Inspire.

Lately, I have been super inspired to read and look and listen and watch and observe everything. To really take it all in and open myself up to every opportunity for more knowledge and information. I know there'll be people out there scoffing like, duh, that's life. True, but don't we all get so caught up in our own little worlds?

I love having that creative availability to really just expand and rather than feel overwhelmed by everything that's out there, to feel bolstered by it, to want to enjoy it and eventually (hopefully) build on it. What's been getting me going lately?

Well, firstly, it's really a who. Once you start reading about one person it's like YouTubing cat videos, before I know it two hours have passed, I have 50 tabs open on my laptop and a dead leg from not having moved in 2 hours. I was scrolling through my newly revamped Twitter feed (long overdue) and saw Lena Dunham (#1) post a New York Times article by Miranda July (#2) about Rihanna (#3). This led, in approximate order into the following use of internet time stalking:

#4 - Tavi Gevinson



#5 - Taylor Swift
#6 - Karlie Kloss
#7 - Oprah Winfrey
#8 - Warren Buffett
#9 - Bill Gates
#10 - J.K. Rowling (from Bill Gates? I know, don't ask me, obscure connection)
#11 - Serena Williams
#12 - Carissa Moore


#13 - Stephanie Gilmore
#14 - Gigi Hadid
#15 - Shonda Rhimes

It's super overwhelming to feel in awe of such a wonderfully, talented, beautiful, successful, wealthy list of people (mostly women!) but instead of feeling belittled or intimidated, I felt really inspired, excited; I felt confident. Their success doesn't lessen the opportunity for others and certainly doesn't make a smaller gap in the market for others to join. If anything, I think it opens it.

I was watching an episode of X Factor the other night (I hear what you're thinking there!) and one contestant was nervous during boot camp. She got to the stage in front of the judges and told them the talent so far was so good, and she was therefore anxious. Simon, ever the comforter, told her that's reality. The show is representative of the real world of show business, especially the music industry, where competing against every other talented, ambitious, driven artist is normal. Her face said, "thanks for the boost in confidence, Simon".

Unfortunately, he was right. It's also accurate in the larger, broader sense. Technically we are all on our own version of bad reality TV because we are competing against every other person in the world. Yes, it's frightening, but it's also exciting. There is so much opportunity. If we are good at what we do, if we are determined to succeed, if we put everything we have and more into it, it is within our reach to achieve it, regardless of others who strive alongside us. There is not a limited number of spots. There is no barrier, no formula, no route. There is no finish line. But the journey is there, the path lies ahead and it may be busy, but that doesn't make it any less possible to do well.

See every chance as an opportunity, every person as a source of information; see knowledge and advice everywhere. See chance. Seek happiness. Follow YOUR journey.