i love happy is…

knowing when it’s time to move on.

What’s come over me?

Seriously.

There is so much change going on in my life, I can barely put it into words.  In many ways, I don’t even recognize myself.

Several weeks ago after picking blueberries we decided to drive by a small lake community in our area that we’d heard about, but had never seen.  We drove down the hill and into the woods to discover a hidden oasis.  My eyes instantly filled with tears. My husband had the biggest smile on his face.  It was as though our hearts simply knew that our new home was there waiting for us.

My husband grew up in Northern Wisconsin on a small lake resort in the woods, and I grew up visiting the mountains and lived in Boulder, Colorado for a few years.  We have both longed to find a place that would help us return to nature.  And on this day…we found it.

There was only one house for sale in this area.  We put a bid on it just moments after we discovered it.  That is very unlike us.  We are both Capricorns.  We aren’t impulsive. We think about things.  We plan it out.  We have back ups to the back up plan.  But on this day, we were being guided by a force that told us this is the one.  Go. For. It.

And so, after living in our current home for the past 10 years, we are moving.

The new house isn’t quite our style, but we have exciting plans to remodel and build an art studio/workshop for both of our businesses in the future.  Until then, a fresh coat of paint is all it needs.  The house sits on an acre of beautiful wooded trees, it has a huge garden, wildlife and lots of privacy.  The neighborhood is a mix of eclectic lake and mountain-style homes on a small, private lake.  We are thrilled that we will have the peace and quiet of living in the country along with the community vibe.  We’ve heard the neighborhood regularly has activities going on, like Easter egg hunts, 4th of July parties and pool contests – just what we want for our two little boys.

In preparation for the move, we’ve been clearing and purging and packing and letting go.  We’ve been celebrating and saying goodbye and reminiscing and feeling nostalgic and not looking back.  We’ve been frustrated and scared and nervous and excited.

And as I transition from this home to our new one, I’m seeing how my practice in letting go is really paying off.  It’s helping me move on much quicker than in the past.  It’s helping me be really ok, and actually happier with less.  It’s teaching me how to keep and stay on budget.  It’s reminding me to practice and relish living in the moment.

We’ve put a lot of love and care into our home.

We’ve enjoyed many parties and celebrations here.

This is where we started our family.

We have shared so many memories in this special place.

Many of our things are now packed in boxes.  The “to do” list is expansive.  There are a lot of unknowns.  And we are ready to let go.  Because it’s in the letting go, taking healthy risks, facing the fears of uncertainty and going for it where we learn and grow the most.

In many ways, we are starting over.  And yet, with each passing day, we know that everything changes.  Each new day is a new start.  So the fear wanes, the tears turn to joy and we embrace what life has to offer, because hope and trust and faith (along with the back up plans) will carry us through.

Your Personal Reflection:

Is there something in your life that you’ve been hesitating about?  What fears are holding you back from moving forward?  Now, more than ever before, is the time to let go, face your fears and go for it!