Embrace the Challenge

I have learned so much about myself in the past decade, that I barely remember who I used to be.  The years of struggle and hardship now have faded into a distant memory of what seems to be someone else's life.

Now I understand that every challenge has been an opportunity for me to grow beyond anything I could have done otherwise.  My greatest achievement has been to see and appreciate every lesson.

You Can Get There From Here (Or Wherever You Are)

It's the most incredible experience to begin with so little and end up with so much.  I want to say never, in my wildest dreams - but the truth is I did dream it.  Every story I read or heard about beautiful places and incredible lives sent me off into a fantastic daydream of being there and living that life.  

Now I'm here, sitting at a rooftop bar, at a gorgeous hotel overlooking the beach and wondering how a simple girl from Iowa ended up here.  It wasn't the life that I ever expected but somehow it all happened.