Dance with Me

“Let em come, the storms, the rain. Let them blow and shake, rattle and flash. These feet will not move, I will lean into the fray and dance in the chaos. I am built for enduring all that can be thrown at me. See me here, still, and listen to the sky tremble.” // Tyler Knott

I’m dancing in the rain. This has been, to put it lightly, a whirlwind of a week, month, year. So here I am on the road again, endlessly discovering myself and my purpose. Refocused and ready to find clarify through this mayhem.

I have always said that time is merely a concept and for reasons that I cannot explain, life will turn to us at any given moment and say “time to put this chapter to rest, lets write an even better one.” So that is what we do, because at the end of the day I think it is safe to say we all know and understand that pain in never permanent.

One day, one decision, one brave moment; that is all it took. I sincerely believe that we have to take risks in order to learn hard life lessons. It isn’t always easy and I promise you that no matter how much you try, you will never be prepared for whatever the outcome is. I tried to protect and prepare myself for all possibilities: it was not enough. There are some things that we just cannot feel until we are in the moment as it is unraveling. Bittersweet and coated with anxiety. When it happened I thought the answer was to gulp the pain and avoid making others suffer. I put myself in a position that I perceived as weak. Thank-you to my friend who reminded me that taking a chance is brave and I should be proud – no matter the aftermath.

There is no growth in comfort. We grow most as a result of the painful and challenging times. This life is not a matter of win or lose – it is a matter of learning. If there is one lesson I encourage people to embrace in their own hardships, it is that you should never reject your instinct. Trust it. Look within and follow your gut – it is leading you somewhere. Be mindful of yourself. What is meant to be will be. I truly believe that some things are meant to stay while others are destined to leave. It is dangerous to count on someone else with your heart and soul. However it’s a risk we take and I’ll tell you one thing – it’s always worth it. People do not want that pressure; it scares them but we do it anyways; often times surprising ourselves with how much we are capable of. So be your own foundation and seek support from friends and family. They are your home team; they are your #1.

When you are facing times in your lives where you are hurt by circumstances you cannot control, take the chance that life is giving you to heal. When one door closes, many doors open.

So until then, dance with me in the rain.

 

Head up, heart strong.

 

Expressions of Gratitude

My words, written and spoken, come from a place deeply rooted in my heart and soul. A great deal of my work is about understanding the aching, demanding, chaotic and confusing moments that we endure; viewing them in a favorable manner. I try to make sense of my  world, and share it with all of you because there’s a little bit of sunshine, even on the rainiest days.  

I am passionate about life. I wholeheartedly believe that love can heal all. That is why my mission is to spread as much love as I can.

As a human, I am so flawed. But my soul, man. My soul is so genuine and whole that it could light up the darkest room. That is why I am here. I want to help light up the darkest parts of your lives.

It is easy to talk about the bad things. The things that make us hurt, angry or frustrated. But today I want to talk about gratitude. Expressing our gratitude is vital to our well-being and joy.

Grat·i·tude : the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.

Yesterday, when I was experiencing some anxiety, my gracious friend Natalie stood in front of me and told me to list 10 things that I was grateful for. In my hazy mindset I started to think. I did not want to list just any 10 things; I wanted them to count. As I began telling her the things I was grateful for, I felt more grounded. The haze lifted and I smiled. I am thankful that Natalie invited me to take a moment to reflect upon the things that make my heart full. Her approach inspired me and I wanted to share it with all of you because I think it will inspire you too.

I encourage you to take 30, 60, or 90 seconds out of your day to list 10 things that you are grateful for. Share them with someone. It will spread a positive light. It is a small act of kindness to yourself and to others. Let’s say thank-you and cultivate full hearts. It’ll be worth it, I promise.

Thank you for reading my words and for adding passion and purpose into my life.

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.” // Melody Beattie

Head up, heart strong.