One year ago today….how time flies!

Last year on this very day I made a choice to let go. Let go of the past, and embrace the present. Stop fearing the future and live in the now. I was sitting on the beach, 7am watching the sun rise. It was quiet, the water was still an the sun was shining! In that moment I realized this is what life is about. Not about money, status, getting things done or finding your way. Life is about moments and relationships.

The moments if you stop to embrace them will enhance or change your life. I met some awesome people last year the day after this day. It was the universes way of telling me, yes you can slow down and still be productive, yes you can take time for YOU and not feel guilty. I learned that night about “stillness” which is what I experienced that morning on the beach.

I also learned that relationships need communication. Without it there are just two souls feeling different things,. You will drift apart without communication. Little things or expression of emotion can go a long way. I have lost friendships over this, especially over the past year.

The most important thing I learned is our greatest fears can be our greatest gift.

Over the past year I left the comfort of my career and started a new one, I took a leap and started Lavandula and here we are one year strong. This allowed me to see my worth, what I could do, and what I couldn't. I met amazing people over the past year that I would not have had I not jumped out of my comfort zone.

I got married, bought a home and changed my inner circle. I know now surrounding yourself with people who are like minded, people who bring you up, is very important. Relationships that tear you down, there is no time for that. One way streets are no longer for me. I will care but only as much as I can without it hurting myself. Toxicity is not a good thing in any relationship. The givers generally start to turn resentful and push back. If you are a giver this will hurt your credibility as so and if you are the taker you will inevitably feel confused, sad or lost as to why, because a) it’s never been a problem before or b) they have no idea what they have done wrong because they haven’t done anything wrong per say. You did.

The moral of the story is last year I didn’t think I would be where I am today. I didn’t think I could do it alone and looking back, I didn’t. Great relationships will enhance your outlook on life, support you at your worst and show you love at your best! Facing your fears and going for that one thing you keep thinking about will open doors you didn’t know were there. It’s scary as hell, but worth every second, even the defeating ones. Take time. Life moves fast. We lose sight of what matters due to the demands society places upon us, why add to that by putting more on yourself.

Stop, be still, live freely and speak what you feel.

Here’s to the end of not only a fabulous birthday but an amazing 26th year of life! I can only imagine what 27 will bring!

Thank you to all those special people who believed in me, supported me, listened to me good and bad and never let me fall along the way!

XoXo

Stephanie Oliver (Muir)