The greatest lesson I've ever learned.
Hi, my name is Carly, and I’m addicted to “doing.”It began at a young age, my affinity for life experiences. And in those experiences and acts of “doing," came a sense of accomplishment.I grew up on Long Island and attended a small high school with nearly 500 people in the whole school. I thought, if I can get out of here, attend a large university, and have THE college experience with football, parties, Greek life, etc...if I can move, expand & connect…then I will have the right experiences to allow me to succeed in life.I chose Penn State and got exactly what I asked for – large Greek life, educational opportunities, parties, football, 40,000 18-21 year olds in the middle of nowhere PA.And from there, I started thinking, “check! what's next?"“I have to go abroad.”From the very first time I learned about the foreign and unique animals at age 12, I’ve always dreamed of exploring Australia…“When I get to Australia, I will have made it. With that experience, life can begin for me,“ I thought to myself.Australia was incredible but there was still more."What can I check off my list next?" The beach, yes! That's IT!" I moved out to San Diego and lived less than a mile from the gorgeous Pacific Ocean where I would run daily and watch the sky set on fire every night when the sun melted into the vast horizon.Beach, check!In 2010, India it was.I thought to myself, after this Carly, you will be crystal clear on who you are and what you want to create in this life. This is your golden ticket.India was AMAZING and fascinating; it pushed me beyond my limits and unlocked an entire different perspective on life.
Through my time, experience, and growth in India I began to recognize there was something I was chasing.
There was a repeat pattern in my life…go, go, go….do, do, do.
Do MORE, Be MORE, See MORE.
I was chasing a vision of how I thought my life should look. And from this space, I was propelled forward by constant action.
It almost became this frantic race to fit in as much as I possibly could with my time here.I was chasing this idea that my life was supposed to look a certain way.I was chasing this idea of "I will be happy when... "I will be happy when I achieve the experience of owning my own business, when I make a certain amount of money or look a certain way. I will be happy when I achieve, X, Y, Z."Have you ever been in this place?And then it dawned on me, what if instead I chose to be happy -- right now? Right here. With who I am at this very moment in time.
I stepped powerfully into the concept that my worth is not based on my accomplishments, the things I “do,” or the amount of things I check off my list of life experiences.
My worth is based on how I show up in the world.
Am I pure, true, honest, loving, caring, and aware?Am I creating a life that lets me live to my very highest potential?Am I surrounding myself with people who love and support me?Am I feeding myself food, which empowers and strengthens me?Am I connecting deeply with my heart, soul, and spirit daily through my spiritual practices?Do I love with all I am?And with that realization, I see that the business, travels, and experiences that are currently on my vision board and being manifested as we connect here, are nothing without a deep connection to myself. They’re nothing, without beautiful people to share the experiences with and create lasting memories.
I understand that there is no destination, the entire experience of being alive is based on our experiences each day. Each sacred and beautiful moment in time, uniquely intertwined to create your life's story.
I may be addicted to “doing” but more than that, I’m addicted to love, to faith, to beauty, to self-expression and the development of my SELF.
I'm addicted to learning and growth. To every.single.day being kinder, more aware, more vulnerable and expressive than the day before.This life, it’s all an adventure, there is no destination. Let’s support one another on the wild ride.
My presence in the gratitude and awareness of each sweet moment is the greatest lesson I've ever learned.
I want to hear from you:
How are you creating your life's story? What unique moment are you grateful for recently?
Thank you for joining me on my journey.Love & grace,Carly
Why are you so enchanted by this world, when a mine of gold lies within you? ~Rumi
And just because....http://vimeo.com/76820114