WITHOUT HESITATION

What is a NESTpiration you say?  It is what makes you jump out of your seat and yell woohoo!  It’s what puts an automatic “million dollar smile” on your face.  What melts your heart and makes you say awww out loud.  What causes you to think.  It’s what reaches into your soul.  And brings a tear to your eye.  Or – what makes you wanna do your happy dance!

NESTpirations are touchstones in our busy lives.  It’s an inspiration from a person, picture, quote or happening.  From life! Who knows!

My second NESTpiration is dedicated to my family and friends who have encouraged me throughout my new journey.  And to myself for being “brave enough.”  Particularly, to Sam (husband) and to Samantha (daughter).  My love for them is deep and pure and whole.

Sam, my dream of a husband, is the most amazing man I know.  He is my best friend.  Simply the kindest man there is.  Intelligent, funny and handsome (don’t tell him I said that).  Always a fountainhead of unconditional love and support.  He has seen me at my very worst and loves me anyway. My soulmate in all things called Life.  And he makes a mean Cappucino!

My daughter, Samantha, is the laughter in my heart.  She is proof that life is good and kind, and very very funny.  Samantha is my source of mutual sarcasm (well one of them).  We have a connection that defies words – our channels are often on automatic dial.  She is one of my best(girl)friends.  I’m so lucky!  She is a sassy and classy lady!  Her character makes her even more beautiful on the outside.  And she is as real as they come.  I love her for that.

My sissy, Julie, is my confidant and best(sister)friend.  I simply don’t know what I would do without her!  We have grown up and grown older together.  We’ve experienced life’s ups and downs, and listened with open hearts to each others narration of our life chapters.  Even though she doesn’t live nearby, our souls are linked together through the universe.

To all of my sister friends, my old friends and to my new friends that feel like old ones.  You have encouraged me in spite of myself.  Believed in me when I didn’t.  Thank you for helping me to be vulnerable (you know how hard this is for me).  T.H.A.N.K. Y.O.U. A.L.L. For helping me to reveal my true being, both in this blog and through the process of writing my book.

And finally, there is one more group I’ve spent my entire life with.  They have been thanked, reprimanded or ignored, depending on the occasion.  I travel with an eclectic cast of characters – Me, Myself and I.  Otherwise known as My Heart, My Spirit, and My Imagination.  They’ve been known to inspire me, as well as play tricks on me.  I would even go so far as  to say, sometimes betray me.  The perfect frenemy.  They can make me feel like superwoman, able to move mountains with my pinky, and then ask – what’s next?  They have been such exuberant cheerleaders I’ve had to shush them at times.  Then at the blink of an eye, they can be the “mean girls” in school.  Snickering as I sit down to write.  (I’ve come a long way…I used to say “attempt” to write. Yay Me!!!

We’ve all stood in front of a mirror and heard our cast of characters tell us we weren’t enough of something.  Or too much of another.  And while we recognize how horrible it feels to be typecast by others; we allow our cast of characters back for a second act.  We are hard on ourselves.  And then some.  We can’t allow the mean girls to rob us of our passion.  Or pursuit thereof.  Time to show them the door!  There.  Passion in tact!

The catalyst of change lies in knowing that ultimately:

YOU HAD THE POWER ALL ALONG!

So..in spite of, and because of all this – my family, friends, and yes, my cast of characters, I’ve come to a realization in pursuing my life’s passion and goals:

I will BE myself, BE genuine, BE real, BE fearless, BE open, and whatever happens is meant to BE!

As Coco Chanel famously said –

“The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.”

Whether you are just beginning to fluff your nest. If you’re about to step into it (the empty nest that is!). Or perhaps you’re finally on the other side and can now proclaim yourself “not so empty,” hopefully.

Find your truth. And BE it.