When I first told my friends I was going to Atlanta, I was met with lots of excitement. They would say, “I’m so proud of you!” or “I’m so happy for you!” and I’d stand there with an awkward smile and keep it moving. I didn’t get it. No one is coming to hear me speak on a panel. Not one person at Cocktails with Claire was coming to see me. They have no idea who I am and they probably have no clue that I’m a writer, let alone a Fashion Bomb Daily staff writer. This wasn’t a free trip. I volunteered to come. It wasn’t a glamorous trip either. I slept on the couch in my friend’s mother’s house. I flew in late Friday evening and left early Sunday morning yet, my friends were proud of me. I didn’t get it!
On Saturday I got dressed and headed out to the B Loft venue to help out. I watched in amazement as people came in eager and excited to meet Claire and the rest of the panel. One by one a panelist would walk in and the guests would swarm them. They’d request pictures, ask for advice or simply praise them for being fabulous. As the panel began, I listened to each woman talk about their moments of failure that lead up to their successes. Each panelist talked about working a job that they didn’t want to do. They spoke about stepping out on faith and landing in opportunities that aligned with their passion. That’s when it clicked to me; this trip was more than a nice gesture to volunteer. This was a way for me to step out on faith.
When you truly love what you do, it’ll never seem like work. It wasn’t until I listened to each panelist talk about how they pursued their dreams despite their circumstances, that I realized why my friends were so happy and proud of me. They recognized that with each event I attend or assist with, I’m taking a step closer to being who God is developing me to be. I still work a corporate job that is not in the fashion/journalism industry so each time I continue to step out on faith, I pull myself closer to my dreams. In the meantime, I appreciate being a small piece of the bigger picture. Volunteering at these events are second nature for me because I want to be in the presence of greatness.
By the end of the night, I realized I had zero pictures with the panelists (Why did I not stalk Marlo, Keri Hilson, Miss Diddy LA, Tameka Foster, Shun Melson and Shanti Das for photos?!) but I gained something greater than a photo; I felt at peace with myself. I received further confirmation when Claire came over to me with a big hug and said, “Thank you so much for all your help! It’ll all pay off!”
It will pay off. Not because Claire is my fairy godmother and will be there to make things happen, but because as long as your heart is 100% into what you do, you can’t fail! I say all that to say, if you want something, go get it. Do what you have to do to make it happen. I aspire to sit on a panel one day and tell this very story to inspire others. Everyone has a stepping stone; here’s mine.
XOXO – Marsha B.
