renewed and in tune.

Hello Monday.
So nice of you to join me.
Probably the most exciting Monday Ive had in a long time thanks to a little vacation this past weekend. Not only did I have an amazing time, but I was receptive to new advice and had quite a few self and life realizations. It was exactly what I needed.
I have the most amazing friends in the entire world. Hands down.
Being back in Tuscaloosa was so much better than I could've ever imagined. And not because I miss that city. Lord knows I dont. But o the people. The people that I love more than life itself. The people who accept and love me regardless of what I do. The people who enable me the freedom to take new paths and try new things.
Needless to say, I have come back to the Shores feeling like my old, familiar self. I realized that I need not change for anyone or anything. Because I am spectacular just the way that I am. And true friends are gonna accept me and appreciate me. Trasitioning to living in a new area was a little harder than I imagined. And I never imagined that I'd have such a mental discontent with it, but I definitely did.
The time reminds me of the tale of the pearl that I once constantly looked to for inspiration.  The story was in my "Overcoming the person you used to be". A Hindu teachings book I purchased while at Martha's Vineyard. The story explains that life is much is very much like the story of the pearl. The pearl begins as dirt. And with irritation, it becomes something beautiful. Much like life. Bad things happen; life gets irritated. But before you know it, all that irritation, hurt, and anger turns into something beautiful. There is something to be learned from everything and there is always a silver lining in every situation.
So I am so very grateful for my weekend. It gave me life back. Set me back on my tracks. Enabled me to realize that Ive been missing my mark all along because Ive been too busy trying to fit in rather than live MY life.
It feels great to be back.

Love each of you with all my little black heart : )

J.Elaine