“Your time is limited, so don’t wast it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” — Steve Jobs

Have the courage to follow your heart and your intuition.

I really needed these words today.

The words trust your gut are bandied about. They’re as common as Uggs and jeggings on an entitled teen.

Even so, they’re true.

Los Angeles is a noisy town. Filmmaking is a noisy occupation. You are surrounded by gatekeepers, whose one job is to kill your dream. You turn to others – and you discover the ugly truth: you’re all in competition, vying for the same goal. Some of us get that. And yet, we are not guided by that for we see ourselves as peers, not competitors. We help for the sake of helping, not for tangible goods. We’re the quiet ones acting behind the scenes. But for others, relationships come with a two page shopping list. They’re factory guys and gals. Their lives are ruled by insidious machinations; their mouths speak everything – but the truth. Eventually, the mask will drop and you will be staring the Gorgon in the eye. Keep your shield close at hand, and take a good look at its reflection. Then walk away.

If something doesn’t feel right to you – it’s not. If you have this nagging feeling about something or someone, most likely you are right. If you feel that you’ve been played, most likely you have been.

What to do? Return to self. Embrace all that is wonderful within you. Close your eyes, take a deep breath turn around, face forward and leave those that seek to further their own agendas behind.

You’ll never be able to live your future if you are constantly turning back towards your past. Remember and learn. Follow your heart – and your intuition. Embrace the past, relish the present and anticipate the future.

And learn to put yourself and your dreams first.

Now, go write.

HRH, Princess Scribe