*~Soul Connections in Seoul*~

Establishing human connections is perhaps our most valuable ability/gift on Earth. Lately I've been meeting some amazing people and making some real soul connections in Seoul.. In quiet reflection, I began to think about my relationships with others and I have come to understand how those connections have played [and still are playing] a major role in my life.

I realize that in life it's easy to become so distracted and occupied with work, school, things and just life that we may neglect the relationships in our lives. But, when we go home from work or school and we put those things down, the most important thing in life is our connections to others. Human relationships and connections are so beautiful. Yet, often very difficult to establish and maintain. Creating relationships becomes difficult when we are afraid or when we hold back and push others away for fear of being hurt.  Fear is a like a snake that easily slithers into our lives, it can cause us to create these self-imposed prisons that we don't know how to get out of and we don't know how to let others in. Sometimes, we've been so hurt that we build walls without even knowing that we are isolating ourselves from the world and perhaps missing out on creating some beautiful relationships.

I don't want to fall into the trap of fear. I realize that creating relationships and establishing connections is usually a risk. It means that I will have to allow myself be vulnerable, but I'm ok with that. Alicia Keys said it best "I'd risk the fall, just to know how it feels to fly."  The 'seoul' purpose of life is to be happy, but what is happiness if we have no one to share it with?

I'm spreading my wings and flying...not worrying or operating in fear. I'm just living to create meaningful relationships [friendships] where I can give love and let love in :) I'm so thankful for all of the beautiful people I've had an opportunity to meet and cross paths with in Korea. Each of them have played a role in helping me to continuously evolve into a beautiful woman. It has been an amazing experience [and I've only been here for a about 4 months] that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I'm looking forward to the rest of the surprises that will unfold while I'm living my dreams in Korea; if the rest of my time here is anything like the beginning then I'm in for a real treat :)
*Happiness feels so good*

~*Season's Change*~

As I was walking to work today I saw beautiful Magnolias in full bloom. The leaves on trees were finally turning green and the sun was shining so beautifully. I was so excited to see that we are finally on the verge of spring in Korea. The season's are changing {not just in the weather, but in my life} Leaving behind this bitter winter with a promising spring on the horizon. 

This winter was perhaps one of the coldest winter's in Korea and ironically it was one of the coldest winter's in my life. It seemed like everything was falling apart. And every time I thought I was finally getting it together something else would go wrong. I was at a point in my life where I was questioning everything and trying to make sense of all of the things that were happening. But I started to realize that maybe it's true that somethings fall apart so other things can fall together. And maybe sometimes we think everything is going wrong when in reality we are just being prepared to be elevated to the next level of life.

But thankfully seasons change. 

Season's change and give us the opportunity to enter a new place in life. And I gladly welcome this new season in my life. It has already started out so beautifully with this move to Korea. A new start. New friends (still miss all the old ones). A new job. A new outlook. And a new me. Since being here I've really began to create the kind of happiness I was longing to have. {So glad my family and friends really supported me in my decision to move}

I've been able to reflect on all of the heartbreak, betrayal, frustration, fear and baggage I picked up in the winter of 2009 and I have simply released it. Pain has a special way of putting us in a kind of self-imposed prison, where we begin to wallow in self-pity and get caught up in negativity. I knew I had to make some changes or else I would become a prisoner of the past. So I {with the strength of GOD} dried up my tears and took control. I've been meditating, praying and learning to forgive which has truly given me the ability to let go and move forward. 

Letting go all of that excess baggage makes me feel so free. Now I can smile and really feel it and mean it. I can love without expecting anything in return. I can give kindheartedly. I can live freely. I can be happy without feeling guilty. And I can live in a happiness I never knew  existed. Sometimes we never know how strong we are until we look back and say "Wow I don't know how I made it through that?" (But deep down I know GOD carried me through and put special people in my life to help me through it. Thank you)

GOD really knows how to set up a blessing. I can now look back and put all the pieces together. I know that I went through all of those things so I could learn some valuable lessons, develop strength and test my pretty wings. And now I'm discovering a happiness that I cannot even put into words and flying my pretty wings around...

Seasons change.

And this season has changed for the best. Things may not be perfect, but I'm living my dreams in love, peace and freedom :)