A year ago today, I made a life changing decision. It took all of me to step into the unknown, with the unconditional support and love from family and friends.
Perhaps, a journey that I metaphorically saw as monumental, as my personal belief was diminished to something smaller than I had ever imagined in the last 20 years. This was my mountain to conquer.
6 months after, I took the journey to do another. I traveled on nothing but faith and determination to learn that my internal strength was solid.
I took a path up a mountain and I saw things I had never dreamed of. I did things I lost faith in, all while doing this alone. Finding that, no matter the voices that use to be inside my thoughts, creating doubt now screamed louder telling me; you can do this!
I got to the top of my hike, sat in solitude and cried while I took the deepest breath I've had in my entire life.
Last weekend, almost 1 year from my life changing decision, 6 months from my journey to prove my personal worth, I choose to share it with someone who values me for who I am.
Today, it's been 3 months of rediscovery of faith, love and trust in another. Sure I wear rose coloured glasses, I will always have faith in human kind, to do better, become wiser and love deeper. I won't live with regrets. We should not accept anything less than to be treated like a person, no matter our gender, colour race. I see beauty in flaws, I see strength in the meek, I see love in the lost.
This man has volunteered has with me, sang with me, laughed with me, cried with me and shared life with me. More than I ever expected, more than I anticipated. I've learnt to give without expectations, live life without wants and to see value in the smallest of things. Today, is the first day of the rest of my life.
I don't know what else to say. Every day, I am asked; "How do you find happiness?" and I can't explain what I've been given.
I suppose I've read that those who go through tough moments in life, learn to love the smallest of gestures. I don't know how to compare my past journeys to another but I do know the ones I've travelled on have given me the strength to see a brighter side in life.
I've not experienced a war but I've experienced emotional bombs and explosions. I've not experienced the life of a prisoner but I have been locked away with my fears and doubts. I've not experienced famine but I've experienced a life without love. I've not experienced homeless but I've felt alone.
We all go through the toughest of times, of fear and anger. One of resentment and hostility. Those emotions, I never want to feel again.
I've also seen the brighter side of life. I've seen a smile creep across one that has nothing when we've made eye contact. I've hugged a soul that desperately needed to feel loved. I've given my time to another when they felt nothing was left.
What I've asked for in return? Nothing. What have I spent? Not a dime. What's made me happy? Knowing that a small gesture has given someone a wee bit of hope after a long, tough go at it. Even if, just for a moment. So what have I invested to make my life better? Simply put, I've invested the most valuable commodity I hold dearest to me. My time. I've only received the most valuable thing in return. Love, appreciation and acceptance. What have I needed all my life? Exactly those 3 things. What makes me happiest? Knowing that, without costing me a dime, I give. Completely and without regret.
I cannot tell you how to find your happiness, you have to find it.
I've let things go in life, that I refuse to give the most valuable possession to. My time. I'll give it to another who, without expecting gives back by a simple glance.
Each day, we wake with a blank page to write on.
Before you plant your base on the ground, open those eyes and take a moment to take it in. Inhale your first breath of the day and make a choice to paint the blank page with what you want it to become.
The most important journey we will take is the one for ourselves. Know that, all of us are going through a similar journey, a journey to find our truth, who we are and what makes us happy.
Plant your feet firmly on the ground and make the choice to live with each moment you make. From the first words muttered out through your lips, to the ears of the person who hears them.
Start to say no, but yes for what you stand for. Be true to yourself, not the one who tries to paint you for who they think you should be. Stand your ground and celebrate what life means to you. To create, to feel valued, to love and to change. Celebrate your authentic self because every night, you go to sleep with who you truly are.
Go ahead, paint that blank page the colors you want.
A year ago today, I made a life changing decision. It took all of me to step into the unknown, with the unconditional support and love from family and friends. 
6 months after, I took the journey to do another. I traveled on nothing but faith and determination to learn that my internal strength was solid. 
I took a path up a mountain and I saw things I had never dreamed of. I did things I lost faith in, all while doing this alone. Finding that, no matter the voices that use to be inside my thoughts, creating doubt now screamed louder telling me; you can do this! 
This man has volunteered has with me, sang with me, laughed with me, cried with me and shared life with me. More than I ever expected, more than I anticipated. I've learnt to give without expectations, live life without wants and to see value in the smallest of things. Today, is the first day of the rest of my life.
