"You often feel tired, not because you've done too much, but because you've done too little of what sparks a light in you." ~Unknown
That hit hard.
It feels more relevant at this point of my life than at any other, and the reason being is that starting 2 years ago, I finally began the journey to get that spark back.
It's been 10 long years since my last blog post. I won't bore you with the details, but basically through an unfortunate series of events, I was forced to give up on or set aside all the things in my life that contributed to the very essence of who I was as a person. My blog, my photography, my beloved martial arts gym that I co-founded and co-owned with one of my best friends, my volunteer work with the local women's shelter and crisis helpline, even my own children and immediate family were forced to the side at times because of a toxic relationship with a deeply insecure and narcissistic person.
Fast forward another 10 years and another more fortunate series of events later and I'm free of that relationship and slowly but steadily working on healing myself and bringing all those things back into my life that were so essential to sparking that light in me.
I moved to a new city (actually, an old city were I used to live more than 25 years ago but I deeply appreciate it so much more now) and started a new chapter in my life as a now empty-nester. I'm in a new healthy and mutually supportive relationship with someone who loves me for exactly the quirky weirdo that I am. Of course I have my ride-or-die senior rescue dog by my side at all times. Life is amazing.
I recently finished an iPhone photography course that I thoroughly enjoyed. One of the sparks. I also learned to surf last summer, with the encouragement of my man, which allowed me the thrill of crossing off the Number One thing on my Bucket List. (It's been number 1 on there since I was 15 years old!) Another spark. We enjoyed camping and celebrating birthdays with best friends, and a big family Christmas, all of which I haven't been able to be a part of in far too many years. More sparks.
This new year brings more opportunities to spark more light, and I've never been more excited about what the future brings, or more grateful for all that I have.
This year will also see the return of this little blog, with some major revamps coming. Not for the sake of building a larger audience. Honestly it's really just one of the sweet, simple things in my life that brings me joy and sparks that light in me, even if hardly anyone else ever reads it.
I hope it brings you as much enjoyment to read as it brings me to write.
-J
