Having a deep understanding of our identities drives so much of our success. It gives us a deeper sense of who we are. More importantly, it gives us an understanding of what it took for us to get here, and we realize that the groundwork for our path was laid so selflessly, without the need for acknowledgment or reward, but out of love and responsibility.
At 30 years old, I am becoming more preoccupied with thoughts and family stories about what was sacrificed for my family to settle here. It’s natural for it to feel like a double-edged sword: on one side, you feel the undeniable pressure to live up to expectations. Your own success feels like such a high-stakes situation that, if you fall short, the very sacrifices that were made may seem meaningless. On the other side, you have a deep sense of pride and appreciation for the family work ethic that has moulded your own; in that way, you feel that you can conquer the world.
Honouring who you are and where you come from and appreciating what it took for you to get here, have the power to inform your life decisions in the best of ways.
Take this edition of SHARP and its cover star, John Leguizamo. Born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised on the tough streets of Queens, New York, during the 1970s, he has never forgotten his underprivileged and humble beginnings; loyalty and generosity remain at the heart of everything he does. While his parents did not support his dream of pursuing acting because they did not see it as a practical way to make a living, the very passion and determination he inherited from them drove his success.
There are moments in our lives that will test us — and our response is either to focus or fold. Remember who you are before choosing one.
PHOTOTOGRAPHY BY LISMERY LOYOLA.
