Almond Drive

Somewhere in the middle of the madness. Somewhere in the midst of my dreams coming true and curating new dreams, was a long pause. A long pause, consisting of forgetfulness. 

For a moment, I forgot the way it felt to be soaked in sunshine, covered in dirt and horse hair. I forgot what it felt like to put my foot in a stirrup and swing a leg over. I forgot how the back of a horse can sometimes double as wings. I forgot what flying felt like.  

Somewhere between the rolling vineyards and almond trees, theres a ranch that sits quietly and greets the sun as it rises and waves goodbye as it sets just the same. The sky, a canvas melted with pink, purple and dark blues painted by Mother Nature herself. A ranch full of warm welcomes and happy to see you faces, another family, another home. 

Every night if you step outside for just a moment the frogs and crickets will sing together, loud and proud. The dust settles, and the smell of crisp air fills your nose. And if you're lucky you can catch the last of the sun shining through the field of almond trees. 

In those moments, theres nowhere else you'd rather be. A serene moment romanticized by the truest parts of yourself. 

We are quick to think the grass is always greener on the other side, maybe sometimes it is and maybe sometimes it's not. Maybe sometimes we have to leave the people and places that were best for us, just to later develop a deeper appreciation for them.

Everyday I get a little older, and everyday I transform just a little deeper. I've learned that in some of the most lonesome times in our lives, is where we evolve the most. If we can embrace the pain life inevitably throws at us, and find ways to heal rather than just slapping a bandaid on it, we'll realize more than we had ever bargained for. 

For me, I decided spending a few days back at my old job, playing cowgirl, working hard and laughing with my best friends might help me get out of an emotional rut. I'll say right now, it was long over due. I was back to my old self within an hour or two. You know, the self that gets winded from talking so much so fast and says really inappropriate but funny things.

It pushed a reset button and quickly, I realized that if I want to continue following my dreams, and continue on this journey of becoming my best self, that I cannot forget about the things that make my heart whole, I cannot forget about the things that make me who I am, I cannot forget about the feelings I get when Im around certain people or in certain places and I cannot forget to take care of myself.

I know that my forgetfulness was not intentional, I just got a little lost along the way was all. It's good to go missing, and get lost sometimes though, because you never know where you'll find yourself. But if you close your eyes and think back to a moment that made you feel like magic, you can always find yourself somewhere there, in that place. 

Go back there and bring those moments and memories back to life. Just revisit every now and then like an old friend and embrace rediscovering those places, people and the moments that bring you back to what is most important... you. 

Go back there.