I'm sure glad I did because the results have been awesome!
Puerto Rico, Tybee Island, Nashville, TN and High Falls, GA have stood out as some of the best times recently, but there are plenty more adventures to soon be experienced! :)
Disclaimer: I'm not sure I'm back yet, ok?!? :) This is a blog entry, not a commitment to be more obligated to any one person or thing at the moment, besides myself and my dog. Sorry kids, friends and work - I'll catch up with you all soon. :)
Ok, now with that out of the way...I saw this quote this morning on a Shaman Medicine Woman site that reminded me how important it is to let go sometimes and how that can really open you up to all sorts of new and amazing things - I just had to steal it and share it here.
I'm not too sure how bright it is to steal from a Shaman, I imagine pretty bad. :) I just hope my testimonial helps, that her blog (http://www.ashiramedicinewoman.blogspot.com/) is my absolute favorite one out there! Dr. Carla Goddard somehow combines inspirational and gritty all in an active site where you're guaranteed to learn something every time you visit.
This morning she posted:
"Be brave and let go. Let go of fear, and pain. Stop holding to the thing that is tearing you apart. While you hang on, grimly gripping and clutching this to you, you deny yourself freedom, new gifts, love. It is madness to presume that you are more wise than the Universe. Let go. Trust. - Nicole Cody"
This couldn't be more true!! I have been amazed at how being brave and setting aside fear has changed things in my life and I have to be honest that it took me a little while to create a good balance between freedom and restraint, and bring myself back to center -but now, it feels great!
Life changed dramatically for me at 40 - the kids were suddenly all grown up and out of the house at once. I found myself footloose and fancy free! I sold everything I owned and spent a month in the woods in Alaska. I learned more lessons in that short time than I could've ever imagined possible.
I learned to trust myself and let go of fear. I learned that life has a very distinct dark side, as much as it has a light one. I also learned that the power to change my world was inside of me. Once I managed to practice these things for a while, I became more grounded and that led to a clarity that has allowed me to change my life in a positive and permanent way. I work less and I treasure my experiences more than I do material things.
Pursuing things I love, like road trips to the coast or some foreign land has made me really happy with this new stage in my life - 40 is not so bad after all! The trick is, being brave enough to experience it!