I saw this quote in a post on Instagram a week or so ago. What really resonated with me was the last statement, “Every season serves its purpose.” I’m not unhappy with where I am in my journey nor do I think that it’s “not where I’m supposed to be.” I am exactly where I am supposed to be. I am following each season in life as it comes to me.

I’m not a terribly religious person. But I do believe that “To everything there is a season.” Up until about a month ago I was in this wonderful (for the most part) season that started at the beginning of the year. I found my creative inspiration again. I ventured out on my own to see the world. My fitness and nutrition were on point. I was exactly where I wanted to be. I felt successful in my life. I attributed a lot of this success to factors outside of myself. Influences and factors that I thought I needed in order to keep things moving forward. I was holding onto these things because I was afraid of what would happen if I let go. I was afraid I would end back up where I was in 2015, in the Middle of Nowhere. I was talking with a friend about this topic and mentioned that I was afraid about how letting go would impact my current season. She said “Caroline, you’re not afraid of anything.” ….Oh but I wish that were the case. Most of the time I know when I’m afraid to do something, it means that its the path I need to choose. And I can accept that. Then they’re a delay between recognizing it and putting my big girl pants on and doing it.

The past 4 weeks have felt like a shift to a new season. So much has happened. Summer has started, which means more time at the water, concerts at the creek, and more events in general. I also started a new job, I’ve been working on a bathroom makeover and trying to get a new routine down. There hasn’t been a “normal” week in my life since the first part of May.

In the process of this shift, I have learned that my previous season, has served its purpose. Its purpose was to light a fire back in me to get back to working on the things I love to do. It was a jump start on my battery that I could takeover and keep charged myself, just by me doing me. BUT I truly made it my season successful. It was my efforts, my drive, my decisions, that determined my success, nothing else. My future success (or failure) will be all on me as well. I am thankful for the influences and sparks that come into my life to help me along the way. But in the end, it’s all up to me to do something with these things.

So I’ve learned that it’s okay to let go of inspiration or driving forces and say “Thanks, but I’ll take it from here.” There aren’t many things that are meant to be permanent fixtures in our lives. When it’s time for things to move forward in different directions there’s no use fighting it.

I’m excited (and not afraid) to see where this new season takes me. Only time will tell…..but I have no complaints thus far.