Birthday Gratitude and Travel Physical Therapy

| October 4, 2016 |

Another year passed. I am a year older, but it’s more than that. Today, I reflect on all the changes I’ve seen in the past year, and genuinely believe I’ve created many tiny miracles and manifestations over the last 365 days. I’m incredibly grateful for the amount of LOVE I feel today; I have received and given so much love that my heart is completely full. As I am home today with strep throat (didn’t feel like sharing it with my patients), I am spending my time between naps in intense bouts of gratitude. Today, the Universe sent me this incredible email to wish me a happy birthday:

Let’s reflect on my year.

I’ve transitioned from living the Salt Life in Florida…

Where I learned how to live independently, miles away from my loved ones and family. I learned to fearlessly embrace all opportunity, and also joined many communities that inspired me to live a deeply spiritual life.

I spent 24 hours in Amsterdam, with no set itinerary, and a liberating sense of exploration!

In my life-changing trip to Tanzania, Africa, I realized my boundaries are limitless and I can use my skills as a Physical Therapist to facilitate a change in the world. 

I was greeted with the smiles of the children I was blessed to work with at Step By Step, and formed lasting bonds with the members of EduTours Africa.

I journeyed into the wild, and witnessed untouched nature in its truest form.

I was WOW-ed by the majestic animals, and felt so intensely connected to the people in Tanzania.

I worked with a group of equally inspiring individuals, as we unified in our passion for service and our thirst for adventure.

I returned to South Florida with a renewed sense of myself. I realized I didn’t just need the ocean. I realized I wanted something more, and I was ready to explore and spread my wings even further. I wanted to leave South Florida for many reasons, but this did not overshadow my gratitude for the 13 months living the salt life, and I collaborated with Tallymark Productions to commemorate the wonderful memories I hold close to my heart…

I remember a close friend asking me what I am been looking for when I told him I was leaving South Florida. Why did I have a desire to travel around? I pondered this for some time, wondering what it was I really wanted. I realized that I am actually not looking for anything in particular. I am not lost, and I am not in a mid-life crisis where I’m trying to find myself. Instead, I feel so overwhelmingly connected to my intuition and my heart that I am following it wherever it takes me. I didn’t judge the fact that I thought I only needed the ocean because, at the time, I did. Instead, I looked at my thoughts with curiosity and wondered where they would take me next. Maybe I am not entirely sure what I need. Maybe I don’t know where I will want to settle down. But, maybe I also don’t want to just yet. I started feeling excited to see where my passion for adventure would bring me next.

When I decided it was time to leave South Florida, the mountains were calling me so intensely. It was almost obnoxious. I began fueling my inspiration and heart with images of the Pacific Northwest through social media exploration. My instagram feed was exploding with mountainous peaks and valleys, all taken by talented photographers in the great PNW. I knew I needed to go…

I also wanted true freedom. I wanted to be able to return to Africa and stay for a month, or travel abroad to learn Spanish, help other countries, or travel home to see my family when I wanted. I felt ready to embrace an even deeper sense of travel and adventure, connecting with others who push themselves out of their comfort zones. Thus, I pursued Travel Physical Therapy. And this brought me to the mountains in Washington.

Now, here I am, in the state of Washington. Now, here I am, amongst the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen thus far.

I feel inspired daily, and want to create and explore. I want to treasure the simple things, like water droplets on a flower.

I want to see peaks and valleys and lakes and rivers and waterfalls and expansive landscapes.

I want to breathe this wild air, and experience all life has to offer. I want to BE ME and BE FREE. Even if “me” is a little crazy or emotional or over-enthusiastic.

I am so grateful for this freedom to explore. I am grateful for my freedom to connect. I am grateful my heart is open and I am vulnerable and will continue to give. I know the Universe is on my side, and my family and friends will forever be there to support me. I truly feel like the luckiest girl on the planet, and couldn’t have asked for a better gift from the Universe: this life, this freedom, and an unpaved path ahead.