Travel often offers an abundance of life lessons as long as we’re open to listen.  There are so many rich opportunities to grow and heal as we step away from our ordinary lives and truly take the time to relax.  Sarah (my youngest daughter) and I were fortunate to have been invited to Rosemary Beach in Florida for a week.  We both jumped on the opportunity as we’ve never been here before and knew it would be a fun week!  We are here with good friends and their extended family and it has been so much fun to listen to them talk and tell hysterical stories from childhood! 

Rosemary Beach is a charming beach with amazing restaurants, shops and beautiful homes.  The ocean water is so clear and blue and the white sandy beaches are so much different than the ones at Bald Head Island. 

The home we are staying in is absolutely lovely, with vaulted ceilings, a small but amazing gourmet kitchen, maid service (also different than Bald Head because I’m the maid there), and a small pool.  It is a short walk to the beach where the umbrellas and chairs are waiting for us every day!  This is the first time that I have truly relaxed in longer than I can remember!  Yesterday, I barely looked at my phone with the exception of putting a few things on Instagram and checking for any important emails.  It was heaven and I realized how important it is to unplug every now and then.  

I’m making a list of all of the moments that have cultivated comfort for me while I’ve been here and it’s becoming quite a long list.  I’ve talked so much about self care and I have been taking care of myself the best I knew how, but I’ve been so stuck in my craziness with everything going on in my life that i now realize; I haven’t been doing a very good job at all.  Yoga and meditation are important, but it’s hard, at times, to heal in the same environment where the problems began.  Everywhere you look, there are memories that take you back to the pain and hurt. 

I have had the opportunity to be with my daughter and good friends here, but have also felt completely free to be alone when and if needed.

  We live and we learn about ourselves every day if we allow ourselves the time and space to explore. 

I am very fortunate to be able to take this time to travel and reflect.  Our repetitive thought patterns can completely take us out so many times and we aren’t even aware of it.  I’ve been so unbelievably stressed and have known it on some level, but didn’t realize it until I was able to step back  You don’t realize how dysfunctional your life is until you are able to truly get away.  Stress is an unbelievably powerful and unhealthy thing. 

I am beyond grateful for this time.

On of my intentions upon returning home is to welcome some of the same ideas and moments into my every day life that I have found to be so wonderful about being here.  My prayer over the past months was and will always be to live a life of peace and clarity.  I ask for clarity about the state of my life and marriage and, more recently in dealing with the grief of losing my dad.

As much as I’ve enjoyed this time away, I know that I have to step back into my life with as much grace as possible and move forward.  My main objective is to try to stay in a calm and peaceful state of mind as the Universe guides me toward where I am meant to be.

Crazy Blonde Life is so important to me!  I love blogging, but I’m going to give myself a break for the remainder of the week.  I will be working when I have moments to work and will definitely be sharing my trip with you soon!  I’ll be back to a normal schedule next week, feeling renewed and refreshed!

I’m including a few fun links below!   I’ve been inspired by all things beachy since I’ve been here!  Thank you so much for reading!