August Blog

The Journey of Life

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The journey of life is where my true growth and learning happens. I don't need to go on a physical journey, vacation or trip to witness this growth. What it does encompass is how I view my life. Right now I find myself in a desert kind of place in my life's journey. Much to my amazement, I find that it is when I am in a desert type setting (which is where I think most people are in our current climate) I grow the most. It is in the silent whispers of nature, the rainbow that suddenly appears across the sky that I have found I've learned the most.  When I take the time to reflect on the beauty in nature, I feel a sense of peace and tranquility. But, this doesn't happen all of the time. There are times when things get the better of me and it's hard to see things clearly. I was told by a very wise and wonderful man that when the road on my life's journey seems rocky I am encouraged to quiet myself down, bring myself gently and lovingly back to this place of peace and comfort...a place of hope and gratitude. This destination is of the utmost importance to me. It has helped me tremendously over these past six months. However, stopping to see these signs and practicing this type of thinking can be a challenging and daunting job one of which I sometimes find slightly difficult to do.

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Then there is the road to this destination which sometimes takes me on a course that is not the easiest or fastest route on my journey through life. Yet, it has brought me to where I am today.  Many things have happened in my life that I've often felt were not the way I had wished would have taken place. But, in retrospect, I can see now why they had to happen to bring me to the place I am today. Going back to school after I left my families business was traumatic to me at the time.  However, if that had not happened, I would have never achieved the success I enjoy today. Through my academic years I gained the confidence to be able to stand firm in my beliefs and become independent in my thinking. I have become a successful professional fine artist and mom to a famous canine artist.  Going back to school as an adult my professors became my peers and we very often had some pretty interesting conversations over lunch and coffee about the subjects they taught. I loved every course I took and reveled in learning about so many things.  I excelled so much so that I was awarded the Golden Key Award for Academic Excellence.  An honor I will always take pride in receiving. 

As I reflect on my life, I realize that sometimes I missed what was valuable by focusing only on goals. Don't get me wrong, on the contrary, I needed those goals to obtain the success I have achieved thus far in my life. And in reality during this COVID-19 Pandemic, I see things a bit differently  now.  I still have goals that I'd like to achieve. However, I've come to realize that my life's journey is more than a set of goals I've placed before me. Being in quarantine since January (due to my adrenal surgery and the pandemic), my life has slowed down quite a bit.  I've had more time to reflect on the beauty that surrounds me, the people and fur babies that are all part of my life's journey. I've come to appreciate them more. And even though it's been a really challenging time for all of us, it's important that we all try very hard to concentrate on being grateful for all of the blessings bestowed on us each and everyday. I want you to know that YOU are all part of the blessings and gratitude I feel.  I am truly thankful for all of you being a part of my life's journey.

Talking to my oncologist the other day, he assured me that in the near future we will have a vaccine for this terrible virus. I know that almost everyone all over the world is praying for that. When it does happen and we are able to receive the vaccine and enter into our "new" normal, I hope to look back at this time in our history as a time of deep reflection of the blessings in my life. The people and pets I hold dear to my heart. And how much more they mean to me than any material possession I thought was of the utmost importance to me Pre-COVID_19. 

In closing, I would like to leave you this month with a little humble advice...
​Take the time to learn, create and inspire in this desert time in your lives. May the silent whispers of nature speak to you and give you the strength and courage to continue your work here on earth as you give thanks for the blessings along your journey of life each and everyday. And if you get to a place that your road's journey becomes rocky, gently and lovingly bring yourself back to that place of peace and tranquility.
​God bless!!
Happy Tales to You,
xoxo Yvonne