How to Set Goals like a Boss

Goals need to feel invigorating, exciting and challenging - otherwise they aren't worth having. They are like anchors, or a compass that reminds us of what direction we are going in.

Often times, we set goals for the wrong reasons. If its just for the money or to please our parents, it's not coming from our unique set of values, desires and vision.

When I made the decision to drop out of university to pursue the goals I really wanted to engage in - travel, volunteering, independence and moving out - it was hard, but at the same time I would never take that decision back because it was the right one. I wasn't ready to put thousands of dollars and time into a degree I didn't feel any sense of connection to. It took a massive amount of trust in myself and support. Following the guidance of my inner compass has never led me astray.

Each and every one of us is so different and therefore we will all have a different vision and goals for our lives. These goals will evolve, change and sharpen. That's why its important that we revisit our list regularly.
"Do I really want this?"
"What's important now?"
"What am I willing to do to be happy and reach my potential?"

Asking ourselves these questions can be scary, but what becomes clear is very valuable information.
Because goal-setting can be such a broad, ever-changing process, I'll outline three points that really help me when I sit down to get clear on what I want- usually with some good music and coffee :)

Identify Your Values First
Writing specific goals down can sometimes be an overwhelming and confusing process. This is why identifying our values first can be clarifying. Start with your values and then ask yourself, "If I'm living in alignment with this value, what would my life look like? What would I be doing?"
Then go from there.

Forget the Rules
There is no "right" way to set and have goals. Worrying that maybe our goals are either too small or too big, or how they will be perceived by others doesn't work.
The key is to focus on how the goals feel and sit with us, rather than how they look.  
If it matters to you, then it's worth having. 
If it lights you up, makes you smile and feels important, then it deserves attention.

Make Time and Space

Yes, life is short and our time is valuable, but life is not a race. If we rush our decisions without giving ourselves time to rest and check in, it can actually be counter-productive.

We need space and time at home (or away from home) to get clear and gain perspective. Deep down we know what we want, but distractions and stress can blur that clarity. When we take the time to slow down and leave room for mystery and uncertainty, what comes up naturally may be exactly what we're looking for.

This is Exactly Where You're Meant to Be

Today started like most others; with a cup of coffee, a pair of headphones and some reflection on my goals and dreams. For some reason, this morning struck me with a higher than normal level of clarity. Everything just made sense. All the things I’m doing and experiencing now are necessary to get me to where I need to be in the next five years. Costa Rica is happening this December, with another trip (I’m dreaming about Chile..) scheduled for later in the winter. I’ll also be taking the next coaching course I need to become certified. Going to school to study social work is in the works for the next 1-2 years. I’m blessed with amazing people in my life and my travels have led to many wonderful relationships. Working in the hospitality industry has funded my travels and given me the flexibility to focus on my personal growth.

Of course this is where I'm meant to be.

Sometimes when we’re exhausted, broken hearted or stressed, it’s as if our whole life is falling apart and its hard to see the big picture. We doubt ourselves and the always present power within. I’m very familiar with this feeling. Like all of us, my path has led to many road blocks where I’ve felt discouraged and frustrated. 

“Am I doing the right thing?” “What if following my heart doesn’t work out?”

What I’m realizing is that the “road blocks” are actually part of our path and success. They provide very important lessons to prepare us for what’s next and give us the opportunity to grow and see things from a different perspective. 

It’s not supposed to make sense all the time. It’s supposed to be messy. We’re supposed to want to give it all up to find clarity in the surrender, strength in the pain and confidence in the uncertainty.

Because somewhere down the line it all just makes sense.  

“You can't connect the dots looking forward you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. Because believing that the dots will connect down the road will give you the confidence to follow your heart, even when it leads you off the well worn path.” (Steve Jobs)

I love this quote because it reminds us that navigating our path with trust and faith is the key. It won’t always make sense, but when it does, savor that delicious clarity.

