As I write this blog post, I feel emotional, inspired, and excited. I felt compelled this morning to look at the past with gratitude as I turn the page and welcome a new phase – a new beginning.

I reflected today on the last eight years of my life, which I believe were life altering – have you ever felt like you just kept hitting road blocks until, finally, you chose to surrender and see another way? Well, that's kind of what it was like, but over and over again in all facets of my life, as though the universe was telling me I needed a life overhaul. And, well, I did. And today, I can proudly say that I am a changed person, starting a new life, in the direction of 'I have no idea, but it's going to be great' and wow, am I ever excited.

This very challenging time in my life gave me an opportunity to heal deep inner wounds; to become more compassionate towards myself and others; to live open heartedly; to stop judging myself so much and open to the fullness of being; to grow, transform and awaken in me abilities I never thought I had... and the evolution continues.

Perhaps I felt the need to share this with you today because I see and feel many are struggling, looking for that small crack of light, that hope. Some are in constant search for that something that will light their inner spark. Others are feeling incomplete and don't quite know why. Some have lost that feeling of joy and are desperately looking to find it again.

Beyond the darkness, there is so much light and beauty, I can't even begin to describe it; but, we have to be willing to do the work to get there. The good news is that we are all capable of getting there.

Doing the work means going within. It means consciously changing our perspective and behavior towards life and those within it, including ourselves. We're so hard on ourselves, which ultimately makes us hard on others, often leading to judgment.

Why not be patient with ourselves, why not give ourselves a chance, why not be more compassionate towards ourselves.

Life's challenges make us strong, resilient, brave; they lead us to become who we are meant to be, if we allow it.

It's important in life to be uncomfortable, to be with those unpleasant thoughts and feelings, even when its scary or hurtful – that's how we heal, it's how we grow and evolve. It's important to love ourselves in our imperfection, to own our choices, and to forgive ourselves and others.

“Loving ourselves through the process of owning our story is the bravest thing we’ll ever do” Brené Brown

I know, it's easier said than done; but when you make the conscious effort to evolve and become a better you, clarity eventually comes, leading you to things you may never have imagined for yourself.

My life's challenges forced me to open new doors, to seek new possibilities; they unleashed a newfound excitement within me, leading me to see a whole new meaning of what life represents, and led me to an absolutely wonderful change in my life’s purpose, which fills my heart with joy and passion everyday.

Over those eight years, I learned to be strong and feel comfortable in the discomfort, I learned the importance of gratitude, I learned to be here and now, and most importantly, I learned to trust in life and the lessons we are meant to learn, because they do ultimately lead us to inner peace.

“When you replace “why is this happening to me” with “what is this trying to teach me?”, everything shifts” Anne Dennish

I know this sounds corny to many… it probably sounds too good to be true to others, but those of you who have experienced something traumatic, a loss, or some kind of emotional pain may have had the opportunity in life to be forced to look within, to heal, to search for deep genuine happiness, which ultimately led to a new way of life.

There’s a reason for absolutely everything that happens to us and everyone we meet. There’s a bigger plan, a bigger picture. It’s all about perspective. When we allow ourselves to see the blessing, to see the positive in something or someone, to begin each day with gratitude, we begin to experience miracles. Every act of kindness, positive thought or feeling has a ripple effect.

The more I find myself walking on the right path in life in all of its facets, the more I know myself and what’s important and meaningful to me, the more genuine joy and passion I feel from within, the more positivity and kindness come naturally to me without effort, and the better the outcomes have turned out for me in life.

“Whatever makes your soul happy, do that” unknown

When you begin allowing your life to be led by that which makes you happy on a deep level, amazing things start to happen, but sometimes getting there requires a bit of courage. It's time we stop identifying with a false and limiting sense of self.

“The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek” Joseph Campbell

I felt a strong desire to write this blog post today, partly for my own healing, to close one door for another to open; but also to gather up the courage to share myself deeply with others, to be vulnerable, with the hope to encourage people to celebrate their imperfections and their struggles, to be compassionate towards themselves and to open up to the possibilities, to see the light.

So here's to new beginnings, courage, change, transformation, love and genuine joy from within.

“Let today be the day you give up who you’ve been for who you can become” Hal Elrod