What If You Fly?

I saw a picture the other day that had a mother bird and a baby bird.  The baby bird was afraid to move off the tree limb.  In the picture, the little bird looked at its mom and said, "What if I fall?" and the response of the mom was, "Oh, but my darling, what if you fly"?  

Sometimes I feel like the baby bird.  I want to sit on my little tree branch, where I am comfortable and confident, and be left alone.  I do not want to move nor change.  And I certainly do not want to leave my tree branch, let alone fly away from it.  

Fear keeps me stagnant but happiness makes me want to fly.  Uncertainty holds me back but happiness makes me want to fly.  Control makes me want to stay in the same place but happiness makes me want to fly.  And today, I wonder what keeps other people on their tree branch.  I wonder what keeps them from flying.  

When I am happy, I feel like the silly little seagull in the picture.  Happiness is my simple reason to fly off my branch, out of my comfort zone and into the world around me.  Happiness makes me vulnerable, yet confidence in who I am and where I have come from gives me strength.  

And you know what else makes me want to fly?  Having someone else believe in me, helping me find confidence in myself, guiding me to fly off the branch.  This is because I know that should my wings not be strong enough to withstand the flight, I will always have a friend or family member right beside me to catch me.  And today, my wish for you is that you have people in your world that would catch you, too.  

"This is my wish for you:

Comfort on difficult days,

smiles when sadness intrudes,

rainbows to follow the clouds,

laughter to kiss your lips,

sunsets to warm heart,

hugs when spirits sag,

beauty for your eyes to see,

friendships to brighten your being,

faith so that you can believe,

confidence for when you doubt,

courage to know yourself,

patience to accept the truth,

Love to complete your life".

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Love Note: With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.

It Takes a Village

Recently, I was talking with one of my best friends and she said, "Stacy, it takes a village to get through life".  And I know my husband would agree that it has taken a village for us to get through this last year and a half.  

My dad always said, "Stacy, its not what you know but who you know" and I wholeheartedly believe he was right.  The knowledge that we gain throughout our journey in life is powerful and yet the people we surround ourselves with is empowering. 

 

Throughout my professional career, I have lost my job 3 times.  And each time it was because of my health.  It was never out of choice, but instead because my body could not mentally nor physically handle the workload while subsequently fighting the illness.  And this time around has been no exception:  I have been out of work since December of 2022.  

As we slowly depleted our bank account, we started selling our designer clothes, shoes and accessories online.  Also, my husband picked up a second job on weekends to further support our efforts to keep our house and car.  We also reached out to our "village" of friends and family for help.  We were showered with love and reminded that we are beyond blessed by the village of people that we have in our lives.  

Today I will wear my high heels not only for myself and my family but for the people in my life who matter the most, who stepped up when we needed them, and who refuse to leave our sides as we live through this difficult season.  

Love Note:  With all my heart, I genuinely request that due to the content written, please seek the guidance of professional help should you feel you need it.