Confessions of a Single Parent (Actress)

As many of you know, I have the honored privilege of being a substitute teacher during my down time. This is just a sarcastic way of saying, "Thank goodness I still have my state teaching certificate. My rent thanks you.LOL!" Each time I strike up a real conversation with a student that is not related to a subject, an assignment, or behavior, I always hear that the boys have aspirations to play for the NFL or the NBA. And many of the girls want to be a nurse, singer, or model. No one has fully realized or even begun to ponder the idea of rejection or failure. And there are many that simply have no dreams whatsoever. Now I know that this sounds depressing. But, when I ask Student A what steps has he or she taken to be in the NBA or a model. I get this response: "Ummm, well I am playing on the team here." (How often do you practice outside of school?) "Well, I don't have to because we have practice here (Have you been in any fashion shows?) "Not really...

The holiday season is a very reflective time for me. Each year I create a list of goals that will improve my life as an actress. In the midst of financial uncertainty, I make a bolder and riskier list every year. There are some days that I barely have enough to maintain a roof over my head and put food on the table, but the money always comes and it reminds me that I am not on this path alone. God is with every step of the way and when I feel the most vulnerable He is carrying me. This season ushers in the birth of Jesus Christ, his most beloved. The birth of a child who is destined to change the world. The birth of a child who will save us all. And even after death and resurrection He continues to save us from ourselves and each other time and time again. The power of this season reminds me that anything is possible with God. My Christmas testimony is that I continue to be thankful that I have a mother and family that continue to support me on this crazy hectic, stressful, but bea...

How much rejection can one person take? Not hearing anything after an audition. Not getting the job after a callback. Sending out resumes to only get the basic rejection email for each and every one, regardless of your education, talent, and experience. Meeting someone thinking that this may be the person who will end your singlehood, but then they reject you. Or you refuse to bend over backwards for someone who is not worthy of a fraction of your time or energy. No returned phone calls. No interest. No leads. No work for a looong time. Society rejecting your hair, your intellect, your personality, your beliefs, and your passion. How much of this can one person take before they climb the highest cliff and willingly leap off? The pain from the jump has to be better than the pain that comes each and every time rejection happens. One of my dear friends posted the following on FB: “Rejection is hard. At any level, in any profession, at any stage in life rejection is hard. It hurts...