“Changes Come Around Real Soon, Make Us Women And Men”
I know the song is talking about moving from childhood into adulthood, but lately I can’t get the lyrics out of my head. Since we don’t stop growing after the onset of adulthood, to me, it means any significant change that forces us to shift.
I am shifting…
As I stated in a previous blog, I recently resigned my job. It was a well paying job, but circumstances forced me to quit. And I don’t regret it for a moment. I need to go back in time for just a bit…
Four years ago, my best friend committed suicide. He left himself for me to find. I was the only person who had keys to his apartment. We talked or saw each other everyday for 19 years. We had been a couple earlier in our relationship, but realized we were better off friends, best friends. When he passed away, I crawled into bed. A friend of mine got me out of bed to produce his short film. Thank you Ka’ramuu Kush. Yet somehow producing didn’t hold the same joy anymore. I started teaching film school and I loved it! More than that, I was really REALLY good at it. I loved my students. I still do. I keep in touch with many of them. When I left they made me videos and gave me personal notes to show me that I made a difference in their lives. I was recently at my alma mater, The American Film Institute and ran into students for whom I had written recommendations. I had made an impact.
But the time came for me to move on; the time came for a new … shift. I went back to producing projects of my own. Projects I actually own. Back to raising funds. This life is not for the faint of heart, but with this shift has come immeasurable satisfaction. I want to teach again, but not full time. Teaching and mentoring are parts of me. But I am a Producer. And I have rediscovered the pleasure I once thought was gone forever.
Shift…
So here I am, working on my own stuff and what pops up in my e-mail but an invitation to Fashion Week Los Angeles. Me? Really? Interesting… Something I don’t tell people, I was a child model for Lane Bryant. Yup, I was a chubby kid and I still am. But I digress. I have always loved clothes. I mean LOVED clothes. When I was teaching, as a woman of color, I knew my students looked to me to see not only how to carry oneself as a woman in a male dominated industry, but also, yes how to dress. I took and still take that responsibility seriously. I believe in being true to oneself and having style. I have learned how to accentuate the positive. Imagine my surprise at getting an invitation to the event. How? Why? Who cares? I’m going! I am taking one of my matriculated students to be my photographer and videographer. Laura and I will have the best time!
Next month, I am going to post all about Fashion Week Los Angeles and share photos and videos. I am going to show just how awesome life can be even when you aren’t quite sure where it is taking you.
So this blog is dedicated to all the people especially women out there who need to, you guessed it … shift.
Until next month … Seize the Day!