Within

Meet me atop a mountain 

and you will see within 

the deepest trenches of my heart,

Of my self

My darkest parts on display,

I am an open wound

But you see past that

Past all the scars,

into my very core

And I condone you,

for it is hard to see through all the fog

There was once a brick wall,

but it has been knocked down over time,

brick by brick 

and I am left bare.

The feeling of freedom 

courses through my veins 

as I overlook the vast landscape 

the universe has laid out before me

And I don't want this feeling to leave my bones 

for all of eternity

For now, I'm back on solid ground

However,

my soul is still atop that mountain

amongst the clouds.

The Mountains are Always a Good Idea

This is one of my many life motto's, and the one I chose to go with this past Monday, as I drove up to Zion National Park with my friend, Robert. We hadn't decided on a trail until we were driving into the park. I started to mention Angel's Landing and he was already responding with, "Let's do it," before I had finished my sentence. It was the best decision. 

Three hours later, as I stood at the top of Angel's Landing, overlooking all that I could see of Zion, I was at peace. The amount of content that I felt in that moment is one that will continue to resonate with me. Everything that had happened in my life up to that point was cast aside to make room for this one moment. And god, was it incredible. 

Everything was covered in snow, and the sun was just peeking out enough to make her appearance at the horizon. The mountains looked as if they could go on forever and cars along the highway seemed as if they were small ants, just inching along. I can close my eyes and still feel the cold wind on my face, accompanied by the five minutes worth of little snow sprinkles we received while up top. 

Angel's Landing was the hardest, most rewarding hike I've done yet, and I've spent the last week day dreaming about being back atop that mountain. 

Have a beautiful weekend lovelies! xoxo  

2016 Resolutions Intentions

I love beginnings. Fresh starts. Clean slates. New years. There's just something about beginning again that holds so much promise. You're the same person, you just have the chance to start anew. I love that.

At the end of each year, I write out my resolutions for the year to come. This year is no different; except that it is. Just slightly. Because there's nothing I feel that need to "resolve." I know who I am, and where I'm going, for the most part.

So this year, instead of labeling them resolutions, I'm calling them my intentions. I've listed them below, written as if I'm writing to myself. I hope you have a few resolutions, or intentions of your own this year.

Enjoy and Happy New Year! May 2016 be everything you intend it to be. xoxo

2016 Intentions

1. Pour yourself into your writing. Write constantly, ferociously and as often as possible. It will set you free.

2. Have more confidence in yourself, in your work, in your talents. You are so much more than you give yourself credit for. 

3. Take care of yourself. Emotionally, physically, mentally, spiritually. YOU are your first priority.

4. Explore. Venture out. Wander endlessly. See the world. Don't stop feeding your hunger for adventure.

5. Always remember how strong you are. Take a second and recall how you've made it this far. That counts for something.

6. It's okay to be selfish, and it's okay to be selfless. Work on finding and understanding the balance between the two.   

7. Stop apologizing for who you are. The word "sorry" won't do any good when accompanied by the qualities that make up YOU.