Moment of Gratitude in the Mountains

I woke up this morning to the most magical view of Lake Louise. The sun peaked shyly over the top of the mountains, lighting up the snow that dusted the fir trees overnight, and bringing life to the freshly flooded skating rink on the frozen lake. Life was still… apart from the softly falling snowflakes. Finally, the chance I needed to stop and reflect on all the incredible moments I’ve had to fall in love with this past week.

It never fails right before a week of vacation, life becomes a little hectic. Then again, there always seems to be an excuse why life gets a little out of control. More important, are the moments to stop and think about the amazing moments that happened in the chaos. 

This past week I had a lot to celebrate, from the release of my first book, Here I Am NOW, to the amazing people in my life, another year of accomplishments and finally my birthday. I decided to  host an informal little get together. On a school night, last minute, 30 of the best people I know went out of their way to celebrate with me. For a brief moment during the evening, I stepped outside my own body, sat back and smiled realizing there was no amount of planning or anything different that could have been done to have made the evening better. A room full of strangers quickly became friends, and for the days to come I would hear of the incredible connections made, and all I can do is smile. This is what makes life rich. 

Late in the evening, someone pulled the plug on the music. Before I realized what was happening the room began to sing Happy Birthday, and a group of 8 of my friends (all from different areas of my life) approached me with a birthday cupcake in hand. They parted ways as one of my friends presented a wrapped gift. My heart began to race, I knew what was under the wrapping and the tears rushed to my eyes. 

I pulled the paper back to find the most beautiful gift - a professionally framed copy of the silhouette image captured for my book cover. I was speechless, this gift meant more to me than I could ever explain in words. A keepsake of a journey that had broken me open to love and to life. In one photograph, the talented Marcia Leeder had captured a journey. I have studied the photograph for hours on end, there isn’t a single thing that could make the image more perfect. The picture - camel pose - is a position of strength and vulnerability. The pose leaves one completely exposed at the throat, the heart, and the stomach. The three kill spots we walk around subconsciously protecting. The image, although strong in it’s black and whiteness, is softened by the second she captured a soft glow from the flash across the face, throat, ad heart.

As I stood in my condo surrounded by friends, old and new. I realized, my journey had brought me here. From someone who was so committed and determined to protecting herself from any form of hurt or pain. I was once a one woman island, capable of enduring anything in life. Today, I am surrounded by an army of angels who have allowed me to redirect that energy to remaining open and true to the real person behind the walls, and recognizing, that the rich life I know today is a product of the strength it would take to reopen my heart, mind and life, to take the risk, and to embrace all the gifts that would come out of the pain. Especially the beautiful people who help me love myself even more every single day.

These people fuel the fire in my soul that makes my life rich and complete. I need for nothing, and as a result can simply remain open and enjoy the incredible things that continue to flood my life.