Does your journey ever feel like this? The picture is titled “Relativity” by M.C. Escher.

rel·a·tiv·i·ty

ˌreləˈtivədē/

noun

noun: relativity; noun: special theory of relativity; noun: general theory of relativity

1 the absence of standards of absolute and universal application.”moral relativity”

2 PHYSICS
the dependence of various physical phenomena on relative motion of the observer and the observed objects, especially regarding the nature and behavior of light, space, time, and gravity.

I’m fast approaching the two year anniversary of my first post to this blog and the anniversary of leaving Corporate America behind. As it approaches I find myself feeling like I’m stuck in M.C. Escher’s Relativity, but you know what’s great about the universe? It always sends you what you need, when you need it, at just the right moment. As a side note I’m also approaching mine and my husband’s anniversary. There’s a lot to celebrate! So why don’t I feel very celebratory?…We’ll get back to that, but first the Universe or GOD or however you process the something bigger than you and I in this life.

So a friend of mine Yon Na who happens to be an AMAZING human being and one of my many inspirations has her own blog it’s called Butters & Bambi (highly suggest checking it out) and she also has this new blog.

https://www.wevolution.us/new-blog/2018/1/1/7

So as it happens, as the significance of these up and coming anniversaries start to weigh on me and the feelings of being in one of M.C. Escher’s pictures starts to settle on me…what does the universe do you ask?? It sends me Yon and her amazing post, which reads:

Man, did I need that post! Then it dawns on me why I’m feeling like I’m running around the “Relativity” picture…I’m in need of NEW long-range goals! How do I fit into the BIG picture? What’s my role? What’s my next contribution supposed to look like? These anniversaries mark the achievement of what once, two years ago were my long-range goals! We must keep searching, keeping dreaming so that as Yon reminded me, “to keep from being frustrated by the short-range failures!” I must also add, surround yourself with those that inspire you, that which lifts your spirits and challenges you to be better, DO better, to keep dreaming big! So for this new year I wish you much success on the hunt for your new long-range goals and the amazing human beings the universe sends to you that fit into your group of inspiration. Be kind to one another Y’ALL! XOXO♥️

It’s 2am in the morning and there’s a lot on my mind that I can’t sleep so I decided to write…

I found these shirts the other day at Target for our upcoming annual family holiday photo shoot, they read “TOGETHER WE CAN DO ANYTHING #FAMILYGOALS”. I love that…Together WE can do ANYTHING. It should have had on it #WORLDGOALS.

to·geth·er is defined as;

With or in proximity to another person or people; at the same time; self-confident, level-headed or well organized

Together…but separate. There’s a lot of information these days on what’s called “holding space” for someone. Usually in relation to grieving a death but I think we do this everywhere in life. A spouse will hold space for the other who’s being the asshole that month (it’s a thing, I swear!), Friends hold space for other friends while they mourn unexpected change in their lives. And parents hold space for their children as they fight to discover who they are and find their own independence.

Together…but separate.

I began this post in mid-November and it’s now the 2nd week of January 2018! Happy New Year! Boy, I never expected this topic to be more significant than it originally started as. We live in Ventura County and if you haven’t been watching the news…the night of December 4th 2017 changed our community forever with the biggest wildfire to hit in the history of California and took the life of Fire Engineer, Cory Iverson and today January 9th the nightmare continues with mudslides in Montecito that has so far taken 13 lives and this number is expected to climb. There has been so much shockwave change since October 2017. Not just in my little speck of the universe but on a much bigger scale and the same still rings true “Together WE CAN do ANYTHING!” #WorldGoals

I stumbled upon this poem last week and I instantly knew it was meant to remind me.SO, it looks like 2018 has decided to start out with lessons. Lessons on perspective. Lessons on compassion and empathy. Lessons on humility and lastly lessons on holding space for your grieving fellow human being. Whether that grief be over the loss of a loved one, or the loss of a cherished home where memories were made. Grief over the loss of what was the plan for the future. And lastly, grief that a parent goes through when a child has gone off course. It all must be allowed and it can’t be rushed. The best thing is to be the person that will hold the space and let GOD do what he’s good at…the healing of broken hearts and the giver of beauty for ashes because “Together WE CAN do ANYTHING!”

My final thought…if you haven’t been told or if you doubt, KNOW that you are AMAZING, BEAUTIFUL, ONE of a KIND and equipped with special talents that only you can use and the world is a brighter place because of you!

