One year ago today I started the life saving journey that I never imagined I would be going on. I made what some might consider crazy radical changes, but I did it because I wanted to live. Now here we are, one year later, making more radical life changes.
Sometimes life brings in twists and turns that take us in a completely different direction. It happened to Keith and I last year (with my cancer diagnosis) and it’s happening again with our latest adventures. If you haven’t heard yet, we sold our house and basically everything in it. We bought a new truck and a RV and we’re hitting the road, living full time in the RV. We went from a 1600 sq ft house to a 32 ft travel trailer…talk about radical changes 😳🤣
 |
| 2024 Grand Design Imagine - Our new home! |
Here are a few things I’ve learned so far over the past year and especially these past few months. We don’t always see these twists and turns coming but they always cause us to leave behind one way of living to embrace the unexpected changes and new beginnings. Even though we may not see these changes coming we should all try to embrace them so we can grow, so we can heal, so we can evolve, so we can expand our ability to love. ❤️
I remind myself of this now as the world around us seems to be shifting and changing rapidly. I embrace these changes and the new experiences that await. There are many things coming to fruition now - dreams, intentions, hopes and wishes … the force of fate has been coming in strong. I’m totally surrendering to God and allowing Him to take the lead because no way could we do this in our own strength. He is our strength!
Just like my life saving changes last year, the transition phase of moving from a “sticks and bricks” house into a “tiny” house is full of emotions. It’s the beginning of a new chapter with new adventures and ventures, a new home, an entire country to explore and a beloved community of friends we have yet to meet. It’s exciting and inspiring! We decided to do this now because what if we wait too long and can’t do it later? One thing I know for sure that Keith and I learned from my diagnosis is: it can happen to you, it does make you evaluate life and we don’t have any guarantees. I know to a lot of you reading this we might sound insane but the whole purging process has been liberating! We’re ready to stop collecting things and start collecting memories.
These big life changes are A LOT and some days it feels overwhelming. I have to remind myself - breathe deeply, ground myself, center myself, connect to the earth and the stars, know that all is in perfect order and divine coordination. Glorify God and give thanks for these opportunities because life truly is an incredible gift.
One thing I have learned during my healing journey is having a cancer free mindset is paramount. Keeping my mind right might be the most important thing but some days it’s the most difficult. I work on it every single day….imagining, visualizing the goal, embodying the goal. As difficult as that may be, as far fetched as that may seem, it must be done. I do this (still) even on “bad” days and it has helped me tremendously get to where I am today.
I’m going to be very transparent and honest here. All of us will eventually lay down this physical body one last time, and will never return to it. All of us! It's never a question of if, only when. No one can say when it is your time. Nonetheless, it will come. Don’t wait too long to do the things you desire or what God has led you to do. Like I said earlier we have no guarantees.
Once you have done everything possible, everything in your power to heal, whether physically or emotionally, then it’s time to rest peacefully knowing the rest is in God's hands. His gift of healing is available to all of us we just have to turn our lives back to Him and have faith in His promises.
Here are some thoughts I want to leave with you. Please know that you aren’t alone even though sometimes life might feel very lonely:
✨Some days are more challenging than others.
✨Just remember that you have made it through all of your hardest times so far!
✨You are incredibly strong and resilient.
✨Whatever it is you are working on - know that you can do it and keep going!
✨ When your world moves too fast and you lose yourself in the chaos, introduce yourself to each color of the sunset.
✨ Reaquaint yourself with the earth beneath your feet.
✨ Thank the air that surrounds you with every breath you take.
✨Find yourself in the appreciation of life.
In closing, here’s a verse I’d like to share that God placed on my heart.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Thank you for reading, thank you for supporting me these past 12 months but mostly thank you for your endless love and prayers 🙏🏼
If you would like to follow along as we start this new journey we have created a “Grateful Nomads” Facebook Group/Instagram Page and a YouTube Channel that we will use to document our adventures.
I’ll link them below.
Until next time….keep joy in your mind and in your heart!
Much love and many blessings,
Ali
Grateful Nomads social networks
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/BNVXCCATesHm69rd/?mibextid=K35XfP
YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@gratefulnomads?si=XziKiruQuuTr6cNz
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/grateful.nomads/profilecard/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Comments
Post a Comment