One Step at a Time

Ever so softly, one foot in front of the other, one step at a time.
There is so much still to share, so much yet to experience,

but the next step is the one we take.

Staying present, listening to wild calls only heard in silence,
moving patiently,
while the world awaits.

Breathing deeply,
staying open,
trusting the process.

This too, shall pass.

Seasons to move through,
each one a lesson and gift,
all woven together,
creating wholeness.

Coming back home to the present moment,
the place where hearts live,
all knowing silence,
accepting,
loving,
ever so gently,
to move again more wisely.

"Dear Travel: You've Made me a Better Person"

There's no doubt most of us dream of traveling, being free and going on adventures. When we make these dreams happen, it is one of the most exhilarating feelings. I am still processing the two months I spent in Southeast Asia this past Spring. They changed my life. Not because they were easy or comfortable or glamorous, but because they showed me things about myself that I would only learn through being uncomfortable, in a different environment (often getting lost!) and being exposed to the unknown.

For those of you who who want to make travel happen, or heck, make more of it happen, I hope this article will provide just a little bit more perspective into what this is all about.

I remember being in Pai, North Thailand, about two weeks into my trip. I got sick and had to take a few extra days to rest and recover. I was very weak and my body was also adjusting to the new climate, time zone, language, food and culture. Until then, I was used to a more secure and comfortable environment when traveling, where medical care and support are always readily available.

This was new. And I actually seriously considered going back home.
"Maybe I can't do this. Maybe I'm not built for this. I thought this was supposed to be fun and empowering",  I thought to myself.

During this time, I also met a soul sister, someone who I connected with immediately, where the conversation just resonated. I explained my situation and her reply was full of faith and confidence, exactly what I needed. (This happens a lot when traveling- meeting the right people at the right time)
The message I got was clear, "Don't give up. Trust the process. This is exactly where you're meant to be."

These were big lessons.
So instead of wanting to be somewhere else, I embraced the moment I was in. 

And because of that, I got better and continued traveling with a more open mind and less expectation. My plans changed because I found more joy in not knowing and just being in the moment. I was able to let go of the need to control every outcome and enjoy the experience and growth in the process.

Trust in ourselves and in the process is built through letting go. We don't find it in certainty or routine, we find it in the unknown. And boy, I can't tell you what is more scary and vulnerable than that.

This is why traveling has been such a wonderful teacher to me in this. It's given me the opportunity to face the unknown and practice courage. There is no price to the experiences that make us who we are, they are beyond the cost of a plane ticket or buying the stuff we need for our next trip. There is no doubt that growth can happen in so many different ways, but I must say that traveling is pretty high on my list.

5 Ways You're Here to Kick Ass and Be Enough

One of the biggest lessons I learned while on my most recent trips abroad in Southeast Asia for two months is that we are not here to play small.

When was the last time you did something that completely took you out of your comfort zone?

Sometimes we get caught up in our routines and pleasing other people more than doing all the things that set our hearts on fire.

Traveling in Thailand and Vietnam gave me gifts that being comfortable could never provide. 
A higher tolerance for the unknown and more faith in myself and my ability. This was big.

It was when I found myself on my own, seeing different places and meeting different people each day while facing my own strengths and struggles that I realized it didn't matter what the world put in my path, because I would handle it every time. And I did. I learned to trust myself by seeing, through hands on experience, that I could handle the challenges where I previously had doubt about.

So why did you come here to kick some ass?

Potential
We don't know what we are capable of doing, until we try. And this goes for each one of us. For whatever reason, we all have limitations and stories around what we can't do or what we are not worthy of. The amount of human potential, power and badassery within each one of us is seriously limitless. Give er' a go.


Growth
Doing scary shit is how we grow.
I remember being in a hostel in Bangkok watching the TED talk "100 Days Without Fear". Michelle, the speaker talks about how each day, for 100 days, she did something she was scared of. And what happened? Growth. Power. Overcoming perceived obstacles.
If your sweating, your knees are shaking and you feel both afraid and excited about it, it means you need to go do it.

