The Road Less Traveled

Farewells are always bittersweet, however you look at them. I recall hearing an old mentor once telling me that you can probably say anything you wanted to someone you thought you might never see ever again. The Japanese have one of the most beautiful ways of saying goodbye. Sayonara, when literally translated, reads ‘Since it must be so.’ I love that. Not too much. Not too little. This particular farewell closes numerous chapters in my life and launches me into the next one. It will be a chapter that signifies-- in its own beautiful cliché-- the first day of the rest of my life. 

In just a few weeks, I’ll be celebrating another milestone.  It will be the 30th anniversary of the day I was born, and I will be that much closer to the other important day in my life – the day I discover why I was born. The very next day, I will be leaving Baltimore after 12 memorable years. These years have been filled with both joys and hardships.

This past year has been one of the most challenging, and at the same time, one of the most rewarding years of my life. I began to live life fully with the mindset that nothing would hold me back. This has opened doors and opportunities that many would dream of in a lifetime. I was ever so close to signing music contracts. I was ever so close to begin filming on a major TV music talent show on NBC. But much like so much that has happened throughout my entire life, God had other plans for me. With flights booked to be out in LA earlier this summer, trajectories changed and over the course of the past two months, things have lined up where I find myself, having quit my job, moving up to NYC in just a few weeks. This year has also had its fair share of failures, health problems, and even losing loved ones. But all these, for better or worse, are a part of life. I've grown from them. Learned from them and now, I'm fully prepared to boldly step forward to live out all the days of my life. 

I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you for either supporting me or challenging me to grow. I find myself at this very point in my life because of the evident love of people I am surrounded by both near and far. For those who have pushed me to pursue my passions, I thank you. For those who have told me I could never do it or that I’m not good enough or that it’s not worth the risk, thank you. For those who have supported my music in any way. For those who have challenged me or allowed me to challenge you. For those who have taken the time to connect with me a little bit deeper. Thank you.

It is truly exciting to imagine that the next chapter of my life will take place in NYC. I will be pursuing my passion for music as well as a couple other exciting new projects. While so much uncertainty lies ahead, I am certain of at least two things. I am loved and I am grateful.

Here’s to the road less traveled... since it must be so.