I am so excited to be a part of Print Therapy’s Beauty in the Blooming Blog Tour. It’s all about living in the now and I for one can certainly share a few words on the topic. Melissa & Nicholas Wert are awesome for starting this and I am just happy to have a bit part. Check out their website by the way, there is lots to see!

Here is my contribution:

The more I get older and look back at what I have accomplished, its more and more easier to live in the now. Of course the future is on my mind and since I am a planner, its thought of daily. However, nothing takes me away from appreciating my life NOW and all the great things I have and amazing people I adore.

I can definitely say its been a long journey to where I am today. I’ve experienced quite a lot in my younger years, which really prepared me for the obstacles I would later face in life. Because of the lessons I learned, people I came across, and battles I fought, I was able to tackle the hardship of unemployment I dealt with after being laid off from my first job out of school. Six months and they let me go on Mother’s Day. Ridiculous to say the least. And I had nothing to my name. But I did what I had to do and didn’t enjoy it one bit. This is when I started to also focus on freelancing here and there to start building the life I wanted for myself. And now 7 years later, I am a business owner who absolutely is living the dream. My dream.

Through those years there were plenty more challenges that came my way. I went through a tough breakup with him moving out. The stress of not having money and unemployment issues didn’t help. I ended up having a friend move in but that didn’t work out as planned and I was back in the same situation. I even tried my first attempt at starting a small business, this is when I first opened up my Etsy shop in 2009, which later just felt like the wrong path to take. I believe my positive outlook during these times allowed opportunities, both big and small, to come my way. Although not all were successful, one was. Working with Petite Picasso doing book design was the beginning of something, and it gave me hope I was moving in the right direction.

Now everyone has a different vision for their life. Only you can create the happiness you deserve. I was one to never give up, even when I was thrown on the floor and kicked to the side. I rose up and knew I was worth more. The main thing always on my, mind most of all, was when the future I wanted was going to be the NOW. Design has always been my life and it has been put first since I was a child. I was meant to bring beauty into the world, and through all my talents as an artist, I took every chance to do so. Determination is key to creating your own happiness.

Today, I look back on my life and have no regrets. I am a strong woman who knows her worth. My life is the way it is because I created it. I knew love was out there for me, and when I focused on myself and wasn’t looking for it, it came. About a month after that rough breakup in the summer of 2008, I crossed paths with Dan. I am now a proud wife and couldn’t be happier.

Photo by Lauren Elle Photography

While planning and designing our wedding, I learned that this was the place for me. Soon after, Gray Star Design was born. Owning a home was another goal on my list and that dream came true winter of 2012 before Dan and I got married. And even though I feel being a homeowner sometimes sucks the life out of me, I love our little home sweet home immensely. We have both worked so hard to create a haven of happiness and it holds tons of blood, sweat, and tears, thats for sure.

Change is also a major thing when it comes to living in the now. You must accept change. Thankfully, I have always been one to live for it, so when my life threw me curveballs, I went with the flow. A big change in my lifestyle happened almost 5 years ago when I became a vegetarian and it was the best thing I have ever done. By just being more aware and learning about the issues animals and the earth face everyday, it was a no brainer. I am passionate about the cause and take pride in what I stand for. All this helps me to live in the now even more.

Just these past few years alone has forced Dan and I to change and adjust to what life was throwing at us. You have to remember that nothing is perfect and you must work for everything. Even relationships. They are certainly not easy. My marriage hasn’t always been 100% jolly, and I am sure yours hasn’t either. Let’s all be honest. But you work through it. Love and positivity always find a way. My battle with a neck injury was really taking its toll on me, my everyday life, and my work. After a few years of pain, stress, and aggravation, I finally decided to have surgery this past May to remove the herniated disk that was causing all my problems. I tackled the problem, took care of it, and came out on top. I am now healing well and getting back to normal. You can always find a way!

So, take a look around and ask yourself a few questions. What in your life makes you happy? Are you where you want to be? If not, get there and try to enjoy the process. I am very happy and content with my life as it is right now. How can I not be? I have a great husband, a beautiful home, a loving family, awesome friends, a dream job, my two amazing dogs, and of course, ME! However, that doesn’t mean I am not still shooting for the stars. Growing is what got you here in the first place! Everyday of my life has paved the way to the present and I have slowly bloomed into something even more beautiful.

There are plenty of things to be happy about. If you don’t have your eyes open wide enough to see how beautiful they are, then hopefully, with a little determination, positivity, and the push to change, you will see the colorful life you live. The NOW will soon be the past, so live every minute a smile.