Finally Here!
Scrambling after procrastinating like I normally do, I’m finally at the point of my dream becoming a reality. I visualized this moment for decades. I just did not know how I would get to this place. This place of accomplishment. I’ve accomplished other things before so I don’t want to come across disingenuous, but this is really a childhood dream that I fought to keep alive for a very long time. We all have ups and downs in our lives and although our valleys and peaks may vary, we can all agree that life will often get in the way. “Keep going”, “don’t give up”, and my personal favorite, “stay positive” are what those in your corner repeatedly command you to do. Even though they themselves have given up on every goal that they manifested.
Honestly, they’re correct and it’s great advice. A bit cliche, but still relevant and true. My 4th grade teacher Mrs. Gutierrez couldn’t stand me whatsoever. She said to me one day that one day, I will pay her a visit. Somewhere in my 30’s or 40’s, fat, bald, unemployed and broke. Saying that I would tell her that she was right and I grew up to be a bum. Ouch! Not gonna lie, that hurt. That cut deep. She was one of many in my life that counted me out. Assuming that I was lesser than what I was because I was to ambitious and opinionated. I was going to prove them all wrong. And at that moment in the spring of 1992, I decided that I would tap into what made me great, my imagination. Poetry, short stories or whatever I needed to get off my chest, I wrote my heart away.
Fast forward to present day, my escape felt like a burden. After three decades of illustrating my thoughts, writing became a chore and not a hobby. What happened? When did I become a drone to my own interests? I was lost. Writer’s block is a serious challenge, as is life itself. Professional and personal difficulties along with a few physical set backs (temporary blindness in my right eye) really took its toll on my spirit. However, my spirit may have been bent, but it was never broken. I dug deep and locked in on creating new stories and built up enough content that I decided it was finally time to share my work. I’m not a hoarder, but I can be a creative pack rat. People who are aware of my passion for writing will ask “where can I find your work?” Almost confused I would name numerous platforms, hoping they are familiar with said outlets. This time, I can proudly inform those who ask about my work, that they can check out Dope Since 82.
Life is going to life and there are no exemptions when dealing with unexpected challenges thrown your way. I’m 43 years old and somedays I feel like I wasted most of my life by not putting myself out where I needed to go, to get to where I ultimately want to be. On the flip side, I’m grateful to have a gift and an obsession to create dope art. In closing, my journey thus far has shown me that while I may have taken a detour on my way to accomplishing my dreams, It’s never too late to show the world who you are and what you represent. Hard times are fleeting and they shall pass, but remember, stay committed, keep going, don’t give up and stay positive. Always good advice.