Defying Gravity (and my own self doubts)
There are moments in life when a song, a lyric, or even a single note resonates so deeply that it changes everything. For me, that song is Defying Gravity from Wicked. When I first heard it on the Mirvish stage years ago, I had no idea how much it would shape my future. But looking back, it was the anthem that pushed me to take the biggest leaps of my life—first leaving my steady pharmaceutical job to move into the nonprofit world and more recently to take the plunge and build my own creative business, Sunset Patterns.
I still remember getting off of the phone with my manager at the time after tendering my pharmaceutical resignation and putting Defying Gravity at a ridiculously high volume on repeat as I cried and walked the neighbourhood. The words “It's time to trust my instincts, Close my eyes and leap” gave me the confidence that leaving the stable corporate world to spend more time with my family and make other choices was the correct one.
With the release of the motion picture Wicked I have been reminded once again how it truly is the anthem of my life. I’ve always harboured the dream of becoming a creative entrepreneur but chose other more secure and “safe” paths. Fear always held me back. The "what-ifs" were endless: What if I failed? What if I regretted it? What if I couldn't make a living doing what I loved?
Many of the lyrics in Wicked inspire me but “Everyone deserves the chance to fly" felt like they were speaking directly to me. I deserved the chance to see if I could make my dream a reality. The thought of never trying, of staying where I was out of fear, became more terrifying than the risk itself. That was the moment I decided: I was going to take the leap. I was going to defy my own gravity.
Starting Sunset Patterns was one of the scariest but most exhilarating decisions I’ve ever made. There were challenges, early mornings, and moments of doubt, but there was also freedom, fulfillment, and the joy of seeing my art brighten people’s homes. The risks were real, but so were the rewards.
Looking back, I know I made the right decision. My journey is still unfolding, but I’m doing what I love, creating art that inspires, and proving to myself every day that I was right to believe in my dreams. If you’ve ever felt the pull toward something bigger but hesitated because of fear, I hope my story—and maybe even this song—gives you the courage to take your own leap.
Because once you dare to defy gravity, there’s no limit to how high you can fly!