Reach out more. I find myself in this place sometimes thinking how my friends don’t reach out to me enough, but what about me? I justify my behavior by telling myself that I work 45-50 hrs a week, and that they all know I recently moved and always have something to be doing at my new house. But I think about the time I take for me… the time I take to walk around my property or practice yoga or whatever. There is always time. It’s also a nice reminder that you get what you give. I don’t consider myself – or them – bad friends, but I could definitely be doing a better job. I’m going to reach out to one of my girls when I get off work today!

I found myself feeling apprehensive about the future yesterday morning. My boyfriend said something about a large purchase we are going to make for a business plan, and my ego took that information and turned it sideways, making it all about me, old fears, and worry. It became personal, and I felt anxiety building. And I wasn’t worried about our business plan, I was future tripping about our life together, plans to marry, and all the stuff related to being a couple in love.

I am fortunate these days to be able to recognize what is happening before it gets out of control, and what gave me strength yesterday was pausing, breathing, and saying a quick prayer to keep me grounded and in the moment. And then I had to reflect on the things I had been thru and all of the great lessons I’ve learned in trust and letting go. So I let go. And the anxiety and worry went away.

In April 2017, I got fired from what I thought I would retire from. It was out of nowhere, and I was thanked for helping build their business and customer base. But because I wouldn’t see their life coach/cult leader… a guy who also just became the owner of their business, they fired me. My family & friends were devastated and scared for me, but for some reason I wasn’t worried. I had earlier that year left my ex-husband, and I knew my life was getting better. It was an uncertain time, but I trusted that I was going to be okay. I got a job at a healthy supermarket in town, working there a little over a year before moving to a larger healthy supermarket. What a move, as the other one went out of business earlier this year! In less than 2 years where I am at now, I have stepped into a leadership role and made some amazing connections, the most important of all being the love of my life, my soulmate! Completely unexpected, and honestly, not something I was not focused on at all.

Now, I have landed somewhere totally unplanned, and I know I am EXACTLY where i need to be. We found a beautiful piece of property in the country, and the energy here is rejuvenating and peaceful and just feels right. And it’s because we’re where we are meant to be. God had this plan for us, and I’m grateful that I learned to let go and allow this all to happen. I know God wants me (and each of you!) to be happy, something I wasn’t quite so sure about in the past. What a great life!

I’m grateful when I wake up and notice my breath. And the smell of my partner, if he’s still in bed. And the softness of my cat’s fur when he realizes I’m up and is nuzzling because he wants some breakfast. The smell of fresh coffee, having just brewed before my alarm (big gratitude to the person who invented programmable coffee machines!). The taste of the coffee is, of course, delightful as well! The bright sun blinding me thru my kitchen window as I sit at this little island thinking about how quiet it is in our beautiful home in the country, not so far from the city life we left to find this peace. The dog is out rolling around now in our fresh cut grass, enjoying the dew coolness before the southern heat sets in for the day. Frogs croaking in the pond, birds chirping in the trees… man, life is really good.

I have been a certified tree hugger since high school. I love trees and recognize their beauty and strength and ability to bend when necessary. Earlier this year, we bought some property in the country. It was winter when we found it, and there was a very large, dead-looking tree in the back. My boyfriend thought it would for sure have to come down, but I saw life in it. It is a pecan tree and is amazingly lush and beautiful now! I instantly felt connected to that tree. I was talking with one of my sisters about that same tree several months ago, and she said she loved trees because “they make us look up.” I love that.