Waiting is a game-Opportunity is a WIN:

Opportunity. As I sit at my desk, catching up on some much needed personal work, I came across this photo online. It resonated so much with me, mostly because we all can relate to the wait. Just saying that word alone, makes my mind race with a plethora of thoughts and feelings. Waiting is undoubtedly one of the most difficult things to do. I remember the days I spent growing more impatient with the process of constantly waiting. There are times I still struggle with obtaining enough patience to just get out of the way and trust that the Lord's timing is always perfect.

​There were times in my life where I had my phone strapped to my side everywhere I went, waiting for that one phone call. As an actor, there are countless submissions and auditions I've done and every single time, I would reach a place where I couldn't tolerate waiting for an answer. Am I gonna land that audition? Will I book the role? When is my agent going to contact me? So many concerns, thoughts and feelings that inevitably led to a constant experience of self-doubt, discouragement, demoted self-worth, and so much more. I realized I wasn't being fair to myself during those times where I'd allow people to dictate my career, aspirations and many of the things I listed above. When we wait on opportunity, it puts us in a position to be told we either are or are not good enough. This inspired me to go out and create opportunity for myself. If I can create work that I'm passionate about, work that has a positive message and exemplifies what I stand for, then I can actually have a hold over the things that seemed ever so distant. So what did I do? I began writing scripts. Pushing out any negative thought on how this wouldn't work, I simply sat myself at my desk whenever I could and from there, everything started to flow. I actually look forward to waking up everyday, knowing that there was something that stirred up the passion within me. In 2017, I held writing sessions with my team and we eventually finished our first independent feature film. In 2018, from summer to fall, I felt inspired to write an emotional drama film about grief. Finding myself at my desk yet again, I felt the same inspiration, passion, and love stirring up in me to just create-whatever that looked like. That was when my original short film "A Taste of Change," was born.

Sometimes we allow ourselves to become so stagnant when things don't go our way, or even when things simply aren't looking up for us. If people are telling you no, or there are doors that aren't opening for you, work on the right doors! Pave your own path to do what you love and stand in that specific lane in order to show people what you're capable of doing. Don't allow yourself to stay in the waiting game, make opportunity for yourself and go WIN. I'm officially on my 3rd original script and I can't tell you how happy it makes me. Being here was never an option, it was a choice. Although the odds were against me, there was a moment of pure bliss, where I no longer allowed my path to be dictated by the discouragement, rejection, and negative opinions of others. I had one thought: MAKE IT HAPPEN. When you are aware of what you carry inside, others will eventually witness and become convinced. Convince them with what you already knew! I admire the many latino artists that have gone before us and carved their own path, paving the way for us. There are people counting on us to that too.

Here are some key points that helped me along my journey and they still continue to:
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1.) Understand Who You Are!
You are amazing. You are gifted. You are beautifully and wonderfully made. Know your worth and speak positive affirmations to yourself.

2.) Understand Who's you are!
God hand crafted you in HIS image and bought you with a price. Act like it! Because we were made with a promise, we know we have purpose and destiny on this earth.

3.) Believe in What You Offer!
You have what it takes, you know you do! Stand confidently in what you carry inside. Don't allow fear to be a set back, allow it to become a stepping stone used to overcome. You were made for this.

4.) Step Out of Your Comfort Zone!
In order to show people that you have what it takes and more to pursue whatever your heart yearns for, sometimes you have to be willing to step outside of your comfort zone. For example, I wanted to be apart of a musical-given that it was one of my long-time goals as a performer. I was terrified to audition and sing in front of people. I took it as an opportunity to overcome my fear of musical theater. Not only did I have to sing for one audition but for another one, I had to go through a dance call audition that was so intense, but it was the most fun I have ever had. Was it easy? Absolutely not! Worth it? Yes! Even though It was probably the worst audition I’ve done, it meant the world to me that I made the courageous leap to get on that stage and take a step in the right direction to conquer my fears. A friend told me once, "Sometimes you have to trust fall with yourself and learn so you can grow!"

5.) Remain Open!
Life throws so much at us and when pursuing a career or dreams, things out of our control or even unexpected situations occur. Remain open and receptive.

6.) Promote Peace & Positivity!
Out of everything that is currently taking place in our nation right now, we could use more peace and positivity. What you give out is what you get in. Be peaceable and don't allow yourself to have a negative mindset in addition to negative words. God calls us to love like He does. It goes a LONG way!

7.) Be Decisive, But With Wisdom!
Be clear about your decisions. Have wisdom about the choices that have to be made for the opportunities that arise. Pray about everything so that you don't choose something that takes you on a detour. Have patience and faith that God ALWAYS has a plan and he most certainly knows what He's doing. He never fails, so seek Him for answers.

You got this!

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