2. 12 LESSONS LEARNED
1. Stay positive but not in denial
2. Make everything fun
3. Dream Big
4. Dare to be different
5. Learn from others
6. Problems vs. Challenges
7. Acceptance
8. Make Mistakes
9. Leadership
10. Be good at something
11. Feedback and Criticism
12. Have Specific Goals and Dreams
3. For the longest I wanted to be a
filmmaker. Writing scripts, being
behind the camera, casting, and
anything involving film completely
fascinates me. If I had a chance to
choose my career then I would
definitely chase this dream.
Unfortunately this dream does not
guarantee a job after graduation
and a single mother can’t afford to
be without a job. Motherhood and
responsibility deterred me from my
dream but I am still forever grateful
for my son. I know I will never be
able to dedicate myself fully to my
dream but in the meantime I do
create animated works while being
a mother, student, and employee! I
am not in denial that it isn’t fully my
dream but I am close to it.
STAY POSITIVE BUT NOT IN DENIAL
4. MAKE EVERYTHING FUN
Randy made a lecture fun. Sounds impossible, right? Incorrect. We can make everything fun if
we step outside of the norm. Who says you can’t mix 20 different sodas as an adult? Who says
that popping bubble plastic is a thing of the past? If we can make those things fun then we can
make anything entertaining. Try coming up with songs and jingles at work while doing your daily
routine. Act out a movie scene while cleaning up your house. Hygiene can even be fun. Did you
know that toothbrushes and hairbrushes are great microphones!! Embrace life. I know this
sounds cliché but “Carpe Diem” should be your everyday motto.
5. DREAM BIG
Surprisingly, film was not my first love. My first love was ballet. I was
told early on by a ballet instructor that I would never be a dancer
because I was too “puffy”. My size hindered me from ever getting
close to my childhood dream of being a classical ballerina. The
key word is “hindered”. Though my physique was not made for
classical ballet it was definitely made for jazz. I went on to
become a jazz and hip hop dancer throughout my grade school
years!
6. DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Choose to see things differently and take any light bulb moment of truth to change
the story you've created. To get help. To share yourself. To move from fear to
love, from insecure to joyful, from ill will to well wishes. You can choose in this
moment to open yourself up to the possibility of being happier today than you
were yesterday, to be the change necessary so you are delivered from whatever
your current circumstance into peace and Love. Simply by choosing to be
awake.
