“Get a good job with benefits,” are the words of wisdom often shared with me while growing up. So! After college, I got a good job with benefits. Within a year of graduating from college with a degree in Computer Science and starting my new career as a Programmer Analyst making a relatively lucrative salary – with benefits, I found myself leaving work early on the verge of a nervous breakdown. “This can’t be it,” I thought frantically to myself. Before that day, life had happened just as I planned – graduate from high school, go to college, graduate from college, get a good job – with benefits. What next? I had absolutely no idea. I knew that I was very unhappy in my career and I had the urge to make a difference in the world not really knowing how.
Though my BFF, Daphne and I were 500 miles apart with her in Mobile, AL and I in Knoxville, TN, she and I made sure that we’d call each other every Saturday which became known as our “Saturday Talks”. We would spend hours on the phone sharing our thoughts, dreams, and aspirations of wanting to do more than what we were currently doing. We knew life had to offer more than the typical 8-5 job and neither of us could imagine living the rest of our lives in this manner. we would always leave the call inspired and ready to do something. Daphne is by far one of the most musically talented people on the face of this earth so likely she would do something in music. Me, well, I was a good listener or at least that’s all I could think of as my talent. Oh yes, I like to motivate people, too.
Ten years after graduating from college, I am now living in Dallas, TX working in a good job with benefits….still miserable. However, the difference today is I now know where my passion lies. I am aspiring to be a motivational speaker and author focused on empowering women to lead more fulfilling lives. Unfortunately, like Daphne, I have sat on my dream and opted to continue on the wrong path. Well, I tell you, “NO MORE”! I can no longer deny myself the opportunity that I am wanting other women to achieve. As a result, Daphne and I came up with the idea of the BFF Dream Catcher blog. The goal is to inspire others on similar paths while holding us accountable not only to each other but to those of you who will follow us on this journey.
- Tonya
Friday, October 9, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
"The ideal life"
For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of having the "ideal life." For me, this life consists of God, family, happiness, and tangible goals that are set and accomplished. I guess I should begin telling my story now. Upon entering college, I met my best friend for life. It's crazy, because we had actually gone to high school together , and kindergarten too. Still, we didn't connect until college. During this time, we both realized that we had high hopes in life and seemingly "outlandish" dreams. While we didn't necessarily want to take over the world, our dreams were pretty close to that. You would think that someone with such big dreams would have a carefully planned strategy, but this was not the case. Neither of us knew exactly what we wanted to do. We only knew that it had to be huge.
Hence, immediately following college, we both found good, stable jobs. I was so proud of myself. I was living the dream....right? Wrong! My euphoria lasted for about 5 years. Then, I began to look around and wonder exactly what I'd accomplished. By this time, I was finally able to pinpoint my passion:music. However, I was trapped in this job-this good, stable job. I couldn't imagine telling my parents that I was not happy in my position. Furthermore, I could never tell them that I wanted to quit my job, in hopes of pursuing a career in music. This was unheard of and deemed unacceptable, so I suffered along for 3 more years, until I couldn't bear it any longer. My job became simply a means to an end, 8 hours of the cruelest, grueling torture. Finally, after I couldn't take anymore, I received a life-changing revelation: Don't miss your turn. I realized that there are millions of unhappy people in the world today, and many of these people are not reaping the effects of taking a wrong turn in life; they simply never had the courage to turn onto a road that could possibly promise greater opportunity. Instead, they played it safe and continued to travel the road that ultimately leads to disappointment. My revelation was definitely from God; it was so clear and undeniable. Thus, action was necessary.
With my new revelation in tow, it was time to confront my parents. Surprisingly, they understood and were very supportive. After much prayer, I determined that my next move would be to Dallas, TX, which brings me to the present. While I am still determined to accomplish my ultimate goal-to become a songwriter and producer, I often find myself at a standstill. There are times when I am not doing anything at all. I am amazed that I sincerely yearn to live my dreams, yet most days, I don't take a step in that direction at all. Hence, this blog will be very helpful for me. BFF dreamcatchers will help me to be accountable. I plan to blog primarily about my actions, not simply my ideals and dreams. All who visit this site are welcome to pose questions about my progress, and present ideas to assist in my advancement.
Looking back, I realize that music has always been a huge part of my life. As early as 2nd grade, I was writing songs. My peers would ask me to sing, and because I didn't want to sing a gospel song all of the time, I'd make up a song and claim that I'd heard it on a secular artist's album. Few people know how it feels to attempt to focus on a task, but to no avail, due to the songs that are constantly playing in their head. I do and I am determined to get them out of my head and into the world. Someone needs to hear it. And while it may be only one person now, there is a possiblity that my voice and my songs could reach into the future and affect millions. Nevertheless, someone out there needs to hear what I have to say...
-Daphne
Hence, immediately following college, we both found good, stable jobs. I was so proud of myself. I was living the dream....right? Wrong! My euphoria lasted for about 5 years. Then, I began to look around and wonder exactly what I'd accomplished. By this time, I was finally able to pinpoint my passion:music. However, I was trapped in this job-this good, stable job. I couldn't imagine telling my parents that I was not happy in my position. Furthermore, I could never tell them that I wanted to quit my job, in hopes of pursuing a career in music. This was unheard of and deemed unacceptable, so I suffered along for 3 more years, until I couldn't bear it any longer. My job became simply a means to an end, 8 hours of the cruelest, grueling torture. Finally, after I couldn't take anymore, I received a life-changing revelation: Don't miss your turn. I realized that there are millions of unhappy people in the world today, and many of these people are not reaping the effects of taking a wrong turn in life; they simply never had the courage to turn onto a road that could possibly promise greater opportunity. Instead, they played it safe and continued to travel the road that ultimately leads to disappointment. My revelation was definitely from God; it was so clear and undeniable. Thus, action was necessary.
With my new revelation in tow, it was time to confront my parents. Surprisingly, they understood and were very supportive. After much prayer, I determined that my next move would be to Dallas, TX, which brings me to the present. While I am still determined to accomplish my ultimate goal-to become a songwriter and producer, I often find myself at a standstill. There are times when I am not doing anything at all. I am amazed that I sincerely yearn to live my dreams, yet most days, I don't take a step in that direction at all. Hence, this blog will be very helpful for me. BFF dreamcatchers will help me to be accountable. I plan to blog primarily about my actions, not simply my ideals and dreams. All who visit this site are welcome to pose questions about my progress, and present ideas to assist in my advancement.
Looking back, I realize that music has always been a huge part of my life. As early as 2nd grade, I was writing songs. My peers would ask me to sing, and because I didn't want to sing a gospel song all of the time, I'd make up a song and claim that I'd heard it on a secular artist's album. Few people know how it feels to attempt to focus on a task, but to no avail, due to the songs that are constantly playing in their head. I do and I am determined to get them out of my head and into the world. Someone needs to hear it. And while it may be only one person now, there is a possiblity that my voice and my songs could reach into the future and affect millions. Nevertheless, someone out there needs to hear what I have to say...
-Daphne
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