The last time I was at Africa Fashion Week Houston watching the models walk down the catwalk, I thought they looked amazing and low-key wished I was a part of the show.

AFWHouston show is one of the few fashion week events in the world that are size and height inclusive. I looked at the models walking the runway and I could see myself in them. “Maybe I’ll audition next year, I thought.” I never did.

During this year’s show, the host was interacting with the audience, and somewhere between asking people to show off their best moves and selecting the outstanding looks of the night, I found myself at the beginning of the runway with four others—my outfit was considered runway worthy.

I’m not fond of surprises or impulse moves however, when put in a challenging position, I surprisingly handle myself calmly and then proceed to have a panic attack after the task has come to completion.

The music started to play and even though I would have preferred to have the ground swallow me, I didn’t want to disappoint myself or the enthusiastic audience. I could hear myself breathing, “It’s not a big deal,” I thought, trying to calm myself. Slowly, I walked down what seemed to be an endless runway.

I could see nothing except the bright spotlight. As I got to the end of the runway, I remembered I had to pose for the invisible, yet audible cameras. In all the times I have captured looks for this blog, hitting my angles with every shot, I got to the end of that runway and had no idea what to do. I quickly settled for the safe hand-on-hip pose—knowing from shooting experience that it works every time.

I turned around hoping there was at least one good shot and headed back down the runway. As I approached the end of the walk, the audience’s applause ripped through my nerves, bringing me back to reality. I was only glad I hadn’t fallen.

It’s only until I saw these pictures that I realized, that this is something I had wanted. I put it out there and my manifestation came through. It may not have happened exactly how I had planned however, the end goal was there—I wished to walk the runway and my wish was granted. Truth be told, even though I would have wanted to walk in the show one day, I would never have auditioned…that would be unlike my character.

I’ve spent majority of this year doubting myself and my potential to achieve my very wild dreams. I’m glad that this little experience reminded me that sometimes, I don’t have to worry about the “how”. I simply need to put my “what” out there and trust the universe (and God) that it will all work out.

I hope this post can light that fire in you too—the fire that will burn fear and self-doubt and shine on the belief that “Ask, and you will receive”.

All photos by Keyline Photography