Yesterday was my last full day in St. Augustine, this beautiful little city that I was quite fortunate to spend 3-plus years of my life here. Looking back to when I first moved here, when I was 19-years-old, is mind-blowing. I was in such a different place- in my mind, body, and spirit. I struggled during the end of my high school years... And coming here enabled me to really and completely be myself. One of the best decisions I made for myself was joining the cross-country team-I became connected with ladies I will never ever fall out of touch with, I know for a fact- they know me almost as well as my very own mother. They have seen me at my very worst, and at my absolute best.
Like two book-ends of the story of my life here in St. Augustine, cross-country and yoga teacher training were two choices that I believe helped to shape me into the person I am today. Although they are so different, both helped me to grow in extraordinary ways, helped discipline me, helped me to realize my innate joy, helped me to connect with genuinely good people, kept me grounded, and helped me to reach out to other people.
This is the place where I truly began my evolution into a woman, as korny as that sounds, it's very true. I have learned life lessons here that will continue to guide me throughout the rest of my time here on earth. When I begin to think about all of the people who have helped me here, helped guide me, taught me, and even made mistakes with me, I am overwhelmed with gratefulness and disbelief. How could I have met so many people who have impacted me this much in just a few years? I guess you could say it's the age---19 to nearly 23 is a commonly transformative time period in a females' life, so they say. But I know I am lucky and I feel overwhelmingly blessed for every single experience- good or bad- and everyone who has shared their love with me.
I spent yesterday morning in one of my favorite places in the world- Discovery Yoga's main studio. I had the pleasure to teach the Sunday morning community class-- I couldn't have chosen a better way to spend my morning on my last day here. I was anticipating nerves, but they never came. Even as the 22nd person filed in the room, I stayed calm and incredibly happy to have that opportunity. That was the same room where I was trained as a yoga teacher--- and I was finally sharing my love, hard work, and passion for the practice of yoga with a real class at Discovery! It was a great success, and to make things even better, some of my best friends- old and new- were in the front row.
Laura, one of my very first friends, who I never thought would want to go to a yoga class, was there for me. Phil, who is a brand new, but dear friend of just a couple of months came. Christy, one of the most compassionate and kindest women I know- my cross-country coach and life coach- sat cross-legged directly in front of me. And Kelley, fellow yogi and one of the strongest and most hilarious ladies I have ever came across-- another life coach of mine-- who has helped to pick me up when I was at the lowest of my lows, was there to support me and to catch me if I needed her.
Lately, I have been telling people, "It's not Goodbye, it's see you later!" And I am not just saying those words to make my departure less painful. It's true. I will inevitably- whether it's months, years, or decades from now- see them later. And the relationships and connections I have made with people will not die simply because my life is changing. They will just be different, and that is simply the way life is- always evolving, changing, never staying the same for very long.
See you later!
And, Namaste!
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