Adventure
In the beginning of this past May, I ended my backpacking trip with a hike up the tallest mountain I've climbed so far. 10,310 feet. Holy shit. What was I thinking?
Fansipan mountain is located in the northernmost bit of Vietnam, and sits as the tallest peak in Indochina. (comprised of Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam)
Deep down, I knew it was doable, but I struggled to trust that I would have the physical and mental strength among a group of mostly Vietnamese hikers. It was cold, my body hurt and we stayed halfway up the mountain overnight through the craziest thunderstorm I've ever experienced while rain came in through the roof in the tin cabins we slept in to wake up at 3am for the final climb to the peak. Challenging? Yes. 
Worth it? 100%.
Most of us, if granted we give ourselves the permission to risk, desire adventures. Maybe we each have our own definition of what that means, but the desire to go beyond exists in all of us, I believe.
Listen to your call for adventure.  

Worthiness
We are each worthy of all the experiences we desire and crave. Period. Not if or when, but now. Just as you are. You are enough to go for it, be it, receive it, ask for it. 

Love 
Because at the end of the day, the point of everything is love. It's to do what you love, fall in love and infuse the love we have within us into everything we do and say.

Empathy is the Way Home

There is not one empowering relationship I can think of in my life where empathy didn't strengthen and deepen it further.

Empathy is such a powerful practice and way of being that no matter what the relationship, whether personal or professional or the relationship we have with ourselves, it becomes a key building block.

Simply said, it is a vehicle of connection, which we all need and want. Connection is why we are here and the purpose behind everything.

If I honestly take a moment to reflect on all the people who have inspired me, who Ive felt seen and understood by and who have supported me on my journey, they practice empathy.

They practiced their ability to understand and share the feelings of another. 

Think back to an experience or emotion you've had. It can be a time of struggle or a time of overwhelming joy. Empathy says:
“Me too. I hear you and Ive been there.”
These words given honestly from a place of grounded presence and compassion can literally change someones life. They are incredibly powerful and healing.

According to Dr. Brene Brown, when we practice empathy, we are actually doing these four things:

1 Perspective taking the ability to see the world through the other person’s eyes 

2 Non Judgement the willingness to put down our own stories, thoughts and criticisms that may arise when someone shares their experience with us. Often we resort to judgement when we feel uncomfortable. Non Judgement requires us to be okay with the discomfort.

3 Recognize Emotion this one is all about identifying the emotion behind the experience the other person is sharing with us.

4 Communicate Emotion once we are aware of the emotion behind the experience we are hearing, we can then remember that emotion within our own experiences and communicate it back. No two individuals have the same experiences, therefore we are not required to identify with the circumstances of the experience, only the emotion behind them.

Whether at work, in our personal relationships, when we are on the go and traveling or perhaps in the meeting of a perfect stranger, we have the opportunity to be empathetic and kind.
The truth is that we can never know what a person is really experiencing, unless they share it with us. So if they do, knowing what we now know, we might just listen a little differently.

Life is Always at Your Fingertips

You came here with the power to choose. Every single damn day.

Life is here to give you everything you want and you get to decide how it goes.

You came here to be selective.
To say hell yes and fuck no!

You didn't come here to settle or accept something that doesn't resonate with your soul or values. Or anyone who discourages you from pursuing your goals, dreaming big and living your vision.

You didn't come here to play small.

You came here to choose the experiences that cause you to grow into a stronger version of yourself. You came here to travel the world, eat delicious food, drink coffee, watch sunrises, make love and express your truth through a million different ways that make you come alive.

You came here to try and fuck up a hundred times. To fall down, embrace every emotion, fail and get back up. And to understand that the whole process is part of your success because what matters at the end of the day is that you are growing, staying present and becoming a stronger version of yourself as you engage authentically and wholeheartedly with life and the people around you each day.

