About a month ago, my therapist (shout out to Miko @ 3HC!) asked me a simple yet thought-provoking question: “What are you passionate about?”  My answer (after much thought) was:  “I don’t know.”

More recently, Lisa, a certified hypnotherapist I met at my local chamber of commerce, asked me the same question in a different format: “What could you do all day, every day, that would completely satisfy you and make you enough money to sustain your lifestyle?”

Still, I had no clue!

As someone who was born over 30 years ago, I should definitely know by now what my passion is, right?

WRONG.

Unfortunately, I was at a loss for words yet again.  I was stumped, and I somehow felt like I had not only failed at answering the question, but maybe I’m failing at life, too…?

I know what I like to do (admin work, reading, sleeping, eating, learning, etc.), but I wasn’t sure which of these many things could make me money without making me bored at some point or another.

I’ve always been into art, especially as a child.  From drawings, paintings, arts & crafts, to film and television, the list goes on.  My ‘artistic talent’ would wane and wax over the decades of my life, even with an Associate’s Degree in Video Production from The Art Institute of Atlanta, but the love and appreciation I have for art has always been with me.  Unfortunately, breaking into the field of Video Production is hard for a woman, especially a black woman.  I worked as a videographer and non-linear editor for a short while for a small company; however, once I was laid off, it was just easier for me to get a job in Corporate America so I could still support myself as an adult.  This led me to obtain my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

So now I have over 20 years of administrative experience and I’m really great at what I do in that area because of my innate abilities… but is business administration my passion?  I think if it were, I wouldn’t have had so much trouble answering the aforementioned question “What are you passionate about?”.

Finally!  It hit me.  Me to myself: “Ok, so I’m great at business administration and I absolutely love to edit video to music.  I’ve always wanted my own video production company… what about those tribute videos I did for my friends and family?  There’s a market for that, right?  Maybe it’s not too late for me...”

Today, many barriers are being broken down in the film and video industry by powerful women such as Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Mindy Kaling, Viola Davis, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes… the list goes on. WIFTI (Women in Film and Television International) was founded in 1973 and is dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.  While I may not have had the moxie to be a pioneer in this artistic arena, it certainly isn’t too late for me to hone my video editing skills and pursue the spark that God placed inside of me many years ago.  I’m nervous as hell and I still have plenty of self-doubt (plenty!), but I’m now choosing to face the fear and do it anyway.  You should, too.   

Fear is a powerful thing.  Let it push you from behind rather than stand in front of you.

Think about what your talents are.  What you love to do, what you’ve always loved to do, whether you’ve made money from it or not.  Think about what you love to do that garners compliments from your friends and family.  What gives you a sense of accomplishment and helps others simultaneously?  Are you good with your hands?  Do you sing well?  You like to eat?  You can get paid for eating!  Mystery Shoppers, Food Testers, and Food Bloggers do it all the time.  Google the word ‘mukbang’ – thank me later.

Below is a link to a few tribute videos I made for my family and friends.  I’m working on one for my Dad who passed away this past March (RIP Val, aka The Dragon, #ValentinoForever).  I don’t even know if I’ll have the strength to do it…but it’s a goal of mine, and I will most certainly try.

If you’d like a tribute video for a birthday, anniversary, funeral, or other special occasion, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can discuss your vision and how I may be able to assist.

Peace & Blessings!

Katina