12 May 2021 – In December I decided my life would change. I was ready to leave the stress factory and find happiness and sunshine. I just needed to find someone who would give me a job and let me work from wherever I want. I could do anything as long as I could pay my bills. I found that. Then I needed to plan my adventures. I made plans and they haven’t really developed like I thought they would. I’m not disappointed, I’m actually kind of excited by the detours. I’ve spent my entire life making plans and following the rules – I don’t have to do that anymore. I never really did. I just thought that was the only way to live. I have always worked too hard and lived my life too strictly. I never took a moment to just breathe or sit or laugh. I am enjoying being able to make plans and change them or cancel them. The adventures are bigger than I expected. . .

The greatest adventure I have had so far is the adventure inside my own heart and head. I am learning many things about myself. I am not who I thought I was – I am more than that.

I have learned about what really matters to me – family, rest, real friends. I have learned about what doesn’t matter to me – money, stuff, hate. Most of this I knew but now it is amplified. There is no question that I just want to live a life of joy and I want to share that joy with everyone I meet. I want everyone to know all of the things I have even if I have to hit them over the head with it. I am lucky people told me all the things I need to hear.

So, if you need to hear the same things I did, here you go:

• You are enough
• You are greater than you think
• You are not small
• You deserve to be happy
• Happiness is within your reach
• You are not responsible for anyone else’s happiness (unless they are under your care)
• Adults are responsible for themselves
• No! (it is a complete sentence)
• Smile more
• Make your own sunshine