along for the ride. 🦋
~~~~~~••~~~~~~••~~~~~~
Feels like one of my biggest challenges in this lifetime is to let go of control. Oh and self acceptance. Oh and perfectionism. But hey, these all go hand in hand. Just trying to be a better me, ya know?? Anyway, we all came here to learn- I’ve been in the deep end of deepening my relationship with my body and it has been ... well ... . layers and layers of learning and trusting and loving. And this pregnancy journey feels like icing on the cake!! I’m just going with the flow and enjoying the ride. LOVING the freedom and ease that comes along with trusting that your body knows exactly what to do as long as you nourish and love it! And move. Bodies like to move. 💃🏻 #bodylove#hereiam #pregnancydiary

I love this. BUT these words can also be my poison.

Here are some rambles for my inner critic and my fellow recovering perfectionists who strive so hard to meet those grand, beautiful expectations- YOU ARE ENOUGH. We are enough. Just simply being and showing up and trying is enough. We live under tremendous pressure these days- To be better, to achieve, to please, to fit in, to stand out, to be strong while being vulnerable. We are even pressured to live in the moment. It's so damn overwhelming and confusing.

Ahhhh, how does a regular ole gal do it? It just doesn't seem possible.

I want to be "all the things" all of the time. Enough is never enough for this inner achiever! We must push and push until we get to the destination. We have the grit and determination, right? Haha, until we burnout, have a panic attack and find ourselves eating too much pizza asking ourselves if we will ever be enough. We must remember to quiet that little ambitious voice from time to time and be proud of the days work.

We have to stop doing this to each other, folks. Demanding more from one another, whatever that may be. I've recently become aware of how much I expect of my family, friends and even strangers. I'm constantly being the food police with my family. "Mom, you didn't buy organic...." and always over criticizing my friends' creative projects. "Ehhh ... it could be better if you made this adjustment". It comes from a place of love, but lacking grace and compassion. Maybe, Mom didn't buy all organic this time but she did make sure there were a plethora of fruits and veggies. And yeah the little tweak to the website could have made a difference but was it really worth killing the mood of an excited finished project? We have to meet each other in the middle & expand our awareness to see how hard we are all trying.

Next time you catch yourself thinking about how it/he/she could be better, different or anything other than what is, just shoot love beams from your being. Let's see what happens. 💛more love, less fuss. 💛

practice round- (boyfriend wearing all black...again) Does this look ok? Me: I love love love love love love love it!!! ❤️❤️ (insert sound effects off love beams) ⚡️⚡️⚡️

My insides must look something like this. A playground with wild plants and helping spirits. 💛

When I took on the name "Dandelion" during my journey on the Appalachian Trail, I had no idea how much it would honor and reflect my soul personality.

<<<>>>Wild, Full of Wonder, Nostalgic, a friend of the wind, a symbol of Determination and Hope. <<<>>>

I've learned that Dandelions are one of the Great Creator's way of guiding us back to a place of faith. When I think about how the seeds of one plant can scatter and produce new life, peace washes over me. If little me was created with sooooo many big ideas and fascinations, it must be for a reason. I just have have to wait on the wind to guide them. Thanks to Dandelion for keeping my spirits high and for our most recent encounters on Mount Pisgah. So much yellow, happy, sunny solar plexus vibes, y'all!!! Thanks @kontomble_medicine for sharing this image.

I feel like an introduction must take place before we get into the deep stuff.

So hello! I’m Amber. Let’s see if we are possible soul mates.

Some of my all-time favorite things (in no particular order):

1. talks with God through nature
2. ripe strawberries
3. personality tests (this one was a game changer)
4. intimacy and deep conversations- no small talk here
5. crescent moons
6. merlot
7. fresh cut wild flowers
8. rainbows
9. watching my kitten jump/fall off of things
10. dream journaling with a cup of hot tea
11. spontaneous sex with my Leo
12. this song
13. old bookstores
14. Henry David Thoreau
15. naked river baths
16. my friend Brittany’s laugh
17. remote areas in southern Utah
18. love stories (especially mine)
19. dancing with women
20. pretty much everything about being a women (even my cycle . . . gasp!)
21. this app
22. moving water
23. song birds- especially the ones habitating at high altitude in Maine
24. creating self care rituals
25. lavender baths
26. Instagram
27. coffee shops
28. the community and culture surrounding the Appalachian Trail
29. candles
30. being a sister
31. the wisdom I’ve gained from owning a business
32. Disney movies

I grew up in a small town in Sevier County, TN- hiking the Smokies, jumping in rivers, and cheering on the local football team. Now I live Asheville, NC with my boyfriend, dog and kitty. We live a wonder-full life with fresh food, art and lots of stand up comedy. I feel fortunate to be walking on Earth with all of you. It’s an exciting time here! I’m currently apprenticing with a local energy healer and studying many modalities that I think will be very useful to those going through life transitions. My passion to work with young women led me here!

I am excited to share more and hopefully get to connect with those of you out there that are riding the same wave. I’ll leave you with this quote from e.e. cummings that always inspires me when I am starting out on new ventures.

“To be nobody but yourself – in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you like everybody else – means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight – and never stop fighting. – e.e. cummings

Keep being you! I’m with ya all the way.

beaming love your way ~

Amber