Forward Intentions

Have requirements, not expectations.

2023 was easily the toughest year, not for me personally, but for my dearhearts. But sitting here at the beginning of the new year, only a few days from closing out January, I’m feeling grateful. Kinda neat how life shakes us once in a while and brings us exactly what we need to learn. It’s so easy to cruise on auto pilot through life. I know how difficult it is to be there... the space between what used to be: the traditions, the times you loved best, the fun, the stuff, the family, the love.. and what's next. You're not sure what's to come, it's scary for sure.

So I have requirements, not expectations.

Be intentional. Level up the effort. Keep your word. Always be honest. Stay consistent. Those are my requirements, not expectations. Work on being authentic, caring, and kind. The world needs more of that. I need more of that. Let go of the things you can't change and focus on what you can. I strongly believe what is meant for me will happen for me in a way which I could never expect or explain. Nothing can get in the way of it and how it will enter into my life.

Let 2024 be all about using your energy intentionally. Make no apologies for how you choose to create and make a life on your own terms. Be intentional about your time and who you spend it with. Surround yourself with people who lift you up and motivate you. Surround yourself with people you remind you of your worth, especially on the days you can't see it yourself. You deserve a circle that adds value and brings and love to your life.

• Be intentional. The world needs more of this. I need more of this.

I often am told I am a lot.

My clapback: you're damn right. I am a lot of woman. With a lot of layers. A lot of personality. A lot of passion. A lot of dreams. A lot of ideas. A lot of strategies. A lot of emotions. A lot of love. Yeah, you are right. I am A LOT. We need other people in our lives who think we are a BIG deal. No competition. No backhanded comments. No jealousy.

Just "I love you. I support you and there is NO ONE on Earth like you."

This is my time and my choice, and I choose to be more. In the end, what matters most is my happiness. Happy with my life, with my world and happy working on me. Keep moving forward and doing things that fill the soul with joy. If you ask me, that's a pretty good place to be or start for 2024 ♥

Painful Carries

Healing is messy.

There will be good and bad days. Many days reminiscing what you could have done to change the outcome and other days you’re happily living your best life. There will be moments you feel completely over the heartbreak or loss and random moments where it all hits you over again. Through it all, remember you are human. It’s normal to feel, to break down, to smile. Take all the time you need to move on.

• Just as food is essential for your body, self love is essential for your soul... much like sunsets.

• Location: Arizona

I think there is immense pressure to turn every negative into a positive. But I believe you are allowed to say, “ I am going through something difficult and it sucks” or “I went through something really strange and awful and it forever altered, changed me.” We don’t normalize that it’s ok to be not ok.

When your mental health is not in the best state, give yourself a break. Do not feel guilty for things you can’t do. Know that’s it’s ok to struggle.

Just as food is essential for your body, self love is essential for your soul.

But it may take time. It’s ok to not be jolly and full of cheer. Rest, recover, be kind to yourself and know this is temporary. It may not seem like it now, but you will get through this.

I think it’s beautiful, the way we carry pain. Carry it as long as you need to, until it doesn’t hurt you anymore. So you can finally put it down, lay it to rest. Only visit it again to grab the knowledge from the lesson. Trust the wait. Embrace the uncertainty. Enjoy the beauty of becoming. When nothing is certain, anything is possible. I hope Christmas was how you imagined or need it to be for you. As you open the first days of 2024, Happy New Year to all of the beautiful imperfections who wake up and keep trying every day… sending out so much love and possibilities for you my friends ♥

Branching Peace

Rooted, you bloom wherever you are planted.

I believe we are interconnected to people like one big human family tree. Even in adulthood, I am still stretching out my branches because I am deeply grounded in love. Experience has taught me that relationships come with the potential to enhance our unique biographies and our collective story as well. Rooted, you bloom wherever you are planted.

• Keep the peace in you as much as the peace around you.

• Location: Parker, CO

I am the person no one worries about because I always show up when people need me. Whether it’s writing a character reference only knowing you a few months. It’s loaning money knowing you swallowed your pride. It’s offering consulting services at a reduced rate because you need help. It’s sending referrals because I support small businesses. It’s walking your dog while I have a 103 fever. It’s holding your hand and crying together because loss is never easy. It’s defending your reputation when others speak ill of you. It’s all because of love and friendship.

I am the person who says “I got it.” Even when I really don’t sometimes. But I always figure it out. Everyone thinks I’m strong and I have it all together when I really just deal with things quietly.

My super power is a trifecta of resilience, fortitude, and gratitude.

I don’t let other people down. I really am the multipurpose friend. I’m down for brunch, church, kicking ass, working out, whatever. Just let me know. I am there.

If you pay attention to the patterns of your life, you’ll realize everything always works out. Everything always takes you to a greater destination. You always grow and the things you think you can’t survive, you somehow divinely make it through. That’s life. Always remember that. Don’t be the kind of person to settle. Keep not settling.

Ever notice how every hurtful action ever committed can be traced back to a selfish motive? The painful pill to swallow is that we are all essentially selfish. Think about it. It doesn’t mean you can never experience happiness, but simply you don’t negate the happiness of others so you can enjoy yourself. The bottom line is that you either make decisions out of love for others or love for yourself. Whatever you put your time, energy, and money into will become more important to you.

This next part is a message for the people who are not in my life anymore. Setting boundaries is not unkindness. It’s self care. Never confuse the two. I never seek losing anyone, it’s the opposite. I always fear losing people I care about. So if I lost you, it means you hurt me to a point that I could not tolerate. If I lost you it’s because I chose to leave after I gave you millions of chances. No relationship is ever a waste of time. If it didn’t bring you what you want, it taught you what you didn’t want. So release relationships that require unhealthy heavy emotional lifting. Nurture relationships that offer a sense of ease, openness, and reciprocity. During this season of gladness and season of cheer, make sure you keep the peace in you as much as the peace around you ♥