The biggest and strongest message is that whatever it is that you're called to do -- do it.  Do it regardless of whatever accolades you may receive or  whatever opportunities may come your way. If it's a true conviction, then it will  continue within you, whether you exercise it professionally or you do it  recreationally.  When you do what you are meant to do, it's not about the  money. It's about the sacrifice and the dedication that you put in.    

The biggest challenge for me was believing in the possibility of achieving this.  That's the hardest part -- allowing yourself the opportunity, giving yourself  half a chance to make it. I think a lot of people tend to sabotage themselves  because they're afraid of what the future holds. You have to let that go, live in  the moment, live in the now, and let the future unfold for you. Even now, it's a  challenge to just give myself the chance to finally make it in the way I know I  can. That's not something that has to do with the outside world. It's something  more quiet and  internal than that.

I think that my success was blind fate. I didn't really expect too much. A lot  that happened with me initially was a result of other people having faith in  what I could do. But I was just kind of happy to be making music, regardless of  what the outcome was going to be. It was just, like, "Look I make music. I'll make it after work, even if I have to do it after working at a McDonald's. I'll go home, and I'll make music."
 
Whatever it takes for a person to develop their craft, he or she should do it.  That could be singing lessons or just singing in the shower along with every  song you hear. Everyone needs to trust that inner voice that will always guide  you and tell you where you need to go next.

I think every day is a big break because the process never ends. When you  think of your career in terms of a big break, then you almost make yourself  finite. You make the experience finite, and you limit it. Every day is an  opportunity for you to reach a higher level. Or try to. I'm still growing. It is  important to be courageous enough to put yourself on the line for your art.   People and artists who do that have been the biggest inspiration to me. I don't  mean people who are successful and accepted on a commercial level, but people  who are brave. People who reach for that courage are the ones who really make  me keep trying, who make me keep working and striving.

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