It’s officially one week since I have been living in my new city.

This city is familiar to me because I called it home for over 20 years of my life. Now that I am back and have full self-awareness, I look at the city with new eyes. The excitement that I had to explore Los Angeles, when I first moved 7.5 years ago, is the excitement I have to explore my home town.

There is so much old and new to explore. I wonder to what extent I may have over looked aspects of this city for it’s beauty when I was younger.

Going back to my parents home has meant that I have been cleaning out relics from my childhood, high school, college and film school years and my Los Angeles life. I am in a space of reflection on who I was and redefining who I am.

In Western culture, we are often defined by what we do, not who we are.

Often there is no space for us to be who we are, and we spend all our time trying to become something, which is often something that we are not.

Once we have exhausted ourselves, we find home within ourself and walk with pride from that space.

My life is poetry and this time of my life is precious. I do not take it for granted. Beautiful things keep coming to me and I know deep down, it’s because I am exactly where I am meant to be.

I’m in a space so many people long for, but the risk of stepping away from the life that they know is too high. I am in awe with the woman I am for her strength, courage and wisdom. I am thankful that I have given myself space to be. This is a space I always wanted others to provide me. When others deny you, create the space that you need for you.

From this awareness, I am guided to lead and build individuals as community so we can be perfectly imperfect together and heal ourselves in ways that we each long for and need. With this heart, the people who need to be in my presence and vice versa are finding their way to me.

I am humbled to be on this journey and thankful I understand the universe’s language.

With Love,

Stephanie

P.S. In what ways do you need to define or re-define yourself? Or, whom has defined you and why have you given them so much power?