Tangspiration: We are who we are.

Hey Everyone,

11

This is for everybody who feels like they’re on the edge about whether they should go ahead and do what they love or they should just conform. I’ve been exactly where you are. I just wanted to tell you to hold on to your dreams. Find something you love and hold on tight because that very thing that you love doing is exactly what the rest of the world is hunting for. It’s called your purpose. And man, you just found yours. Take it, make something out of it and I believe you’ll feel like you haven’t worked a day in your life.

I remember my moment. I was in the boardroom of another meeting. Moments before I got a call from Mediacorp to film on ToggleTV and seeing that I started filming by stacking a bunch of books and a tissue box ontop of each other, you could probably guess I was pretty stoked. I was in this job because the rest of the world was telling me that I couldn’t do it. I wouldn’t be able to pay for this bill or the next. I wouldn’t be able to have this or that. Then there was this opportunity and it was like to be honest, a dream come true. My boss was blabbering away and I just looked out the window and stared at the church right in front of me. Then I thought – man, God really gave me so much. He keeps blessing me. Why would God give me so much stuff. He must have something planned. At that stage, I was already texting my boyfriend that I wanted to quit. I quit that day with you could call it not the best farewell. I had to do it though. I’ve always known and felt since I was little that I was meant for something bigger. I just didn’t know what it was.

If by reading that, you didn’t think it took a lot of guts for me to do it, you’re wrong. Let’s amplify that by ten or twenty. That’s how I felt. It’s hard when the world keeps telling you no, but your hearts says yes. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself and ignore the people who are trying to run your life for you especially if they’re pulling you down. They aren’t you so chances are they don’t really understand what it’s like living, breathing what you love. It’s between you and God and nobody else. Because it’s your life and the least you can do is hold onto what you’re here for.

But make sure you’re sure. Sometimes we hit brick walls. Sometimes we hit pot holes. You just have to make sure that whatever you’re doing, you’re always going to make sure that you find a way out. You’re not just going to get back in the car and reverse and drive back. You’re gonna get a hammer and start hammering away. That’s how much you gotta want it. That’s when you know you’re sure.

So fast forward to today. Almost everywhere I go, I’m lugging a small black suitcase around full of make-up. My hair tools are in there, my brushes, foundations. You know the drill. And while I’m heaving it around up the stairs, on the sidewalk, up and down curbs. Looking like I’m on a constant holiday. I thought to myself that man, I’m happy because I am who I am. I am who I am. You either take it or leave it. Who cares if I look stupid lugging this around. I am who I am. I’m a make-up artist. Take it or leave it. This is who I am. We are who we are. And even though I might not be making as much as I would be at a desk – even though I had to start from scratch at square one – even though I have to work for free sometimes to get my name out – even though this suitcase is freakin’ heavy. You know what, this is who I am. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Love,
Roseanne