My first true loves were theater and writing. I studied both and early on, had thought to make a career out of one or both. Then I realized my desire for stability and need to plan made me not cut out for the role of starving artist. I love what I do now for a career and respect myself for the choices I made.

It is possible to develop new passions and new dreams. It is also possible to fulfill one interest while continuing to develop skills in other areas. After graduating from business school, a friend introduced me to community theater. It was perfect. I could still flourish in my marketing career while feeding my creative soul.

One of the first plays I was cast in was a terrible melodrama and the director was a despot. At the time, I questioned my decision to take this part. I was tired from working all day and I was not enjoying it. I’d like to say it got better when we opened but it didn’t.

However, I met some of the most wonderful people doing that play who have become lifelong friends and who have brought me into other productions that I am incredibly proud of and which renewed my energy and made me remember why I wanted to do it in the first place.

That’s the thing, when you say yes to something, even if you aren’t sure, it could just lead you to great things. 

“Trust your heart if the seas catch fire, live by love though the stars walk backward.” 

― E.E. Cummings