A moment to pause and reflect on where I am now and the journey over the last couple weeks, or I guess not even a week. LOL…

A cancelled client, the gift of a life time, only one week ago… How could I have ever known how much such simple shift in perception would change the entire way I would look at the rest of my trip? Houston, New Orleans, Pensacola, Tallahassee, now Cocoa Beach sitting on the balcony of my Ocean Side Hotel room, I am caught in a state of ponder and amazement.

In that moment I had a choice: I could get upset or I could look at the opportunity that was presented as a result. So many times we get caught up in the: what isn’t, and what should be, or could be, that we miss the gift that is… the gift known as life in the moment. In awakening to what the possibility of that moment really was, I seized the opportunity to give a little something back to me a walk by the lake and a trip to the store. By 10pm, and 5 more 90 min sessions later, I was SOOOOOO appreciative of what had transpired. It was the moment in my trip, I realized that this trip is not only about working, it is also about experiencing the life and splendor around me.

Houston, met up with a new friend from Facebook, went to dinner, then out on the town. I can’t say that Houston is ever a place I would like to move, definitely not the energy I try to surround myself with. But, it still had its own charm. A few amazing clients each day I was there, I closed my books before I even arrived, to allow myself the opportunity to breath and experience as much or as little of the city as I wanted. I now had a choice, and was no longer a slave to work or to my ego.

On to New Orleans, a city I’d never been… well, except once. Wow, almost 20 years ago, I flew into New Orleans, on my way to Baton Rouge for the Junior Olympic Nationals. But you know, I never got to even enjoy the city. Even at 16, I had a full time job I had to get back to. I only took off enough time to fly into the city, compete and return. I honestly don’t even remember much of the city, except that the humidity was so high on the track that my number would not stay attached to my uniform… lol It was 104 on the track and 98% humidity. I thought I was going to die. But, this trip was going to be different. I was going to take time, and say yes to me… even if it meant not making as much money as I may have hoped. And that’s just what I did. I took the entire afternoon off on Monday (Memorial Day) and went down to the French Quarter. I grabbed a drink, only because I had to experience walking the streets with a drink in my hand… lol. But you know what I realized? I realized that I can stand fully in my light, in a place that is not who or what I am, and enjoy the vibration of self. I walked around for a couple hours, and with a deep breath, knew I had received what I came for.

On my way back to the hotel, I realized I was no longer going to Montgomery or Tallahassee for work: I was supposed to take the next couple days to just drive and let myself experience where spirit guides, and the beauty of my journey.

Driving though some beautiful country, Alabama and Mississippi, I arrived in FL. It had been suggested, by another Facebook friend I finally had the opportunity to meet while in New Orleans, that Pensacola was beautiful. So, I stopped. A swim in the beautiful green waters, sitting on the white sands, then cross the street to have lunch overlooking the water; I quickly knew I was not going to be stopping there for the night.

I had stopped, when I first arrived in FL, at the visitor center and picked up a sites and parks of the state booklet, and decided that Flowing Waters State Park seemed like a cool place to go… so I went. Walking through the park, I realized it would be a great place to film another scene for the movie “RED KROKODIL”, so I pulled out my tripod, and camera… got naked and started filming. Luckily I was the only person in the park so there wasn’t really a fear of getting arrested for indecent exposure. LOL, I guess there are certain risks one is willing to take to accomplish their goals.

I then got dressed and began walking around some more. I came up to the swimming lake, took some pictures and jumped in. The fish and turtles were swimming about. It has been years since I swam in an actual lake. I guess since I left Troy MT (my child hood home) when I was 13… wow 22 years ago!

When I got back in my truck I wasn’t sure where I was going to end up, so I just started driving. It was getting dark and I realized that Tallahassee was only an hour or so up the road, so I ended up remaking the exact reservation I had just cancelled. See, its funny how the Universe works. When I called to cancel my 2 reservations, for up and coming stays, I found out that Montgomery was never booked to begin with, and according to my itinerary: Tallahassee was my next stop. If I had realized it, my trip probably would have been completely different and I would have missed the journey. See, for some reason, when there is a predetermined destination, the journey becomes about reaching the destination, and not experiencing all that is, in the moment.

The next morning, I got up and started out. I thought I was going to be heading down along the West Coast of FL, but found myself heading further East. I decided every time I came upon a Hwy, or major intersection I would ask myself how I felt and allow my internal instincts guide me.

Quickly, I was no longer on major Hwy’s, but smaller country roads. It was beautiful, and without a destination in mind, I was in no Hurry. I finally look down at my odometer and saw I was officially 4000 miles into my trip while driving through Gainesville FL. I stopped at a fruit stand and picked up a few things, and got to talking to a couple of the local ladies: BOTH VERY DIFFERENT!

Both Ladies were in about their late 60’s, and one couldn’t stop, while the other couldn’t find it in herself to get started. We started talking about just going for walks (as I was standing there barefoot, just feeling the energy coming up through my body). The one that couldn’t stop, said she goes for walks all the time, but is an avid speed walker. Although in pretty decent shape, she didn’t realize she was missing the beauty of taking your time to experience the journey. The other, with normal aging issues, couldn’t walk or be active like she used to, so wouldn’t even get started.

I began to talk about stopping to smell the roses, and the significance of it. See; “stop and smell the roses” is soooo much more than just a cliché. The simple action of stopping allows one to connect to the earth and come fully into their body. When we stop to smell the rose itself, we are already out of our mind and lost in the experience of life. At this moment, and it seems most close their eyes to do it, we bend down and take in a deep breath to feel the full embodiment of the fragrance. This fragrance, and it’s no wonder, is the aroma directly connected to the opening and balancing of the Heart Chakra. After doing such a little thing as “stopping to smell the roses,” is a subconscious longing to get out of the head, and move into the heart, where we have the opportunity to open our eyes and see the world from the place of Source!

I got back in my truck and quickly found myself in Daytona Beach… hmmmm, again: not a place I felt I was supposed to stop! So, I just kept driving down the coast. An hour or 2 later, I saw a sign for Cocoa Beach, and if felt right, so I turned. As I drove I began questioning if I made the right decision, but I kept driving… Finally, not even sure what road or why, I made a Left.  I thought I would just turn around and head back, when there I was in the middle of a group of hotels. Water on all sides, a wonderful pier and lots of restaurants: PERFECT, and I got a room.

Not just any room, a Waterfront Suite. I wanted to be able to see the Sunrise from my room in the morning. I have never allowed myself to pay what I paid for this room. When I did, something inside me kept making me giggle, to the point that the front desk person started to giggle as well. I know she will never understand why what just happened did, or what it really was: but I did.

These Last couple years have been about me letting go of a life of lack and learning to live in the abundance for which I am. Sabotaging jobs my whole life, I am beginning to truly allow myself to experience the life I am worth… not deserve, but WORTH.

Later this morning I will be back on the road, on my way to Fort Lauderdale. I can hardly wait for what is there… but no, yes I can. I will remember (at least for today) to keep breathing, and take my time to stay in the experience of the moment. What will come, will come, whether I deny myself what is now, or allow myself the gift of LIFE and take the time to enjoy the Journey….

Have a Great Day (or not) You Choose!!!