So it’s been 1 year, 3 months and 27 days since I’ve been here…WOW! So what has happened since June 30th 2016…well WHAT hasn’t happened! LOL! I’ll get back to that. First, this photo…

I LOVE this photo! I found it in google images and it says SO much. A powerful, magical, mostly misunderstood and feared creature sleeping atop its treasure yet its allowed someone to chain it down OR perhaps its chained itself? The beautiful thing is the light breaking through above the sleeping dragon, dare I say hope or inspiration shining through awakening the dragon, inspiring it to rid itself of the chains, reminding the dragon it does not have to have those chain if it does not want them…

Now, back to what’s happened in the last year, 3 months and 27 days…

The universe sent us this little guy to keep safe in a time when his young life was turned upside down. It was a busy 2016 summer to say the least! Happy ending for this little fellow who had a grandparent who wanted him and was willing to do whatever it took to get him. I’ll tell you right now, being a foster parent is NO easy task and I’m an experienced parent! But what I would realize later…and what GOD/The Universe was doing was preparing me, humbling me. Making me really appreciate my own circumstances even my OWN children! ANY parent will tell you no one can drive you to the brink quite like your kids can! But my children are healthy, we are able to provide for our children’s needs, keep them safe and surrounded with love. It may seem small to most but it’s not. It wasn’t for our little guest.

Fast forward to September 2016…

We found out this little guy was scheduled to make his debut March 2017.

THUNK!!!

That’s the sound my body made when I hit the floor in shock. And then…

WTF!! I want a refund on my procedure I paid for 3 years ago!

LOL! Thanks Universe. I LOVE a good curve ball thrown at my well laid out plans for what I think is my life’s journey…said NO ONE EVER!

Can I tell you, he’s been the BEST curve ball in our lives! What’s the saying?

“Life’s what happens when you’re making other plans”

HELLO LIFE! Once I stepped past the fear, once I focused on breaking free of my self induced chains, I was able to recognize the treasure I was sitting on, I was free to see the beautiful light shining above me. I was able to remember the humbling feeling I had caring for our summer guest and remind myself, if I could successfully complete that task the universe had sent the Summer of 2016 then I was strong enough for this task!

I even finished one of those Pinterest projects I said I’d planned in my first blog post. It took me 9 months to finish what should have taken 2 weeks BUT I did it! 🙌🏼

A lot has changed in a year, three months and 27 days! Not just in my little speck of space in the universe, our country is in a state of instability. NO matter what side of the fence you sit on, it’s noticeable. I guess the question is, what chains are you allowing to block your view of the treasure your sitting on. What chains exist that are keeping you from seeing the beautiful light that’s shining on your powerful, majestic sometimes misunderstood self? This beautiful planet sure could use a few more magical dragons awaken from their slumber ready to discover and share their own individual treasures.

Make it a great day Y’ALL! Be kind to one another. XOXO♥️

There are no two people exactly alike in the ENTIRE world…that’s a lot of diversity! Sure there are similarities but what is truly exciting is the non-similarities. The little treasures that you’ve been given, that I’ve been given. It’s there for us to discover and because it’s unique to you, unique to me, NO ONE can steal it from us! We all are truly running our own race in this life! That’s breathtaking and so liberating! I started to take steps towards my hearts calling last year when I knew my career path was going to change. I procrastinated and prayed for a different path. It was so scary and felt like a HUGE responsibility that I didn’t feel would work well. I can imagine Joan of Arc at the beginning of her journey and then letting go and her acceptance. Another famous man comes to mind as well…

As I’ve let go of what could go wrong and just take it one day at a time…provision keeps coming in, knocking down any walls of doubt that I’m on the right path. I’m living a desire I’ve had for most of my adult life and it’s wild. I’m not sure what the future will look like but I’m living this life day by day and as each one passes I feel less and less fear of digging up my treasure. A treasure that only I can use. One specifically for me, my birth right. Cheers to finding your hidden treasures! 

  
As the world mourns the sudden loss of a music legend. His words ring true. 

