Head in the clouds, feet on the ground
In light of today's anniversary, let’s go back on a little journey through my mind.
“3 years can bring a lot of change, 3 years can bring a lot of growth- there is no better evolution than with time.”
Three years ago today, I was sipping champagne laying by a pool at what was undeniably one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. Basking in the glow of a proposal from the man of my dreams, celebrating with one of my longest and dearest friends (and her husband). Life was good. Everything was as it should be.
I take myself back to that day, so many thoughts I can vividly remember in my head. “Is this real life?” , “Man, we are lucky”.
I mean seriously, how could we be this lucky? We were given the opportunity in life to not only be owners in an established business, but to also be able to go for our dreams without hesitation. Experiencing things in life and being placed with opportunities we were incredibly lucky to have been given. There was nothing to want, nothing to long for. We had it all. I will always be forever thankful for that and know I am who I am today, because of the opportunities I have been given.
My head was in the clouds. At some point over the months, you come back down to reality, and life gets messy. I’ll spare the details and unnecessary drama that unfolded in the progressing days/months/years from that day in paradise to now, but leaving the answer to this question…. 3 years later, what is still standing, and most importantly what isn't?
Well I can tell you I’ve gained a lot more than what we’ve left behind. Even if money, an investment gone bad, and material loss lingers in the background of the past.. I’ve found myself with much more in this life than I could have ever asked for.
I have:
- Valuable Relationships. Not relationships built on manipulation, fear, strings attached or hidden agendas. Relationships rooted in love and support. Wanting the best for each other because you care, not because you benefit. God has surrounded me with amazing people in my life. People I love, deeply, genuinely, without hesitation. Who I’d do anything for and would do the same back. I feel incredibly lucky to have you all in my life <3
-Freedom. Freedom to think how I want, to say what I want, to do what I want, without the worry of how I will be perceived or what I will be accused of. Freedom to stand up for what I believe, to stand up for those I believe in. Freedom to make my own choices.
-Pride. To know that I am unshakeable. That I will not compromise my character for comfort. To know that I am strong enough to walk away, strong enough to face the unknown, and strong enough to go after my dreams instead of building someone else’s.
-Love. Support and strength. To have a network of family and friends that will always have my back, instead of trying to put a knife in the back of it. Unconditional love, the kind that pours out from the depth of your heart and spreads light to even the darkest moments. Love that comes from pain, from forgiveness, from hope. Going from angry to acceptance to understanding. To love enough that you can forgive without having to open yourself back up to unhealthy and toxic environments, but love from a distance, wanting change for the better.
It hasn’t happened over night, but what I can say is that I am better off for the path that I have walked over these years. I have been blessed to learn so much in such a short time of my life. To have gained so many lessons well learned. I am thankful.
This is my testament that you can have it all , lose it all and gain it back. Don’t be held back by your fear, don’t be held back by your doubt, or by the voices that are telling you “you aren’t good enough”, “ you can’t do it on your own”. You can and you will. You will find there is always light on the other side, if you are willing to go through the darkness to get there.