Sensory Overload

Over the past couple of months that I've been preparing for my backpacking adventure, I've noticed all my senses have been heightened. The same walk to work over the past four+ years has suddenly become more alarming, sensory wise. 

I'm noticing every sound, site and smell around me. All of the sudden the same sounds I was use became overbearing. It's actually been a beautiful experience, but also very jolting. I've almost found myself ducking and dodging all the chaos around me. Cars whizzing past slamming on their horns, loud truck and bus exhaust, police sirens....were suddenly more abrasive. 

It's amazing that I've become so in tune with myself and things around me.  Really, how beautiful is that?!  How could I have all of the sudden noticed so many different things on the same path I've taken for almost five years?  I am opening up.  I have cracked my soul open to the universe.  I have requested it's guidance and assistance to help me on this journey - and I think it's doing its job. I am receiving new feelings to help place me in the direction I need to be going.

Fast forward to today - I'm in NYC for work.  Talk about sensory overload. 

As if what I was experiencing in my day to day walks at home wasn't alarming enough, I can barely keep my head on straight here.  SO many people walking in EVERY direction bumping into you, smells, sights, sounds, construction.... UGH.  I've been to NYC before - but as my senses are much more sensitive these days - I'm really able to conclude how ready I am for this next chapter of my life.  It really solidifies my thoughts and feelings on the direction I want to go, and the surroundings my soul is craving - which is more like the below.  I took this picture when I was in Thailand in 2011.  :) 

 

It's amazing the new things you can discover when you think you aren't making progress.  Really, we are slowly evolving in the direction we need to be going.  Sometimes these realizations take time, and can abruptly be realized, but they've really been in progress for quite some time. 

Listen to yourself, to that little voice inside you.  Maybe you've been at the same job for 10 years - do you feel the same as you did when you started?  We are all evolving and it is part of our own responsibility to listen to our hearts - and take charge of our lives. 

I will not suffer anymore.  I will follow my heart, that little birdy singing inside me.  It's sure as hell risky but I will no longer sit at my desk and wonder "what will I eventually do with my life?"  I am now taking charge, risk and all, and regardless of the outcome I know it will be worth it!

Are you happy?  Don't let money or bills take over your power.  You can downsize your home, reduce your expenses.  It can be done based off where YOU place the importance.  ;)

Namaste.
 

Saying BYE to my kitty JJ : (

Sometimes there are just no words, or more so too many words..

 

 

This weekend I will be taking my baby, my cat JJ of 10 years to his new home. Since I've decided to go backpacking I needed to find a good place for him to go. Luckily my brother's amazing girlfriend's parents said they would keep him. I am so thrilled that I know he is going to loving happy people that will appreciate JJ for everything that he is.

 

 

I've actually had to leave JJ before, only once. After college I moved to Atlanta and one of my best friends let me stay with her for the first month so I could get on my feet. She already had a cat so I didn't want to bring JJ and we all be on top of each other. So I left him at my moms. When I came back to my moms 4 to 6 weeks later, I was so excited and envisioning the moment and I could embrace JJ once again. I remember going up the stairs, calling his name and waiting for his head to pop around a corner. When I finally saw him and picked him up, he actually looked right past me! I was so sad! I just thought he would stare at me in my eyes and meow or smile or something! LOL. Geez a need a boyfriend fast! 

 

Anyway, I felt so extremely guilty for leaving him for those weeks. But luckily my mom had another cat and a dog so I'm sure he was entertained! This time around however I'll be gone for a lot longer. And I don't think there are any other animals where he is going. But the good thing is, I know what happy and loving people these folks are, and I know he's going to a safe place.

 

As if I don't have enough pictures under my MEOW tab above, I'm going to add more here. This man has been in my life for 10 years and seen some VERY interesting things, and has been there to support me through all of that, even a bite or two every now and then. They say a pet might only be here for a part of your life, but to them, you are their whole life.

 

 

 

 

Writing Your Last Will and Testament

GASP!  I know!  How morbid!

Last night I was talking to my mother, updating her on my preparations for backpacking Asia.  She casually mentioned "Elizabeth, I think you should think about writing your will."  MOM!!!!!  WOW!  I couldn't believe my ears.  My stomach sank and my eyes widened.  Really I need to do this?  Time pretty much stopped for me in that moment as I looked around my room staring at all my junk, I mean my things..... You know what, she was right.  I'm 31 and have not written a will yet.  At what age do you write your last will and testament???  Regardless of all the questions I had, I knew it was something I needed to do, at some point anyway.  So today I wrote it.  Two pages worth.