You came here to practice love, share love and be love. Because as it turns out, the love we are able to give comes first from the unconditional source of love we cultivate within ourselves. The most important  relationship we have is with ourselves. When we learn to be with ourselves just as we are, we naturally emanate unconditional love for those around us.

You came here to take risks, face your fears, kick ass and be courageous. The most important thing becomes less about getting it right and more about doing the thing you fear and simply see what happens.

As you start making the decisions that push you outside of your comfort zone, your world opens up. You meet the right people who change your life. The connection between what you choose to do and what feels right becomes stronger in the process of experiencing what might both scare and excite you.

Living a life based on making empowered choices takes awareness, courage and the understanding that by simply being here, we are all deserving. You came here worthy. Maybe certain expericnes made you think differently, but that doesn't change the fact that your worthiness is not dependent on anything.

You are worthy, now, no matter what. 

And you came here to shine and grow in your power by making choices that line up with how fucking worthy you are.

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people wont feel insecure around you. 

- Marianne Williamson

Being the best version of yourself is the greatest service you can give to the world. When you realize that you came here to shine and choose to step into your greatness, life is always at your fingertips.

Making Decisions you Love

By simply being a part of life, we find ourselves in the position of making decisions each day. Big decisions and small ones. Crazy ones, boring ones and scary ones. We may choose to not decide, which is also a decision in itself. Small decisions pass us by like cars- they're not a big deal, but they're still there.

It's the big decisions we often overthink and stress about. Maybe you're needing to make one as you read this. The truth is that at some point, we realize that we need to move the process forward.

When it comes down to making the decisions that empower us to become our strongest selves, I want to share with you some of the insight I've gathered along my journey.

The first thing I usually do before anything else when I need to make a decision, is slow down and get in touch with myself. Finding ways to connect to our inner voice is the key here and there are many ways to do this, depending on what works best for you.

Meditation and mindfulness (being aware of the present moment) is very effective.
Spending time alone in stillness, or even spending time in a calming space like a restorative yoga class can help us connect to ourselves.
Spending time in nature.
Going for a run.
Getting a coffee and sitting in a coffee shop.
All these are potential ways in which we can connect to our inner voice.

The goal is to create space to become present. There we will hear the whispers of our heart.

 Creating space also means setting boundaries with people, work and technology. When I need time to reflect and connect to myself, I put my phone on airplane mode so I simply won't see any notifications. It's about stepping back and having perspective.

By this point, the decision may become clear. Bam. We move forward.

It may also not, and that's okay. But usually something has come up and we need to get more clear. 

Writing is a great way to process our inner experiences and emotions, otherwise finding a professional or friend who supports our journey can be very effective. It's okay to ask for help.

So here we are. You took time to slow down and get present, you talked about it, but there is still hesitation.

This is the point where I've realized that it's crucial that we understand that there is no such thing as the "right" or perfect decision. We need to take the time to pause and reflect, but sometimes we need to act before we're ready. There is a bit of a balance we must be aware of. Constantly pushing doesn't work, but at some point, thinking doesn't either.

There will never be a point when the circumstances are perfect or there is no fear, which is why we must do the thing anyway.

We make "a" decision and then we make it "right." It's much more important that we are decisive over certain.

It is through the doing and moving that we learn and grow so there is only so much we can prepare and plan. There is only so much we can think about before we simply take the step and embrace the adventure and uncertainty with courage.

This is how we step into our power.

Confessions of a Recovering Perfectionist

I've never thought I'd ever say this, but unlearning perfectionism has affected my life more than most things. In a good way.

I grew up thinking that in order to be successful, I needed to do everything perfectly and look perfect while I'm doing it. In my very difficult high school days where I was struggling more than ever to feel enough, perfectionism was always hanging around. And no matter what I did and how perfectly I tried to do it, it was never enough, because when perfectionism is in the car, shame is always sitting right beside it.

According to Dr. Brene Brown, shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging – the very things that we all need.

