This past weekend, I drove down to Harlem to film my latest role—a principal in an inner-city school overrun by gangs, drugs, and violence. In the middle of filming this urban drama, I spotted a poster that read: “A year from now you will wish you started today.” I was about to film a scene and I had to take a photo of it because, of course, it got me thinking about my journey and what brought me to that school, to that moment. (Also special thanks to the Thurgood Marshall Academy for Learning and Social Change!)

It reminded me of another saying I’ve always loved: “The best time to plant a shade tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.”

The Tree I Almost Let Die

Over 35 years ago, I had dreams of being an actor. I even managed to land a few extra roles, but it wasn’t paying the bills. So, like so many of us, I chose the steady job. I built a career. I became a parent. I traveled, I honored commitments, I showed up for everyone else. And in the process, I pushed that dream to the back of my mind. I told myself I wasn’t good enough anyway. That tree I planted, the one meant to give shade and joy, was left untended.

Fast forward to May 2020. The world had stopped. My job and my memoir, Life After Losses, were all that kept me occupied. As I dug through journals to write, memories resurfaced, all of those reminders of what used to bring me joy, what used to make me feel alive. That long-neglected tree was still there, waiting for me to care for it.

I took a risk. I sought training. I learned how to show up for self-tape auditions. And then? I started booking roles. Fast forward again to today, and I’ve officially wrapped three feature films, multiple short films, and 11 seasons of a YouTube series. The tree I started tending again isn’t just alive, it’s bearing fruit.

The Lies We Tell Ourselves

Decades of telling myself “I’m not good enough, anyway” turned out to be a lie. Decades of back-burnering the dream didn’t kill it. It just waited for me to show up. And isn’t that what happens with so many of our dreams? We convince ourselves that time has run out, that opportunities are for someone younger, bolder, more talented, better looking. But the truth? The tree doesn’t care how long it’s been neglected. It just wants water, sunlight, and attention.

For me, it took a pandemic to finally listen. I don’t want that to be your story. Don’t wait for a crisis to remind you that you still have something worth pursuing.

How to Start Nurturing Your Tree

Maybe acting isn’t your dream. Maybe your tree looks like:

• Starting that class you’ve been researching for months.
• Writing the first page of the book you’ve talked yourself out of.
• Reaching out to a mentor or a friend who inspires you.
• Picking up the paintbrush, instrument, or running shoes you tucked away years ago.

It doesn’t have to be all at once. Watering and nurturing a tree is steady, consistent, often unnoticed by others. But over time, the growth is undeniable.

Experience as the Teacher

Here’s something I’ve learned: it’s not the absence of fear that gets you moving; it’s the decision to move in spite of it. I was nervous taking that first acting class. I was filled with doubt before every audition. I was terrified when I set foot on set. But with each step, I built evidence, and confidence, that the dream was worth it, and that I was capable of more than I’d let myself believe. I had to re-wire that belief.

And in that process, I discovered something else: nurturing your dream changes you. You grow stronger, more confident, more alive. You become the kind of person who inspires others, most of the time without even realizing it.

Your Turn

So here’s my challenge: spend some time this week thinking about that tree you wish you’d planted—or the one you planted but left untended. What does it look like for you? Where is the dream you’ve shelved, the one that still pulls at you quietly?

Now—plant. Water. Nurture.

Take the class. Reach out for guidance. Join a group. Do the small, consistent thing.

No limits. No negative self-talk.

🌳 Because a year from now, you’ll either be grateful you started—or wishing you had.

What’s one dream you’ve been neglecting that you’re ready to nurture again?

Looking for some inspiration? Check out the Come On, Get Happy! series or the Happiness Coaching.