Dedicated Distractions
It seems today that I have been receiving a recurring sign despite my several ingenious attempts to run away from it. So let’s run through my day. I wake up late again. Not particularly because I have a desire to waste my 24 hours but because I have a desire to have comfortability. I wake up at the time I want, and choose with the time I have remaining in my day what I will make of it. It seemed like the perfect system. Except it’s not, the system is far from the perfection I desire. Extremely flawed. 0/10 wouldn’t recommend. Despite feeling relaxed, and stress free it felt as though life was consistently stripping away from me. Although the relaxation is comforting, time doesn’t take any breaks. In fact it’s a stickler for staying on schedule. So I woke up today and rolled over to my phone to look at the Bible app not necessarily for guidance but to keep my streak intact, looked at the word and at least felt its presence for a moment throughout my day. Usually after this I’ll watch television and stay on the phone for hours at a time. However, I remember one of the teams I work for “GoFech” had a series that came out a couple days ago titled “Jesus Over Everything” or the J.O.E. Show. This series principal message today spoke about how when we decide to put Jesus first in our lives instead of the things we selfishly and continually place in front of him that is when we will truly begin to live freely through the spirit of God. A power packed message with so much truth.
I’ve seen the tremendous change in my life when I believe in God and execute the things that he sees fit for my life. However, when you have a desire to step into your purpose there are always distractions that come out the woodwork to stop your success even if they are the minor victories of the day. It’s pretty ironic that the thing I have a sincere strong passion to can at times be a dedicated distraction to my growth and that would be television. I know that I have purpose in this arena because I feel the utmost joy talking about and connecting to other people that share a joy for the behind the scenes process of television. And I know God used a major distraction unbeknownst to me as a step in the right direction today. One thing I love about television is how influential the medium is as a whole. These characters that you grow with and invest your time into, can shape the nuances of life for you and even help you decide your own view on situations that you never would have thought about due to your circumstances. Well I decided to finish binge watching a series on BET called “Twenties” a series that chronicles the story of Hattie a black writer trying to make it in the entertainment industry with her writing gift. Her and I share some similar traits. We are both interested in making it into the industry and know our passions but haven’t put in any work to show for it. It’s like we have this crystal clear image of our work being appreciated and respected but could never put it altogether. We have a mountain of excuses explaining why we don’t have any material or why our careers aren’t at the place we want them to be. However, something she embraced towards the end of season one that I am still in the beginning stages of grasping are the discipline and opportunity making you have to be willing to put in to fully capitalize on your dream. I love to write but I have a massive fear. A fear of failing, a fear of putting my work out on display to be judged and receiving negative reception on it. Being humiliated by some blog or review site because they consider my critical thinking piece or what I thought was a riveting script to be a mockery or a joke of human nature. So instead of writing I would watch others write, I would watch my other friends cultivate their talents and manifest their dreams into reality. Eventually I got tired of waiting around.
I’m still working to determine how my work fits into God’s plan for my life, but I know that execution is just as important as the faith. So I’ve started writing think pieces, opinions, ideas, anything that surrounds my brain space is written down or typed up for my viewing pleasure. But investing in yourself is not simply writing an amazing piece and keeping it to yourself but putting out your genius to the world for them to develop their own opinions and make due with the information that you provided. One thing that I am definitely trying to become more conscious of is my environment, not necessarily the physical location although that is crucial as well. Moreso, the people I surround myself with. Who I let into my life and what I decide to allow for my life. I have great friends and some are needed for particular moments where others would not dare tread the waters.
One group that I would like to expand on are television lovers like me. I’ve only had one friend that I felt match my television energy and that was Michael Ramdass from middle school. We could laugh at and discuss the various art of the creator Dan Schneider and how his style plays out over the many series he has created and written for Nickelodeon. I would love to be around different writers of all colors and stories to get a wide eyed perspective but, I would specifically love writers of my own tribe to elevate and tell stories with. Sometimes I feel as though I’m weird compared to my friends with my massive love for television. However, I begin to think to myself that while it can be a distraction it takes discipline to learn all these facts, and styles, and tropes of television. It takes discipline to learn the story arc, and structures and their purpose for enhancing a story. It takes discipline to appreciate how critical The Bernie Mac Show is in making the development of the single camera comedy. So while these things may function as distractions at varying times I still have found a beauty and significance to gain from these times even if it was simply for leisure. Now it’s finally time to take journalism and script writing seriously and get to what I want to do. Speak on what I have to say. And incorporate God’s direction in what I am trying to convey. So it’s time to put down the phone, crack upon them books and youtube videos and get the process started. And the best part is I can study by watching even more television! God I promise I won’t forget where I come from you have a strong sense of humbling the ones that do. And let me flat out write. How else are these Emmys going to come into fruition if I don’t make them happen?