Shame needs three key ingredients to grow- silence, secrecy and judgement. And let me tell you, the more I used perfectionism to hide and keep from feeling, the shame around my human struggles kept growing. It grew an grew, until I couldn't keep it all in control anymore. My breakdown in high school was both the darkest and most life-changing event in my life.

I had to re-learn how to live in a way that felt more real. I had to start speaking out, reaching out and owning my story. (naturally cutting shame right off at its knees). I had to start learning how to take down the armor (perfectionism) and embrace vulnerability. And let me tell you, that process wasn't easy. It took a few years to get back on my emotional feet and become the person I am now.

I learned some of the most important lessons during that time of struggle and found people who inspired me to be a truer and more powerful version of myself.

Most importantly, I learned to start living from the inside out, not the outside in. That is where I found myself.

Perfectionism is all about "what will they think?" It keeps us exhausted and hustling for people's approval. It tricks us into thinking that by being perfect, we can avoid feeling vulnerability, failure, hurt and disappointment, the very emotions that make us human. But the truth is that embracing and owning the very emotions that make us human is also how we access connection, compassion, belonging, love, gratitude and joy.

When I started diving into the work, books and writing of TED Speaker Dr. Brene Brown, I started developing a really solid vocabulary around the things I was learning through my experiences and personal growth. And by having a greater understanding, things started making more and more sense. My life changed.

Taking down the perfectionism armor will never feel comfortable, but it will let the light in, I can promise you that. Whenever we pretend that everything is okay, that we don't care or try to live up to an impossible standard, we lose the magic of what makes us human. Unlearning perfectionism is vulnerable- it's risky and uncertain, and it may start with very small acts of courage, but its where some of the most powerful, spontaneous and inspiring moments will surface.

There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.
- Leonard Cohen 

Find Your Calm Every Day

"Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart."

I really love this quote because it helps us reframe our ideas around what it means to be calm or find calm. It takes the pressure off.
Oftentimes we think that we need to get rid of all the negative thoughts and challenges to be calm. Well good luck, because that ain't going to happen.
When we understand that we don't need to "get rid" of anything to find peace, we can finally relax.

The greatest skill and strength we can develop is the ability to engage in our imperfect, messy lives and find the space and calm in the midst of it all.

I'm not going to leave you hangin' to just "think" about what this would mean because there are actually practices we can develop and integrate into our everyday lives that create this state no matter what you are going through.

1 Drop the Resistance
If we just allowed ourselves to experience what we're experiencing right now without judgement, without labeling it as good/bad or right/wrong, we would find so much more ease. No matter what the emotion or state we are in, we always have access to ease. It's what we "think" about the experience that causes the resistance.

You are okay, right where you are. Everything is okay when you stop fighting it.

2 Practice Just Being
Take time to just be.
One of the challenges I find myself having these days is letting go of the need to respond to messages right away and check my phone for updates. They can wait.
Making my well-being a priority, making it a priority to get into a place of calm and connected-ness to myself first can be such a game changer.
Take time to be with yourself, with whatever you are experiencing, in stillness.
Greet yourself with unconditional love and kindness and allow yourself the space to process where you're at.

3 Make Peace with your Past and Let Yourself Heal
Often we allow our past to mean more than it has to. You are who you are now in this living, breathing present experience and you are constantly evolving and growing into greater awareness and potential.

Yes, our past is part of our story and in many ways has contributed to where we are now, but right now is your point of access. Choice, being, presence, power and aliveness are available to us in this moment, not in the past. Your past has no more power over you than you allow it to in this moment.

The only reason it keeps coming up now is because there is resistance. Maybe you need to forgive yourself or forgive someone else. Or maybe you need to let yourself heal or accept and honor the struggles you had in the past. Once we love all of who we are, we can relax into the now.

