Jeff Pridgen

The roaring engines of airliners soar overhead; my nerves rattle as I stare down at the boarding pass tightly clenched between my fingers. A deep breath and loosely shut eyes help me envision the remarkable possibilities ahead. I am on my way to a new life, a novel chapter to embark on a journey I will be traveling alone. The flight is leaving my hometown of Chicago and landing in Los Angeles full of eager passengers and endless opportunities.
Making the decision to say goodbye to my previous self and hello to a fresh self was a difficult one in which I experienced leaving family and friends behind, as well as memories and customs that I became so attached to. California beckoned for me to stand up and accept a challenge most in my situation would turn down. I on the other hand graciously accepted it with open arms and an open mind. However moving out at the vulnerable age of eighteen was life changing. At the time I was scared and confused as to which way my life was heading, but deep down there was this guiding voice, this fire that burned inside of me. It yelled whenever I began to doubt, enlightened me when I began to create, a light that would never go out. It knew that I had everything it takes to eventually make my mark on the world and give it all I got in the meantime. The voice comes from a special place within my heart belonging to a man I barely met, my father. Someone I lost as a child, but before I really understood what loss meant. That yearning for his warmth has built within me and like the strike of a match it sparks that fire that drives me. Dedication I call it, strength to follow my ambitions and explore what the world has to offer, love for every moment I have. Living on my own now for around a year and a half has allowed me to grow and mature so much that it perplexes me when I think of how I used to be. I am unbelievably proud of myself, because there aren’t very many that can say they moved 1,600 miles away from home to chase their dreams. In the time that I have spent on my own I have gained a lot of knowledge and wisdom about what it takes to survive, but I have also realized that with great drive the road ahead is very exciting. People spend their entire lives thinking and ruminating on what could have been, but by actively pursuing a thought, idea, or fantasy you can rediscover yourself or explore who you really are in a place you thought you’d never be. I consider the strength and dedication it took to propel myself across the country and head-on into this business to not only be a redeeming personal quality, but also a talent, an accomplishment, and overall an amazing experience that I will continue to learn from for the rest of my life.