I consider myself a reserved person, although I'm aware that most people would say I'm anything but that. Yes, I am a very outspoken and confident person even so, I do have trouble "letting people in". I might be an unapologetic goof in front of everyone, but there are many parts of myself that I don't share. I suppose one might say I have trust issues, and that'd be a fair assessment. That subject is for another time, though.

Ironically enough, the things I am most passionate about are often the things that I am most shy about. For example, I am not quick to talk about my dream of making movies when I grow up. There are a variety of reasons that I legitimately deep love for film, and I've always been a storyteller. Even so, I find myself somewhat ashamed whenever I am asked: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Perhaps it is because my dream profession is not one commonly found where I come from. No one seems to have those obscure ambitions-you either go to college for a normal job or if you're lucky then you get to play professional sports. There are no filmmakers or writers, it seems like. There are some musicians, I will say that, but the number of those musicians who openly have professional aspirations remains small.

Recently, I went public with my passion for filmmaking. I just began production on a big short film project that I wrote and am directing. It's based on a true story from my local area, and so my team and I have sought to raise awareness about the story so that we can garner an audience for our thirty-minute film when it is finally released. I contacted my local newspaper, and an article was written about the project. That article ended up being a major success, and we've had many folks reach out to us since it's release wanting to help out with the movie. I personally have had a lot of people come up to me, asking about the film, and they do so with lots of interest.

Here lies to revelation: my passion is nothing to be ashamed of. People are not laughing at me because my dreams are crazy for a kid from Alabama. On the contrary, people in my hometown have offered overwhelming support. They're not patting me on the head and smiling as I pursue my youthful hobby-they're cheering my on as I get closer to success. By that I mean, they believe I can be successful and that is an extremely humbling feeling.

All of this support has brought back to me the words of Lupita Nyong'o in her 2013 Best Supporting Actress Oscar acceptance speech. After thanking all of her friends, family, and colleagues, Miss Nyong'o ends her emotionally empowered speech with a triumphant line...(fast forward to 3:20 for the end of the speech)

"No matter where you're from, your dreams are valid."

That quote has stuck with me over the last three years, but only now am I beginning to appreciate it. She uses the word valid. Synonyms for valid include logical, sound, reasonable, viable, and well-founded. To me, a kid from Alabama who wants to break into the film industry, such a statement is truly powerful.

My dreams are no less valid because of my home. If anything, my home is currently driving towards my dream. What was invalid was the idea that my home would hinder me in any sort of way? No one can stop you from doing what you love, except yourself. If life has taught me anything so far, it's taught me that your life is what you make it. People say that hard work can bring about anything, and it's often viewed as a cheesy sentiment. But I am here to say, with real life experiences to back me up, that sentiment is true. Hard work at whatever you love can truly allow for anything to happen.

To Lupita Nyong'o, thank you for helping teach me this important lesson. To my family, friends, and others in my hometown thank you for supporting me in my dreams. To the kid who feels like his/her dreams are impossible with their circumstances, I leave you with that quote from Miss Nyong'o.