4 Trust Yourself
Many times, our fear of the future, of uncertainty and doubting whether we can handle a certain thing causes us stress in this moment. The "what if's" can be deadly.
Trust yourself that you'll handle whatever is yet to come, when and if it comes.
Fear is bullshit. It is a story we create in our minds to protect ourselves from uncertainty. Instead, we can learn to acknowledge the fear, but understand that it is just a feeling and not indicative of what will happen. You will handle what happens when it happens. You will know what to do and how to be.

8 Habits of Strong Mental Health

Self care really is a practice. It takes commitment, awareness and a bit of discipline. Each one of us is unique and what works for one person may or may not work for the other. But at the end of the day, we each need to do the work to figure out what we need.

Whether you are struggling with a mental health issue or not, mental health is something we all have and owe it to ourselves to make a priority.

Our sense of well-being is body mind and soul. It takes the integration of practices that nourish and allow us to connect to all three parts. Over time, I've found a certain set of strategies to have a big impact on my level of happiness and fulfillment each day. When times are tough, I've found that having a few core effective strategies that we practice consistently is a very powerful way to feel supported and nourished. Although simple, small steps done consistently is best when we are feeling overwhelmed, we may discover more effective strategies to add to our toolbox along our journey or find ourselves replacing old coping strategies with new ones. This is all part of the process. The more we know about ourselves, the better we will know how to live.
So be patient with yourself.

Now before I give you my two cents, I do want to acknowledge the fact that self care, like any other, is a journey. It takes both courage and patience. We may feel frustrated at times and look for quick fixes, but the truth is that the real power comes into effect when we slow down and give ourselves permission to take one brave step at a time. So again, be patient with yourself.

Self care is really about self love. It's about saying to ourselves, "I matter and I am enough no matter what. I'm going to make time for myself. I'm going to make feeling good a priority."

1 Take Time to Rest
Taking time to rest, and get proper sleep is so important. This might mean we turn off tech two hours before bed and take time to slow down or it may mean that we take 20 mins in the day to just lay down. Too often, we tie our self worth to how much we are doing, to how busy we are. Realize that you are worthy, no matter how much you do, and you may find it easier to give yourself permission to rest.

2 Spend Time with Positive Friends
We all know how energizing it feels to be around good vibes. It's fucking contagious.
Make it a priority to be around people who bring out the best in you and support your personal growth. This practice alone is live-changing.

3 Eat Wholesomely  
Eating for nourishment is all about balance. Most of the time I eat wholesome, unprocessed foods rich in nutrients. Small regular meals. However, some chocolate or a burger once in a while never hurt anyone. Just do what feels good.

4 Move
I'm big on running and spend time regularly at the gym but when it's sunny out, I rollerblade, bike and hike as well. Sometimes I dance. The key is regular movement. It's what makes you sweat, whatever that is. Then make it regular.

5 Take In Inspiring Content
The music we listen to, books we read and blogs we follow all affect how we feel. Positive content makes us feel good mentally, just like wholesome, nourishing food makes our body feel good. Be picky about what you choose to read, watch or listen to.

6 Take a Break
It may be a day to yourself or a short getaway. If you can, take time to travel. Traveling nourishes our soul and opens up our mind to new things.

7 Hire A Coach or Therapist
We all need help. Talking to someone who empowers us to embrace our emotions or find greater clarity can be very powerful. Coaching and therapy are different so take some time to ask yourself what you are looking for and hire accordingly.

8 Cultivate Self-Compassion
Along my path of personal growth, I've come across the work of Dr. Kristin Neff multiple times. What she has to say about self-compassion is brilliant.
Do you talk to yourself the way you talk to someone you love? You can take the self compassion test here: copy and paste the link.
http://self-compassion.org/test-how-self-compassionate-you-are/
Oftentimes we are hardest on ourselves. On my path, I've found that cultivating a gentle and loving approach towards myself has transformed the way I live, love and lead. If you want some specific exercises, Neff has some great ones up on her website.

On Life-Changing Habits, Being Brave and Staying Strong.

