^^ Family is everything.

Sooo the past couple of weeks has turned everything I thought I knew the last 2 years around.. before my newly ” single & loving it” lifestyle I had been a girl to ALWAYS put everyone before myself. My friends, family, the man in my life etc.. I could never say no to invitations. I would answer the phone to give my friends advice even when I was depleted of all my energy from a long day. I used everything in my being to make sure everyone around me was OK & happy. Never wanted to disappoint. I didn’t address any of my needs, hurting or healing. Then one day I woke up and changed it all.. I became single ..for the first time in years. I decided to focus on ME for once. I guess you can say I was learning to be more selfish with my time. To rebuild myself, to be content being alone. Completely Independent. I wanted to prove to myself that I didn’t need anyone… But that when I wanted people in my life I could have them for the right reasons. Let’s say I’ve definitely done that. What I’ve learned is a lot about myself and what makes me happy. what I’ve also learned is that my heart is way too huge to keep to myself!
So I’ve decided this is the end of my self-imposed two year hiatus. Why you ask? Well.. it’s quite simple.. I know who I am. I have been fortunate enough to learn through experience who I truly am…to be completely happy with my perfectly imperfect life. I have been comfortable being alone, just me and my little one for awhile now. Recently, I look around at my life and feel a little like I have been sleepwalking for the past few years in the romantic aspect of life. Ive had people close to me say that I have unrealistic expectations… And that’s why I’m single . That I’m looking for Prince Charming.. well guess what.. I am..MY Prince Charming! He prob won’t ride in on a white horse… & not be part of a royal family… But he will adore every part of my being, & I his. He will be God loving and an inspiration to me. Recenly I’ve been reminded of what it’s like to feel butterflies again..a feeling I have missed. A quote I love.. “You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” So, now more than ever, I just know it is time to try something new & trust the magic of new beginnings.
I’ve also learned this…..stay balanced!
And this important truth… we are on borrowed time. Please don’t wait for tomorrow or the next day. Love unconditionally & fiercely. Jump into new relationships, even if it doesn’t work, you’re making memories in the moment . Laugh, experience, live.
The past few months have been hugely eye-opening for me. Someone I love more than life found out she has cancer. A woman that has helped shape the woman I have become today. Someone I’ve always looked up to. she is the strongest woman I know & she will get through this battle. So beautiful on the inside & the outside! I can’t wait for this to be a memory & testament of your strength, endurance and faith. I love you so much. 🙏🏼❤️
And I’ve also learned this … As it turns out, life isn’t about “loving yourself first.” It’s about loving other people fiercely and tangibly and unconditionally. Certainly you should love yourself, but a self-focused life is a very empty life. A happy life is about loving God first and other people second. Putting the people you love and their needs ahead of your own. Showing up for people. Being there for people. Praying for people, yes…but also being a living, breathing answer to their prayer by SHOWING UP. Not sitting around wasting endless amounts of time focusing on yourself. Because I’ve found that when you step outside yourself and just show up for other people, loving yourself suddenly becomes a whole lot easier. Self-love is a by-product of loving people well…it’s not and shouldn’t be the focus of your life. All of this, I know, is a bit of a departure from the platitudes I’ve posted, the stance I’ve taken & outlook I’ve endorsed over the past year or so.. But I will readily admit that I have been too self-focused lately. While I was still there for my friends and family… When it comes to my dating life I have been very secluded, by choice. I realize I need to stop this if I really want to get to know someone I’m interested in. Sooo lately , Im making effort, going out of my way, and actually “trying”. I’m taking chances and being vulnerable. Slowly, letting down the guard I’ve had up around myself and my heart. I couldn’t even see how much I was sheltering , guarding and protecting myself. Shutting down has definitely impacted my writing. I’ve been uncertain about what to say in my blogs. I haven’t felt like I should be out there giving anyone advice or insight on how to live their lives because I was essentially sitting on the sidelines of mine in some ways.
my life..my stuff .. my time..my needs and my evolution as a person had been my #1 focus…all in the name of “loving myself.” But no more…
I don’t want to live an easy, comfortable, self-indulgent life for even one more day. I don’t want to sit around and pat myself on the back and list off all the reasons why I should love myself. I want to be out there, on the front lines, in the trenches of life, showing up for people and listing off all the ways I can love them better.
So here’s where I’m at..I’m going to focus & write about life as not just a strong independent woman…but life as a Woman of God. A mother. An aunt.A daughter. A sister.a friend. A lover of writing, art travel, books, nature & most importantly love. The happy moments, the sad moments, the mundane moments, and the magical moments. I’m going to write about whatever is on my heart.
Change is good, and necessary, and scary, and beautiful. And as I go through reworking this blog and my writing I hope you’ll stick with me. I feel like some really good stuff is ahead. Honest stuff. Hard stuff. Healing stuff.
I’m out there again. I’m living my life to the fullest, as usual. with alittle more perspective 😉 now where is my prince 🤗 haha

Love Always,
Sarah Elizabeth ❤️

“A life without love is of no account. Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western… Divisions only lead to more divisions. Love has no labels, no definitions. It is what it is, pure and simple.

Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire!

The universe turns differently when fire loves water.”

A quote from Rumi, via Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak