So let me back up little bit. 2017 marks my #chooseAND mantra – the idea that you can have your dream life being fulfilled in both relationship and in career. Something that I might not have shared is that I included a little subtitle of #fearless. When mapping out the things I was thinking, worrying about, wanting to change…I noticed quite a trend. I wrote the phrase “fear of” too many times. “Fear of being chosen”, “fear of letting others down” – specifically in the social arena, “fear of making the wrong life choices”, “fear of settling”. This year, I challenged myself to become fearless. Essentially stop worrying about all of those things. Now, I don’t mean that I spend hours every day thinking about these things, but somewhere inside me, these ideas are floating around. I have recently realized those ideas come into play any time I’m thinking about my future, which I believe is the root cause of my #chooseAND dilemma.

I have taken a very large leap of faith because I truly believe I can be living life better… smarter… more intentional. I have had an amazing life, but when in Africa, I realized that a simple life is actually what I aspire to have.  When I say simple, I mean a life that is filled with memorable moments. Moments that include amazing people. Surrounded by love. The ability to acknowledge the little things that make a day great.  Being present. Being aware of what’s going on around me. I want to be a good friend. I want to be a wife and a mother who is present. I want to have picnics outside. I want to travel the world.

I want to have a life well lived and a life celebrated at every turn instead of constantly chasing for more.  Bliss.

I have lived the last several years of my life striving to be this person that I don’t even identify with anymore. I was going from event to event. Advancing my Rolodex day by day.  I was working for an amazing organization and helping people make in impact in our community – so don’t get me wrong. I was doing what I love. I just think I was creating a life where I gave myself to everyone and every thing I engaged in and lost track of who I am and the life that I want to have.

I realized you can make an impact without giving up who you are OR without losing out on living life that leads to bliss.

I’m striving to remember what’s important to me. I’m building a life that allows me to live my dreams in their entirety while still being in the moment and enjoying life as it comes. It’s important to enjoy the seasons as they come instead of waiting for the perfect weather day. There’s beauty in all of it – as long as we’re looking for it.