You. Yes you, the one who is reading this.
You are loved.
You are so strong.
You are worthy.
No matter what.

Today is #BellLetsTalk day, where there has been a huge surge of conversation around mental health to allow us to move past the stigma. It filled me with such strength to see people posting their stories of strength and struggle on Facebook. I am deeply moved and am more inspired than ever to continue making a difference in this world, connecting authentically and becoming a stronger version of myself so I can inspire others to do the same.

Life isn't always easy. I've had my own struggles with mental health. I've had ups and downs. I've fallen down and gotten back up.
Stronger.
Wiser.
More real.
More powerful.
And more able to connect and own my story with each step.

But I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for the friends and people in my life who have supported me along my journey. My therapist, coach and mentors. Resourceful, positive and supportive individuals who have been there and loved and accepted me unconditionally. I am so grateful.

If my struggle has taught me one thing, it's that asking for help is never weakness.
It's courage.
It's strength.
Asking for help may just as well be the most powerful step we take to stand up for ourselves and claim our unconditional self worth.
We are here on this earth to love and support each other.
This is why we are here. With each day I become more and more certain about this truth.

When we choose to ask for help from the people who support us in becoming our strongest selves, we feel seen and heard and everyone deserves to feel seen and heard.
You deserve it.

Asking for help is one habit that supports all others.

Life is Too Short to Ignore Love

After a recent breakup that really opened up my eyes to how big love really is, I felt the need to share these words with you.

Love has no limit unless we put one on it
But if we don't,
The world will open right up
The Universe will hear our wild call and give us what our soul has been seeking
But will you listen?
Of course you will, dammit

I've ignored it before, but not this time
This time is too real to walk away
Too raw
Too much of pure magic
Even though I knew it would hurt from the beginning

I felt your soul wanted mine
So I surrendered to my ecstasy

Now, looking back with tear stained cheeks
There is not one moment I would take back
Every call to embrace vulnerability I took eagerly
And with glistening eyes I sit in gratitude
To know the experience that makes us feel most alive

Where You Are Now Is Okay

Where you are right now is right where you need to be. There is a reason why you are here and lessons to be learned in this present moment experience, whatever you are experiencing. This, right here and now is where your magic lies.

Being where you are now fully is how you will get to where you want to go.

Clarity hit me like a bullet today as I experienced one of those moments where everything makes sense and comes full circle.

I am planning a trip to Thailand this March and it made me realize how valuable every step has been on my journey this past year, including the not-so-high-flying ones. Each step has been necessary for me to become a stronger version of myself and get to where I am now. Thailand is the icing on the cake, but the work I've done consistently over this year is what makes me who I am today.
Thailand, of course, is just going to add that much more badassery.

I needed to open up to every part of my journey this year to appreciate the big things. I needed to open up to the healing to find the love. I needed to love the sadness to get to the joy. I needed to love the shitty days and what they are there to teach me in order to be at peace.  I needed to embrace the chaos to find understanding. I needed to love myself in the times I fell apart to love myself in the times when I have it together.

We must patiently honor every step of our journey. Each experience we have prepares us for the next one if we stop and allow ourselves to see that where we are now is not wrong or bad just because we aren't as far ahead as we expected. This is part of the path. Right now. Trust it. Where you are is okay and necessary. It's here to teach you, heal you and open you up.

Be ambitious, keep moving. Be bold. But also appreciate all the spaces in between. Life happens in any moment we choose to open up to it.
Yes, it will all make sense. And it does. But we don't need to beat ourselves up in the moments when it doesn't. The Universe has your back and everything comes full circle.

So perhaps we need to love ourselves even more in those moments of chaos and uncertainty. Those moments are perhaps more important. They are the times that make us stronger. They make the good times and success mean more.

As we venture into 2016, let us remember that this moment right now is happening for a reason. It is here to show us something and prepare us for what's next. It's part of our success and we need to be here right now for the rest to make sense.