It’s early, the fog is just starting to dissipate and the sun is breaking through. You can see the ocean, the sand and the waves crashing down. That sound. That smell – its one of the best in the world!
This is the scene that plays over and over in my head. It brings peace and calmness to me at even the most stressful times. It is the story of my journey! Let me start with a little background though.
As the youngest of three in a very busy family, I was used to “going with the flow” at a young age. Everyone asked my opinions but I never felt like they mattered much. I mean I was #5, by then a decision had been reached! But I was HAPPY making everyone else happy. I loved doing what my sister wanted to do or playing the games my brother wanted to play. Seeing the smile on someone else’s face – man, that could make my day! I was happy! … then I grew up.
That same happiness wasn’t quite the same anymore. I was in control now. I’m still part of that same family of 5 but now we are 14. I couldn’t keep basing my happiness on everyone else. I was in a position to make my own happiness and I struggled to figure it out. I spent years changing my plans or taking life in a different direction because I thought it was what someone else wanted. I lived my life trying to make everyone else happy but that everyone else was no longer 4 people, it was every friend, classmate, teacher AND family member. I was gradually losing myself.
Now I don’t want anyone thinking I’m not happy or that I wasn’t happy. I have the best family and amazing friends. I am grateful and thankful on a daily basis for the life I have been given. I have done amazing things but those amazing things have not always been for me. About a year ago, after having my second daughter, I realized I needed to finally do something for ME! I couldn’t worry about what everyone else thought of me or of the decisions I was making. I needed to step up, think outside the box, go against the grain and BE ME! It was in that moment that my life changed. I still struggle with being me and not worrying about what other people think. I am still a work in progress but through all of this I have realized that I have ONE LIFE. ONE CHANCE at being me and its not about the calm of the ocean, its about MAKING WAVES.
Now that you know where “One Life. One Chance. Make Waves” comes from, I hope you stick around as I continue on this journey. I’ll be posting more about my WHY and HOW but for now, let’s help each other to stop worrying about what other people think and what other people want from us. Let’s go out and build our own futures!