Putting these preparations on paper is a very weird experience.  Your mind starts to wonder....  WHY did my Mom mention this?  Did she get a message from above that I will pass on this journey?  Was it just her being a Mom making sure I have all bases covered?  WOW this is CRAZY!!!!  And SAD!!

It really makes you stop and think about LIFE, your life and those lives around you.  In a way it hit a nerve within me to live a more positive, meaningful and fulfilling life.  Life is not about WHAT you have or how much you have of this or that.  It's about the connection you make make with others, and how you make this world a better place.

I hate money.  People fight over it all the time, especially families in times of death, marital negotiations, estates changing generations, etc.  It's terrible.  I'd rather let someone take all the money, take everything and leave me drama and stress free!!!!! 

Anyway - I know this post is somewhat morbid.  However in everything I do these days I try to always find that positive light.  There's always a light out there shining, it's just up to you to see it.  : )

 

Backpacking 1 Month From TODAY!!!!!!

WOW - 1 month from today I will be flying out for my backpacking adventures in Southeast Asia!!!!  There's still a lot to do to prepare for this trip, but I am almost ready!!! 

Although I'm ready for this next chapter, my mind is in 1,000 places.  I'm thinking of everything that I'm looking forward to, but also realizing all the people and things that I will miss.  This kind of a change is a big deal.  I will miss my nephew growing up, saying his first big words.  I'll miss the potential pregnancies of my best friends.  I'll miss the dinners and hang time with my friends and family.  However even with all that, what I will be gaining in my mind and heart with this trip is exponential.  I surely hope everyone and everything is still intact when I return, but that is a risk I have to and am willing to take. 


Things I will miss:

• Family & Friends of course!
• My kitty JJ
• My Jordans and Vans
• LKN
• Starbucks
• My CHI flat iron

Things I will NOT miss:

• Gossip on who's dating who and who they dated before
• Snapchat, Facebook
• Discussing who's done this, made that, bought this
• Who's getting married next, engaged next
• What celebrity is getting married or having a baby next
• Fakeness in the workplace, friend base or on TV
• Seeing Michael Kors everything

What I'm looking forward to:

• Wearing flip flops and sandals everyday!
• With that comes casual clothes YEAH!
• CONNECTING with people
• Teaching English to little kids, or adults
• Eating LOTS and LOTS of Asian food
• Seeing how others view the world, listening to their fears, their dreams, theirs desires
• GIVING BACK to the planet
• Helping families and communities grow
• Learning how to garden and creating a self sustaining environment

A lot of people live their lives based on fear.  They don't want to go "too far" out of fear of what they will miss.  Not even realizing what they are missing by not DOING could be far greater....  I want to show you what is possible, what you can see.  If you cannot see it with your own eyes, at least you can see it through my view.   

I hope you stay tuned for my adventures in Asia.  I'll be volunteering with elephants in Thailand - my new found favorite animal!!  I'll also be teaching English to orphans in Vietnam, taking a break chilling in Bali, and working with families in Nepal.  I plan on getting my yoga certification at some point on this journey as well.  

It's amazing the strength and power you feel when you follow your passions and your heart.  You are in absolute control and fearless.  I wish I would have done this sooner.  :)


One.  More.  Month.



Namaste.  
 

Water....

This past weekend I was lucky enough to attend a beach vacation with some friends.  OHHH the beach - one of my happy places.  Seeing such a large body of water, so powerful and beautiful just makes me feel some type of way. I can feel it's energy.  Of course, I'm a water sign! ;) 

If you have not yet visited the NC Outer Banks you are really missing out.  I grew up in NC but it took me over 28 years before I finally got a chance to see this place!  What a bummer!  What's awesome about the Outer Banks is this:

• Can you say lighthouse?
• Not only do you have the beach, but you have the sound side too.  Perfect for sunsets!
• Plenty of activity options such as paddle boarding, kayaking and wind surfing.
• Nature Nature NATURE.  Due to the location and condition of these barrier islands there are tons of uninhabitable nature sections allowing you to truly see the natural beauty of this area.
• There are tons of LARGE rental houses!.  This place must have the most houses with the largest square footage in the US, I swear!  Party of 10-20 anyone?

 

Isn't it funny how so many amazing things can be right in your backyard but can take you so long to touch them, feel them or SEE them?!

The little things always turn out to be the big things!  :)