I adore film (and I'm looking forward to doing television!) however there is nothing like being on stage. I'm currently in a play called Torn: The Willie Lynch Letter. It's a fantastic show by writer Jermaine Harris, that juxtaposes the ramifications of Willie Lynch's letter in 1712, when it was written, against the post traumatic slavery disorder faced in the African American community 300 years later, in 2012. 

We opened today, for a high school nonetheless. I must say that Jordan High School in Long Beach has one of the best auditoriums I've ever performed in. I was amazed at the professional grade and quality....it was even better than what we had at Arts Magnet, when I was there. While performing at high schools wasn't necessarily on my bucket list, I LOVE the fact that I'm able to give back to the community by sharing such a dynamic story and history with the students. In fact, Wednesday, the writer, a few of my cast mates and I went to different classes and spoke with the students about varying issues. 

What I told them, and what I'll share here, is that I find that life is entirely too short not to be doing what you love. If you think about it, you spend at least half of your 24 hour day preparing for, commuting to and participating in work. That's entirely too much time to dedicate to something you don't absolutely love. While dreams often take time and persistence to become reality, I wholeheartedly believe that the three essential steps to getting there are:

1.) Figure out what you want to do. This takes time, but boy is it worth it. A lot of times people ask what you want to be, and that's fine and all, but I think figuring out what you want to do is far more important. For example, I've always wanted to be an actress. I've worked on various projects, so I can now call myself an actress......but, more than that, I want to act.....everyday (or something close to that)....so that's where my focus should be; not on what I want to be, but what I want to do....I hope that makes sense.....

 

2.) Figure out what you need to do to do what you want to do. Now more than ever, the amount of resources we have are astounding. There's no excuse for not taking the time to research the necessary steps to do what you want to do. Find people who currently do it and reach out to them; search the internet. The only limits you have are those of your own imagination. 

 

3.) Do it. As cliche as we tend to think of it now, Nike really had something with their slogan "Just Do it." It's not enough knowing what to do. Take action. Do it. Take that first step.....and know that it will not be easy. Will Smith tells a great story about how his father tore down the brick wall in front of his store and made he and his brother rebuild the wall......the thing is, if you look at all the bricks and think, "man, this is impossible," it will be. But if you take each brick and place it in it's respective place, one by one, building on the other, sooner or later, you will have your wall. It's no different with reaching your destiny. Take it one brick at a time. 

Be fearless! Walk into your destiny and LOVE YOUR LIFE!!!!

Stay blessed,

Sequoia

This past weekend, upon leaving rehearsal for a play, I got into a little altercation with one of my cast mates. I asked him, what to me was, a VERY simple question, and he took offense to it. He pulled one of those kitchen sink arguments so prevalent in female culture. You know the ones where you start arguing about one small thing and before you know it, the whole relationship is in question?....Yea, that kind of altercation. 

 

The argument got so heated that I wound up calling him a “jack-a**” and telling him not to ever worry about me saying anything else to him again. EVER… before storming off in an Academy Award winning dramatic performance, rivaled only by that of Angela Basset in Waiting to Exhale. As I reflected over the events of the afternoon I thought of that good old adage “Never argue with a fool, because from a distance no one can tell the difference.” Boy did we both look and act foolish.

 

When I came home, after watching Whitney’s home-going celebration, I read my bible. I was immediately led to James 1:19-21, which states:

 

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Every man should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

 

So you know I applauded myself for being slow to anger…because, afterall, he was the one who started the whole thing. How he interprets information is not my responsibility, nor is it my concern…he had no right to start with me. He should really humble himself. But then, as God always does, He gently led me to another scripture, Ephesians 4:1-3:

 

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

 

BUT…!!!! *sigh* Alright Lord. I hear you. Although I am not the one who started the altercation, my job as a witness for God is to be COMPLETELY humble and gentle and make EVERY effort to keep the unity. Had I done that? No. Granted, he made it quite challenging to be peaceful, but I should have held myself to a higher standard. That’s the thing about life’s lessons. They don’t require that you always make the right choices…they give you an opportunity to learn from the wrong ones.

 

I took a few minutes to craft my cast mate an e-mail, apologizing for anything I had said or done that rubbed him the wrong way and quoted Ephesians 4:1-3, listing it as an example we should live by. As you have probably learned by now, I do not in any way, form or fashion believe that I did anything worth apologizing for, however if I am to be a witness for God…the only bible some people will ever read…it is important that I put my personal feelings about the situation behind me, and obey God’s word by trying to keep the peace. We have to remember that sometimes it’s not about you, but God’s work in/through you.

 

Now, my cast mate has not responded to or acknowledged my e-mail. I don’t know if he even received it, but I have solace in the fact that I was obedient to God’s word.  I am one step closer to living the righteous life that God desires. Whether or not my cast mate forgives me, apologizes for his actions or seeks to further discord when we see each other at rehearsal is beyond me. It is not my job to be concerned about what man does or says but to be consumed by what God does and says. 

 

I know this is a long note, but I hope that this message, and my experience, has blessed you. I look forward to chatting further with anyone who might be interested. I pray that we all commit to holding ourselves to a higher standard, and living out what God says, despite what the world tries to bring out of us. 

 

Peace and blessings,

 

Sequoia

Today was a roller coaster ride. My mom woke me up early and we went out running errands and having a fun "girl's day out." We had a blast. We found ourselves at this spa that focuses on cleansing, internal health and wellness. A typical "proud mom," my mother told the owner how "awesome" I am and began talking about my film, What Things May Come as though she were making an argument to the academy for it to receive an Oscar. Impressed, the lady asked me to come on her talk show tomorrow. High on life, we left and went to get some BBQ...I mean, if you're getting a detox the next day you might as well get it in, right? Lol I was talking to the owner about natural haircare products when I get a phone call from my property mgmt company. They called me at nearly 1pm to tell me that while the cleaning company was at my house the day before, they had the doors open and my cat got out of the house. I was (and still am) devastated. Aside by a quick trip to the vet, Athena had never been out of the house in her entire life. Now, she's out in the world alone trying to fend for herself....plus, she's declawed. To make matters worse, I'm in DC visiting my mom so there's absolutely nothing I can do. I can't even put into words how absolutely and amazingly horrible I feel. As soon as I get back from DC I'm moving to LA....what happens if she comes home and I'm all the way across the country? :( The ONLY consolation I have is that I have an amazing boyfriend. Not only has he made a point to regularly check on me to see how I'm doing, he went out of his way to go to my house and look for her. I didnt even have to ask him to do that. He did it on his own. He even went to the shelter for me to see if someone brought her in. Anyone can tell you they care about you....what makes all the difference is how they show you. I was planning to take Athena with me to LA and leave Prince (my yorkie) with friends here in the DC area. I guess the universe had other plans. I immediately went to get my dog. I couldn't stand the thought of losing them both. My prayer is that my baby is out there safe and sound...that, worst case scenario, someone found her, loved her and wanted to keep her and give her a fantastic home. Haunting thoughts have entered my head all day, but I'll continue to work on keeping it positive. I love you Athena! Stay safe my little princess.

So, I've been trying to keep it under wraps, but the closer I get to "M" day, the more excited I get. I'm moving to Los Angeles! Finally taking God up on his offer to grant me his PERFECT provision. No longer doubting, questioning or second guessing myself or His plan for my life. I'm stepping out on faith and doing what I know I have been purposed to do.....and that's an amazing feeling. I'm obviously not good at keeping up with my blog, but I'll try my best to chronicle my journey...

Goal for today: Finish cleaning my house....so I can hire cleaners to come in and clean it some more lol

My love song to LA lol