Road trips are for girls

I love when you have the sort of weekend that lingers in your mind for days after. When in the middle of work, or watering the flowers a huge smile creeps along your face at the memory of such a wonderful, memorable and inspiring time.

This girl rocks my world! She is so, so fun to be around. I think because she is so accepting of people's hearts and a pure lover of life. Yeah, the kind of girl you want to take on a road trip, oh and be friends with forever.

Moments of belly~laughing, spray~paint, bubbles, muddling mojitos and meeting great new friends.

We met some amazing artists and they beautifully accepted us into their totally chill home filled with pottery, music, jewelry and funky designed clothes. The kind of place where you can talk about real, meaningful ideas and the next be spilling over in laughter.

I feel lucky meeting these people that allowed us not to only see the town, but how they create their lives. We got to see a friend's gallery in the midst of being built. Usually you get to experience the final exhibit. I felt totally inspired to see behind the scenes. I could imagine us doing the same. One really great girl sewed a shirt on the spot for Amanda and gave me a patch for my jeans. We looked through the pottery of another, and I just chilled as another designed jewelery as we talked.

I feel relaxed, inspired, laughed-out and wanting some more. I feel grateful of my old friendship and excited for the new ones and for feeling rich on joy.

Enjoy the journey

If you don't know where you are going, you can never get lost
~Herb Cohen~

I found this quote and although simple it speaks volumes to me. I tend to worry about what I am doing career wise and that maybe I should have already accomplished more and taken more risks. From this worry I put myself on hold, afraid to budge from my safety net. I tell myself I should know what I want to do by now and I should be well on my way. I think to myself- I should be more, have more to give and experience deeper. I worry high hopes were set and I somehow failed certain expectations. Why worry? What good does it bring?

Well....What if I don't know where I am going?

Sure I have big ideas about how I would like to see my life unfold. Many times I can even imagine what it must feel like to feel more accomplished than I am now. I see myself opening a restaurant, researching developmental psychology, writing a book on learning disabilities, creating art, and raising a family. I often feel lost about how to make these dreams of mine happen. So, instead of trying to navigate each detail over where I think I should end up maybe I will allow my path to unfold as I walk it and not worry so much about where I am going, rather enjoying the journey there.

Speaking of journeys~
Girly laughter, checking out local live music, talking, journal writing, inspiring local artists, checking out organic restaurants, and being in the company of this wonderful friend is what I am looking forward to this weekend in Asheville.

Sentiments

I've been feeling sentimental lately and I can't really figure out why. I have noticed myself picking out my old music to listen to and giving my time over to silent reflection, but for what is not apparent to me yet. I feel my inner self working feverishly and holding the feelings of my words trapped inside.

A few months ago my husband and I went to a wedding where the bride and groom had met on a blind date set up by us. The bride to be worked with me and the groom with my husband. Shortly after they began dating they each quit as if the only reason they had been brought to these particular jobs was to meet one another. I just love this story.

The next weekend we went to another wedding and the priest was Irish. Before the end of the ceremony he said these words from an Irish blessing. For some reason these words have been filling me up and leaving me with nostalgia.

~

Irish Blessing~

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of his hand.

May green be the grass you walk on,

May blue be the skies above you,

May pure be the joys that surround you,

May true be the hearts that love you

May God be with you and bless you;

May you see your children's children.

May you be poor in misfortune, Rich in blessings,

May you know nothing but happiness

And may the hand of a friend always be near.

From this day forward.

(this photo makes me laugh so hard, I am in high school, Muzzie apparently loves stone-washed denim- I will have to post a picture of her with her updated wears- she has fabulous style)

Last night Muzzie was talking about this lady she once knew who liked to have a man in her life to take her to the theater or for dinner. After her husband died she would continue to have boy~friends who would take her around the town.

So Muzzie says~

"She lived in this lovely retirement home and met a man who was nearly a hundred years old. She met him by the trash cans and he asked her if she had ever been on a cruise. She said she had not, but sure, she would love to go."


Me~

"That's so funny...meeting by the trash cans."

Muzzie~

"Well it was nice because she had never been abroad. (pause, lowers voice) But, really she had been a broad her whole life. No, but really she was a lovely lady."

Me~ "ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha...."

Muzzie is 86 fabulous years with perfect delivery of stories, jokes, wit, charm, grace and creativity. She always makes me feel loved and reminds me of all my talents. Each time I leave her presence I am inspired to become more of myself.