Dearly beloved

We are gathered here today To get through this thing called life 

Electric word life

It means forever and that’s a mighty long time But I’m here to tell you There’s something else

The after world

A world of never ending happiness You can always see the sun, day or night

So when you call up that shrink in Beverly Hills You know the one, Dr. Everything’ll Be Alright Instead of asking him how much of your time is left Ask him how much of your mind, baby

‘Cause in this life

Things are much harder than in the after world

In this life

You’re on your own

And if the elevator tries to bring you down

Go crazy, punch a higher floor

Is that what we’re all here for? To get through this beautiful messy thing called life? And if we’re lucky our deeds here on earth will last well beyond our transition. So profound!! Will you use your powers for good or evil? Will you take risks in pursuit of making this life better for others which will in turn make things better for yourself as well or will you stay in your comfort zone too scared of what others will think of you? I personally want to live like Prince. Rest in Peace sir. You certainly made this life better for all of us. 

  
It’s interesting how life’s changes can seem to happen in the blink of an eye. As we begin the celebration of our oldest child’s 21st birthday. The universe has put so many reminders in this day, a celebration of a coming of age, a right of passage. My child hearing the news of a peer losing his life to substance abuse, and the run in with an old nemesis who has gone from the ugly duckling to the beautiful swan. The universe will show you signs of inevitable change, it will remind you that you and you alone have control over yourself and your choices. Make the choices count! So as we cheer the swan on, and mourn the life cut too short, and celebrate this right of passage may we always…
Sing like no one is listening.

Love like you’ve never been hurt.

Dance like nobody’s watching,

and live like it’s heaven on earth.

  
It’s funny how life works, I received an email from a ghost yesterday that I wasn’t expecting. Not to be cliche but the saying “When one door closes GOD opens a window”…It’s VERY true BUT sometimes what can appear to be a window may actually be the entrance to a trap. Not a gift from the universe or GOD at all but actually a distraction from the enemy to get you off the path you’re supposed to be on. Tricky, Tricky…SO the question is “HOW can you tell the difference?” Funny you should ask! You keep looking for answers, you keep asking for guidance, you get a mentor’s perspective and above all you sit quietly and let GOD/The Universe guide you. Through these people and places that you seek from you’ll know which is the gift and which is the distraction. In the span of a few minutes Joel Osteen and the E-Ministry posted such guidance:

Joel’s reads: 

God’s dream for your life is much bigger than your own. Don’t get satisfied just having your needs supplied. Be grateful, but know God has so much more in store. He wants you to come into overflow, into abundance to where you can be a greater blessing wherever you go.

E-min.org reads:

Prayer: LORD, when You put in my heart and mind to do a thing, I want to do it with enthusiasm, passion, and excellence. I know that if I do it well, You will be honored. On the other hand, if I do not do it well, it will be a shame to me. Help me to do my work with excellence–not just because others will see, but because it is a matter of integrity between us. As I honor You first, others may see, but Your opinion is what is most important. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Let the search for guidance commence! 

Is it? Are weekends and what they mean starting to die?  I love a post I read from Joel Osteen this morning. It reads:

When God created you, He stepped back and said, “That was good.” He calls you a masterpiece. Quit living like you’re ordinary, average or mediocre; you’re one of a kind. You’re a prized possession. You’re wearing a crown of favor.

The days are starting to run into each other with the weekends getting lost in the mix. Structure is definitely in order! My husband and I came upon a young lady in the turning lane broken down on our way to start our days errands…SO Carpe Diem on this Sunday! We pulled over and pushed her to the side of the road. Ok Universe what’s next on your agenda?

It’s amazing what the mind must do to close the proverbial chapter. A mourning process must be had. Time allowed to grieve.

The internet says the following on the seven stages:

The seven emotional stages of grief are usually understood to be shock or disbelief, denial, bargaining, guilt, anger, depression, and acceptance/hope. Symptoms of grief can be emotional, physical, social, or religious in nature. 

I think I’m at acceptance/hope since I’ve had a year to come to terms with this chapter closing, a year to theorize on a plan. I fedex’d the last of my company belongings Thursday and now I’ve started to hit Pinterest harder that an alcoholic who’s fallen off the wagon! My corporate fed mind is searching for projects, searching for the adrenaline that comes from deadlines and stress. SHIT! I’m going through withdrawals, is there a name for these withdrawals?! I’m going to need to start a detox STAT!  It’s only been a week and I ACTUALLY MISS the sound of my phone dinging in the middle of the night with emails. SERIOUS DETOX in order! I’ll let you know how that goes when I get one. For now I’m holding on to my early morning cappuccinos, CNN and the prospect of gutting every room in my house. WISH ME LUCK!