I have learned...

I asked myself today, what have I learned from this place? I realized that this is an amazing way to not only know when you are or aren’t ready to move on, but a way to “count your blessings” so to speak, to find out what you are truly grateful for, to list the positive occurrences of late, and to thank the universe for the lessons it has taught you, taught me, taught us.

So what have I learned? Constant life lessons have continued, like patience, kindness, love, and trust... The ongoing lessons we all try to perfect throughout our lives, but can never quite get there, after all, we are human.

 I have learned that things are never as they originally seem, first impressions cannot be used for judgement, no matter how bad. This place is not what it seemed, although the stereotype still grasps me once in a while and makes me a believer, temporarily.

I have learned that there are friends, true friends, anywhere you are willing to look, but it takes patience for these friendships to show themselves, and then BOOM there they are, all around. I’ve learned that things aren’t always as they seem. There will always be “backstabbers”, “gossipers” and “frienemies” around, in places you can’t get away from, but the choice is clear, do what you need to do, and get away from this type of people as soon as you’re done.

I’ve learned that, with all the interests in the world in common, two people can still argue over what they do and don’t want to do, the intensity, the length, and any other detail of the activity.  Through this, the lesson I have learned is that arguing leads to discussions, which lead to understanding, which leads to compromise. So this is why it is considered “healthy” to argue.... I get it. As a young woman I used to wonder why people gave me a look when I said “We don’t fight.” Now I know, it is unhealthy, and can... will lead to a big blowout nasty fight.

I’ve learned that sometimes people are your friends, for a while, while they need you. Some may say while they use you. I agree in some ways and in some instances, not in others. People come in and out of your life for a reason, what that reason is could be unknown. I feel fortunate to have spent the time I did with those people, I learned from them, and I think they learned from me. There were hardships this past summer, there were ups and downs, there was yelling and silence, but above all else, there was love. Many different kinds of love, some I didn’t even know existed. I felt and feel love for a man that provides for me physically, mentally and spiritually. I felt love and compassion for an old dog giving birth in my living room, and a motherly love for her helpless puppies while I helped her nurse and care for them. I felt a longing love for best friends, family, and everything in between that we left to embark on this journey. I felt a sister-like love for a young woman trying to find herself in this giant world. I felt love and generosity for friends travelling through, for a day, a week, a month, and sometimes more, and I felt love, sympathy and empathy for someone going through a hard time and needing someone to lean on. I have been told many times that I have “too much love to give” who decides what is too much, I simply have enough for any one that wants it, as long as they don’t take advantage. Another lesson I’m sorry to say I have learned.

So why am I thinking this now, reflecting at this moment? Is it because it is coming up on a year since we came here? Or is it something different? Maybe my self conscious is showing me that it’s time for the next part of my journey, that it’s time to reflect on the next steps, on the next place. Or maybe I just need to sit back and reflect, for the sake of reflecting, and be thankful that I have the ability to see the positive outcome of these life experiences.

Beginning of a new journey

This has sat in my drafts folder since September, I think its about time it makes it on here.


When something life changing happens, like a bad break-up, the way it is handled is what determines if it is a positive or a negative. We are in charge of our own destiny. We can dwell on it forever, or we can turn it into a positive life changing event. This is not to say that we should forget, it is healthy to remember feelings and occurrences, but there is a big difference between remembering and dwelling. 

When I was going through this, these positive and negative feelings, thoughts of how much my life changed in an instant and how to deal with it, the thought of travelling, of immersing myself in another culture always took away the sadness and the insecurities. Who knows where these feelings and thoughts came from. I know that the introduction to these thoughts came from a close friend who lives this type of lifestyle. All I knew at the time was that these thoughts made me happy, and at that time in my life, I held onto any ounce of happiness so tight. When Christmas was fast approaching, and I began feeling sad again, I spontaneously booked a flight to see a good friend across the country. This was the best decision I could have made at the time (although I may have made some bad decisions while I was there). It confirmed all of these thoughts of travel that I had. It confirmed that travelling is a permanent desire, not just a fleeting thought. I realized why I had these thoughts, that it may be what I am meant to do for this portion of my life, young enough to be open minded, old enough to be responsible. Age is just a number, you’re only as old as you feel, and I feel just old enough. Since this small, spontaneous trip across this amazing country, I have seen many other places in North America, many different cultures if you will, (you’d be surprised at the culture shock a Canadian girl feels in Slade, Kentucky) Each time I travel I feel the need for more, like it’s the most satisfying addiction.