I bought this spiral ring in Greece at the end of my Balkan trip because I enjoyed the symbolism. It was a constant reminder to hold space for myself in order to continue focusing on my inward and outward evolution. It was a refreshing reminder of my progress over the past few years. Last week a little human asked me a simple question. This quick string of words changed my perspective, indefinitely. “Why are you wearing a mosquito coil?” This ring will no longer be a reminder of my own personal journey. Thanks to a curious 8 year old, it is now a reminder of the family of mosquitos currently inhabiting my bedroom.
Anyway, I can’t wait for y’all to blossom into the beautiful humans that you’re always aspiring to become. I decided against creating a new years resolution because just like myself, my goals are always transforming. The goal you make today may not be beneficial for who you are tomorrow. If you create one, please don’t feel guilty if you have to ditch your resolutions. The path I’m currently following is a direct result of following my own personal tides. For better or for worse- tides will always bring change. Usually I find that my tides create waves that are more like tidal waves. They come and go with fierce impulsivity, eroding away at both the good and the bad. After years of sailing through my own waters, I learned to love my crashing waves. These rough currents are chaotic, they can be destructive and yes, sometimes they will hurt. Our crashing waves will always bring frustration but without them we would never discover sea glass.
& we all know how much I love sea glass so I’ll take the risk of a few personal hurricanes over stagnant waters any day.
“I know sometimes
it’s still hard to let me see you
in all your cracked perfection,
but please know:
whether it’s the days you burn
more brilliant than the sun
or the nights you collapse into my lap
your body broken into a thousand questions,
you are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
I will love you when you are a still day.
I will love you when you are a hurricane.”
-A Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics
On your own journeys, you’ll dive into the swell of your own uncharted territory. Whether you find yourself inhaling in the salty brine of your jagged coastline or skipping rocks while meandering around your reflective lakeside, remember to embrace that balance. Embrace the push and pull of the moon and get ready to embrace the obstacles ahead. Be inspired by your own refusal to become stagnant, mosquito-loving bogwater. Every day we face different circumstances that force us to make immediate decisions based on emotions, faith or past experiences and we should be proud of that resilience. We forget how much control we have over ourselves and it is too often that people feel powerless. We forget that humans are allowed to make a change and they do not need an excuse nor do they owe anyone an explanation. Every decision I’ve made has lead me to who I am today. I am writing this as a formal invitation to your new, unearthed self. Follow your tides and see where it gets you. Whatever method you take to get there, make yourself proud. I can’t wait to meet all of you, again. You are exactly where you need to be and I will always be rooting for you.
Have a wonderful year,
The Three Toed Traveler.
P.s. I thought about changing my name due to the amount of concern I’ve received over the wellbeing of my toes. Just to clarify, I will swim into 2018 with a love for three toed sloths and all 10 of my toes alive & well.
Snorkel on, sea friends.
Aimee the Ramblin’ Woman 