One of those days that just tests you

Ever come home and literally crash onto the couch because you just feel the day has drained everything out of you? All energy, hope, passion, and motivation? Obviously I am experiencing that at the moment. I think that many people can relate when I say that when you get an idea in your head and find the motivation and courage to go after, only to have every attempt fall in on itself, it is one of the most devastating feelings. It causes you to second-guess yourself. Causes you to think, "Well, if it is this hard, maybe I am just not meant to do it." I'll admit.. it happens. The thoughts do come into my mind. And they do stay there and pester me. The hopelessness and fear strangles me and I sit here wondering if I am ever going to breathe again.

And then I just take a deep breath. I think about everything that happened today, and yes, nothing went exactly the way I wanted, but there is one accomplishment: I got through it. I survived the day. I got one step closer to where I am going. A small step, maybe, but a step none the less. And guess what.. tomorrow is another day and another step.

If you can accept one thing early on to make your life so much easier, you such accept that life does not happen on your time. You can sit down and make up a very detailed itinerary of how you would like to next year, month, or week to go and God (or the universe, whatever you choose to believe) is going to simply laugh at you. We do not control the things that happen to us. We only control what we do about it. How we react to it and how we let it affect us. So guess what that means.. YOU are in control of your happiness! Don't like something? Change it. Don't like the view out your window? Move. It won't be easy and it sure as hell won't happen overnight, but you can dig down and make the decision. Then you just have to stick to it.

That is where we are at right now. The sticking to it stage. And let me tell you, it sucks. It's uncertain and frustrating. But there's a light somewhere at the end of the tunnel. And until I get there, I'll just concentrate on letting my eyes adjust to the darkness.

Let's get started

We've been thinking about this for a while; picking up and moving. We easily decided on Nashville as our first stop. All it took was a car ride and a long discussion and we were on the same page.

I don't want to you think this is easy. It isn't. It hasn't been. It won't be. We're prepared for the reality of this not working out, but that will be our final choice... IF it ever comes to that.

So, this is where we begin:

I'm 23; a graduate of THE Auburn University. I majored in Art which wasn't the most economically sound decision in the world but, it was MY decision. As it is, I am also a part of the small southern rowing world. A talent that will pay the bills and keep me fed while I try to make art. You'll see no starving artist here.
Stephany and I met in the summer of 2009, a summer that would be more important than we thought at the time, and when she asked me to move in with her after i graduated, I only thought that it would be a way for me to not have to worry about moving home after 5 years of being on my own. What it turned into, is why we're here now.

Come back and keep up with our progress in the pursuit of Freedom.

Taylor

Here it begins

I guess I should begin with explaining how we want our blog to work. Taylor and I (Stephany) have known each other since high school. When we think of the best time of our life, it goes back to the summer of 2009 when we were surrounded by the best friends we have ever known. That summer was filled with so much laughter, pictures, memories, and happiness. All things that money can't buy and time can't erase. But when fall came, it was like our lives turned completely around. I was separated from the best people I have ever known and I went down a path I though I was ready for. I thought it was what would make me happy. But I can say from first-hand experience, placing your happiness in the hands of another person is setting yourself up for failure. You must take responsibility of your own happiness. This is your life and God gave it to you because you are strong enough to live it. No, it won't be easy. No, you won't always be smiling. But you are never alone. I do not regret my past or anyone in it. Every single second taught me something and I am grateful for all that I have experienced so far. But now I am in the position that I must take control of my life on my own. I was kind of shoved into this position, and I did honestly fight it at first, but I feel I am now strong enough to live how I want. I want to go back to the person I was in that wonderful summer of '09. Where I was in awe of everything around me and everyone I was blessed to share my time with. Thankfully, Taylor will be accompanying on this journey to keep me focused on that goal.

We will both be posting to this blog separately so readers will be able to see our different perspectives and how our experiences affect us. We are alike in many ways, but we are also each our own person and we want anyone reading this to understand that it doesn't take one specific kind of person to live a life like this. We want anyone and everyone to understand that if you want something badly enough, there is always a way to get it. You have to reach down deep and find the strength the chase it. You have to believe in yourself when no one else will. You have to be your own hero sometimes. Taylor and I have found our strength to fight for a life worth living and we pray that we may inspire others to do the same. For anyone who sat and wondered, "How do I do this? Where do I start?" we hope to give you some answers.