me back.
Recently, I’ve faced doubts as I prepare to hit the ‘record button’. For those of you who know me well, I’m a behind the scenes person. In my 28-year television career, I chose to stay behind the camera enjoying the anonymity while being an integral part of a production and creative team. I’ve never been camera shy, or am afraid to speak publicly, but this time, it’s different. I am stepping front and center to host a podcast, be a public speaker, and lead workshops and events – a huge leap of faith!
The Backstory
To give some context, this journey began during my recovery from breast cancer surgery, in the fall of 2018. As I drifted in and out of sleep, God kept speaking to my heart. It was a voice that wouldn’t stop: “Do not go back to work. Everyone is going through something. Go out and create a platform for people to share their stories. Give them a space to talk.”
After praying about it and discerning that this was, in fact, from God, I obediently followed his call and walked away from my career at its prime. At first, I was enjoying my life, traveling, spending time with family and that’s when the reinvention process began.
I was an Adjunct Professor at FIU, for 2 years. Then I taught theology to high school students and worked in various ministries at my parish. But what I didn’t do, was the second part of the calling – create the platform for people to share their stories.
The Spotlight Struggle
I knew from the beginning that the platform would be a podcast, but here’s where my predicament began. I don’t want this to be about me, yet I must be front and center to deliver the message. My goal is to shine a light on other’s stories and inspire many more people on their journeys.
In a world obsessed with likes, followers and engagements, it’s easy to get caught up in ego. So, the inner warfare begins – quash the self and promote God’s calling. I remind myself of John the Baptist’s words when his disciples became worried about Jesus gaining more followers: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John 3:30). John was preparing the way for Jesus, and it was time for him to step aside. He was teaching his followers, and all of us, to stay focused on our mission, not on ourselves.
The “Me” Trap
In 1985, Sally Field won the Oscar for Best Actress for the movie “Places in the Heart” and gave a heartfelt speech: “…you like me. Right now, you like me!” This speech was publicly ridiculed for a long time, and she was shamed because she was focusing on herself. But no one ever mentioned her vulnerability prior to uttering those words, where she mentioned that all she ever wanted was respect from her peers and that night she had finally received it.
As I’m going through this inner conflict of being front and center, while aiming to focus the attention on others, I wonder if Sally Field’s speech would have the same negative impact as it did back then. Today, society celebrates “self” – self-care, self-motivation, selfies, etc. None of these are inherently bad, but is “self on steroids” the best way to live? Shouldn’t we also focus on a greater mission and purpose that could potentially help and elevate others?
Finding Clear Direction – Dose of Wisdom
As I feverishly continue working on this project that God placed in my heart nearly 7 years ago, I focus on my ‘north star’ for clear direction. A self-centered motivation only leads to feeding our egos, and although some may find monetary success, none will find true happiness.
To stay grounded, I followed a process that may help you in your own ventures:
- Define Your WHY: Know your purpose! In my opinion, this should always come first. Simon Sinek became famous for a Ted Talk he did precisely about this subject. Understanding why you’re doing something sets the foundation for success.
- Design Your WHAT: Identify the product, content, or service you’ll offer to create value for others.
- Develop Your HOW: Get into the “nuts and bolts” of the operation. HOW you bring this to life is pivotal if you want it to get anywhere! Don’t hesitate to seek expert advice to bring your vision to life!
- Discover Your WHERE: Choose the right platform or place to reach your audience effectively. This has to be given serious consideration.
- Decide Your WHEN: Deadlines my friends are what helps all of us reach our destination. Look at the calendar, be realistic with expectations and just pick a date to launch! In my case, I never did that, hence why it’s taken so long for this to become a reality. Don’t be afraid, just decide and go!!
Stepping Into the Spotlight
As the launch date approaches, I see myself slowly walking to center stage, but the fear is dissipating because I’m clear that all of this is for God’s Glory, not mine. I’ve often given myself too much credit for all my success, but the truth is that it’s all thanks to His Divine Grace. I’ve received more blessings than I deserve, and as such, all my work is dedicated to God. He is my center!
