by Skye Parrott

Tomorrow is my birthday. I am older than I wish to be, younger than I feel, and less tangibly successful than I’d imagined. 

I have more than I ever wanted, feel prettier than the models I lusted to become, am more full with love than anyone deserves, and know God more deeply than I did yesterday. 

When I moved to Los Angeles I was surrounded by emotional cheerleaders; people that “knew” my dreams would come true. As the years go on my cheering section has quieted a bit, making suggestions with their dismissive thoughts (”Maybe life isn’t what you think it should be. Maybe you can teach acting.”) Whoever around me loses faith I instantly distance myself from, but sometimes their words linger. Not that I believe them, no. But the realization that some people perceive mid-twenty-somes washed up in this town before they’ve even jumped in the ocean has had a profound effect on my confidence. 

Tomorrow, however, I pledge to myself this. Regardless of my past flaws and my swayed emotions I will continue to believe in the gifts that I have. I don’t need life to look a specific way, but I need to be joyful and draw joyful people unto myself continually. Even if I am the only one that stands (which is an impossibility with people like Drew, Kim, Kelley, Tara, Deneen, and my family standing as well) I will stand. I will grant myself the permission to relax and thoroughly enjoy the moments. I will allow the thoughts and stories to spill from my mind onto paper and be open to where that will take me. I will allow myself to be 26, void of shame or depression because everything is and will be fine. Even more than fine. Life is, and will continue to be, spectacular.

Success is continually happening and continually on its way all at once.