ARE WE THERE YET?

Claudia DiMartino
Jun 1, 2019
4 min read

When I was a little girl, Sunday was family day.

We would attend church in the morning. Then, we would gather for the traditional Sunday dinner at 1:00.

We always started with a plate of pasta.

Then, we had the second course along with salad.

And last, but certainly not least, we had dessert. My dad loved ice cream. Ice cream it was.

Once dinner was finished and the dishes were washed, dried and put away, it was time to go on our weekly family adventure.

It was amazing, how after eating all that food, we had the energy to do anything else.

My sister and I never knew where we were going. It was always a big surprise.

We would run to the car and climb into the back seat. We waited with great anticipation to find out where our family adventure would end up that Sunday.

Like all kids, we couldn’t keep of excitement in check. My father would barely back the car out of the driveway and we would ask the question…

FOLLOWING THE DREAM

Have you ever felt that following your dream is a never-ending journey?

I know I have.

I know deep in my spirit where I’m going; and I’ve laid out plans to get there. I’ve worked the plans. I’ve adjusted the plans. I’ve been excited. I’ve gotten frustrated. I’ve laughed. I’ve cried. I’ve wondered is it worth it.

I’ve asked, “Am I there yet?”

What is there yet?

This is when I realized I needed a reality check.

Years ago, I read a book by author Joyce Meyer called, Enjoying Where You Are on The Way To Where You’re Going.

That’s the problem.

I wasn’t enjoying the journey. I’ve had to deal with that dreaded word…PROCESS!

Rude Awakening. THE PROCESS NEVER ENDS!

It comes down to attitude. Am I going to enjoy the journey or moan and groan that I haven’t gotten to where I’m going, yet.

The big issue for me is that I didn’t start pursuing my dream of acting until I walked away from a 22-year corporate marketing career.

I was a mature woman going after a dream that most people start in their younger years.

I was putting so much pressure on myself. I needed to make things happen NOW!

I spent most of my life doing what I was supposed to do. I was now doing what I always wanted to do.

I needed to slow down.

I needed to recognize that I had a lot to learn.

I needed to enjoy the journey.

Has it been easy? NO!

It’s been seventeen years of ups and downs, twists and turns, unexpected joy and disappointments.

To be honest, the last two weeks have been challenging. I’ve needed to slap myself upside the head and get an attitude adjustment.

I realized I was focusing on what wasn’t happening, instead of focusing on the blessings that already have happened.

Focusing on the wrong things allowed fear to creep in; and that brings nothing but a spiral downward.

NOW!!!

I’m doing what I love. I’m living my dream and each day brings new surprises. Just because the fullness of what I’m believing for hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy today.

I look at my career; and I’ve booked some very nice roles in some major TV shows and films.

I’ve worked with some prominent actors and directors; and I’ve been able to grow as an actress.

I’ve always loved the movies; and I get to attend major film screenings with post-screening Q&A’s with A-list actors and directors. How cool is that?

I’ve written, produced and performed my one-woman show, It’s Only Lipstick, to some rave reviews.

I have amazing people in my life who believe in me and stand with me through good and bad. They even have the latitude to speak the truth to me, even if I’m not ready to receive it. I will say, “I need to digest that.” I do; and am grateful.

Throughout this journey, I’ve discovered things about myself. I’ve explored hidden talents that have risen to the surface.

I’ve allowed myself to be vulnerable and live in the moment. This is a major change for someone who generally was so stressed out and continually had her panties in a wad.

But most importantly, I’ve learned AM I THERE YET? is I’VE ARRIVED!

I AM THERE!

The beauty of enjoying the journey is the freedom the let go of the ever-moving target of AM I THERE YET? to grabbing hold of life’s every-day adventures and surprises.