Proud of my experience, and excited for the future

As I sat in a panel of the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival, celebrating Women and Diversity in Film, I saw a variety of film industry personalities on stage. They were "experts" in the field but came from many paths. One being the president of DreamWorks, and another being a media writer. Some might judge their success against the other. And some might ache for their own story to be someone's on the stage.  But I was thankful that it helped me reflect on my own 10 years of industry work. 

Each person on that stage was proud of where they were and what they had accomplished. We all should be so proud, and it helped me recognize confidence in my own story and path in this industry. The path I have taken is not what I thought it would be, but it has been phenomenal, with experiences I never could have planned, people I never expected to meet and work with, and pressing my creative juices in new ways all the time. 

I have worked on projects for ESPN, Golf Channel and Outdoor Channel. I have met amazing sports heroes, including the late Arnold Palmer. I have traveled for production to New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, Phoenix, Sacramento, London and Dubai. I have worked in the Empire State Building and climbed to the top of the Burj Khalifa. Most of all, I have worked with fantastic people along the way and learned from each of them. 

Have I made a big name for myself? Not by the world's standards or even the industry's standards. But I have learned the value of finding ways to explore and use my creativity, while also valuing family. Along with those extravagant experiences, I have also been able to have a husband, two sons. I have been able to walk alongside my husband through seminary and church planting. 

Does this mean I coast? Never. Many 30-somethings have had conversations with me, feeling that their story is complete, they have missed their time for new adventures and they are set in their career path. Do you realize, a 30-something has the potential of 30 more years in the workforce?! That is a long time! Pause and think about that.... And in that time your career may change much, and you may do more education. And maybe you can take what you have learned from the first 10+ years of working, and now be creative in how you use and pursue the next multiple decades. 

This revelation put a fire under me to be passionate about what I'm doing, and to continue to dream big. I can still have dreams. I can still pursue new things, new paths in this industry, and continue to develop what I have started and what I have been given so far.