That life is beautiful. People are exceptional. And this universe fully supports it all.

I sit here.
I sit here on the edge of my bed.
Curled up in the corner.
With my arm resting,
just on the ledge.
Making up that of my window seal.

This is the moment.

I have a cup of hot water steaming on the edge.
The morning breeze rolling over my arm,  
creating a slight chill.
The passing cars
are moving about.
Adventuring on their morning hustle.
Continuing to speed by.
Not giving notice
to that standing.  
Or
for this matter,
sitting still.

I am 23 days into my writing challenge.
Encompassing that of
“I love you self……”
And
less than a week away
from arriving back in my new home of
Cape Town, South Africa.

One day at a time.
One day at a time.

What is this thing we call time?

What does it do for us?
For the body?
For the soul?
For the moments making up my reality?
Your reality?
Our realities?

Does time work with us?  
Or against us?

What does living in another country for six months look like?
What does this amount of time equate to?

That is a question,  
I reflect on
each morning,
and each night.

Right now,
it equates to this.

To discovery.
To development.
To deeper understanding.  
To growth.
To triumphs.  
To failures.  
To heartache.  
To confusion.  
To ultimate defeat.  
And eventually to overcoming.  

It’s a mixture of
complete strength
and vulnerability.
Coated with
confusion and humbleness.  

It’s the realization that anything is possible.  
That any vision can be a reality.  
That dreams
are not
just dreams,  
or mere thoughts,
yet,
capsules into future realities.

That the life for me,
is not the life for you.  
And the life for you,
doesn’t align with that for me.

That teaching is one of the most exhausting
yet rewarding professions.   
Where students
look at you,  
look up to you,
look for you,
look to you.
Both in
and outside
the classroom
for answers
lots of answers.  

That friendships.
Life long friendships
and day old friendships
are moments of self exploration.  
Expression.
Reciprocation.  
Communication.  
Ultimate sharing.
And knowing.  

That a laugh shared with a stranger
can have a far greater impact
than shared
with one that used to know
your most intimate secrets.

It’s the realization,  
that,
you are
in complete control.
You have,
complete control,
of your life,
your moment’s realities,
and these can look
anyway you choose.

That one morning
may take the shape
of early morning runs,  
yoga,
followed by French toast
smothered in syrup
topped with bananas and strawberries.  
And a massive cup of coffee,
including none better but
comfort creamer from the local American supermarket.

That we grow.  
That we change.  
That we adapt.  
And that we move quickly.  

That what worked for you last week,
last month,
or even yesterday
will not work for you today.

That your surroundings
are external reflections
of the internal.
Both
our physical
and spiritual bodies
carrying our souls  
And
taking us to those places
we call home.

That words
have a major impact.
But,
actions trump
those words.  

That it’s okay to be scared.  
Confused.  
Lost.
And alone.

Because
soon,
these emotions,
those emotions,
will become that of complete clarity,
confidence,  
trust,
motivation,
and self inspiration.

That we live
in a world
of abundance and technology.  
Where a phone call
and skype conversation
can exist at anytime,  
anywhere,  
in the world.  

That some of the people who you think care the most
are those that care the least.
And on the greater end,  
some of those whom you thought would say good-bye,  
leave it at that,
have become your biggest supporters,
and
inspirations.

That love.
Oh what falling in love can do.
That the amount of love
I get to experience
each
and everyday
with my partner half way across the world,
is overwhelming.  

That the reality
of
being loved unconditionally,  
being loved fully,  
and exceptionally,   
just as me,
for me,  
by me,
it gives,
it gives me strength.
It gives me so much strength.  
So much inspiration.  
So much determination.  
To be,
not just me,
but the best possible me.

The best possible me that I can truly be.  

That the connection
between a mother and daughter
turns into that of complete best friends,
ultimate support,  
acceptance,
and immense connection.  

That the words I love you,  
I miss you,  
I need a hug,  
I want to hold your hand,  
have all developed new meanings.  

That this whole idea of body image,  
physical representation,  
is an outward illumination  
from that shining inward.  

That
yoga,  
mindfulness,  
and meditation on the mat,
within the every day norm,  
can take on different shades of the rainbow.  
Reflecting that of the chakras,
needing the most love and attention.  
But the real challenge,
oh the real challenge,  
and test comes,
when
and where
the moments,  
the challenging moments,
occur off the mat.

And yes,
sometimes,
you’re surprised at what you’re capable of.
And other times,
you’re absolutely embarrassed,
and confused that your actions,  
those actions,  
these actions,
are coming from you,  
coming right from you.

That a smile
is
the universal language.  

That not being able to fully express
and explain yourself
in another country forces you to actually
question
the importance
and need for those words.

That what would have never been a thought
or reality in one country
is or are
the complete thoughts
and realities in another.

That your biggest support system,
inspirer,  
and motivator,  
is
ultimately yourself.

That you
have the power of changing
your days emotions
from any which perception available.  

That your actions are impacting
more people
than may be realized
and that although moments will get rough,  
they too change
and pass.  
Because as the famous words go,  
you never step into the same river twice.  

Because,
life,
life is
always moving,  
always flowing.

That one person’s reality of you,
doesn’t define you.  
And,
therefore,
one action doesn’t turn you into that action.  

That each day,
is a new day
and you are a new you.
That you are you.  
A beautiful you.  
A divine you.  

That the beach is my home.  
That the sun raises my sprits.  
That teaching is beyond empowering.
That being in love is absolutely blissful.
That being supported is encouraging.  
That standing in your truth is courageous.
That trusting yourself creates endless possibilities.  
That strangers are willing to help,
to lend a hand,  
to support.

That students become your friends.
And that engaging in new experiences
leads you to better
discovery and understanding of this you,
this you,
that simply,
fully,
exists.

That life is beautiful.  
People are exceptional.
And this universe
fully supports it all. 

As Always, 
thank you for sharing my journey with me! 
I am truly so blessed everyday to have all you in my life! 

Above are images from my going-away party 
in San Jose, Costa Rica!