Following Your Dreams

Dear Poppy Seed,

Maybe you are doing what you always wanted to do with your life, maybe not. Only you know. The truth is, dreams are wonderful in a lot of ways. They keep you going through the day and they keep you entertained at night. In your dreams you can be an astronaut, judge, Native American Tribal Chief. Whatever. And when the alarm sounds you are back to reality. However there are some of you reading, some of you that follow me, that want to make your dreams a reality. That is a wonderful thing. It is also a scary thing too.

The beautiful thing about dreams is that everything goes well in dream land. You win the man or woman. You get the gold. You receive the Oscar beating out Daniel Day Lewis or Meryl Streep. You perform alongside Lady Gaga on MTV. And all goes smoothly. But reality isn’t so smooth. The man might turn out to be a liar. The woman might turn out to be crazy. You get heat stroke during training sessions and have a few bad races. You do a hundred auditions and never land a role. You perform a hundred gigs for three people and go home and watch MTV and cry. Reality bites.

But here is the thing, with blood, sweat, tears, and determination never to give up dreams come true. In 2010 I was living in a rain storm that didn’t seem to stop. A woman who I lived with that was like a sister lost her mind over a guy and moved out. A crazy dancer moved in and left me in a crazy way. In between I had money troubles. Not to mention I was at a club that worked me like a dog and cheated me despite my hardwork, talent, and past credits. In the words of Rodney Dangerfield, “I get no respect.”

I thought about throwing in the towel. Quitting forever. Going home and getting that provider husband and baby. Saying that I did the New York thing and after a while it wasn’t for me. I was about to give up my hard earned dreams and return to reality.

Well then I lost a dear friend of mine-Chacho-to drugs. With his passing, I thought of all the things he would have wanted for me. Chacho was always so proud whenever I ended up on TV or in print somewhere and would brag to no end. That’s when I decided I wasn’t letting my dreams go and would push harder and faster than ever. Within weeks of Chaco’s death I found my puppet children and I on TV. Some of it was fate, dumb luck, and of course the fact I am a puppet hoarder. We went on a press tour. The world saw I was passionate. I ended up getting fired from the hole that worked me to death. No matter. I got a job web hosting, made music, and published I Came, I Saw, I Sang. My life changed because I didn’t quit.

The beautiful thing about the comedy game is that everyone has different goals. Some people just want to do standup. Others want to act. Some want to write. Then there are those who end up as club owners and managers. The thing is, those who continue to run the race and finish not only finish together but end up working together.

That being said, know where you are going and focus on your game. As in don’t get jealous, do not covet. Every dog has their day. What is meant to be yours will be yours. And when someone gets something great, even though you feel it was meant for you, it might be the first and last big thing they get. It was meant for them, be happy. Because you would want them to be happy for you. Plus jealousy is a waste of time.

That being said, always remember to follow your heart and enjoy what you do, whatever it may be. Chase butterflies, look at trees, follow your dreams and don’t be afraid to wish upon a star every once in a great while. And remember following your dreams takes COURAGE! 

And as a side note, in following your dreams remember to change your socks, bathe, and wear clean underwear.

Just saying

Xoxoxo

Mama Foxxx

I Came, I Saw, I Sang: Memoirs of a Singing Telegram Delivery Girl

Available as a paperback on 877-Buy-Book, Amazon.com

Available as an ebook on Nook and Kindle

Audiobook available on itunes in Spring 2013

Portion of proceeds go to RAINN