Have you been feeling like the wind has gone out of your sails?  Has this pandemic emotional roller coaster gotten old? I don't know about you, dear one, but I have been scraping the bottom of my creative barrel and just aching for a vacation.

Last weekend I finally answered the ache and planned a day trip to visit Fire Island.  A dear friend was spending the week there and invited me to come.  Although it was my first visit to the island, I really didn't feel like I could take too much time off.  As most of you know, I am creating a lot of new things for my business and taking any time off felt like abandoning my new babies.  So with much trepidation, I took the plunge and cleared my Friday of appointments and off I went.

Fire Island is the center island of the thin Atlantic Ocean barrier islands across from the southern shore of Long Island, New York.  It is known for it's pristine beaches, tranquil atmosphere, and laid back lifestyle.  There are quite a few different communities, each with it's own unique character and vibe.  Cars are not allowed on the island during the summer so people get around either by walking or biking.  After the noise and hustle bustle of NYC, you really feel like you have entered another world.  Especially with the abundance of wild deer that roam freely.

I felt an immediate sense of calm and well-being as the ferry left the mainland and began to pick up speed.  The island was barely visible on the horizon and as we moved toward it, we hit a breaking wave and I got a splash of sea spray all over my face.  I giggled like a kid.  It was as though the sea was already teasing and playing with me.  

My darling friend was waiting for me on the dock with a smile (I should say...his eyes were smiling and I imagined his gorgeous smile behind his mask).  We hadn't seen each other since before lock down so it was such an amazing moment.  We had been texting back and forth since the beginning of the journey that morning.  In one of the texts, he asked if I had everything I needed for the beach.  My reply was, “I think so, but where did I put my beach body?” with a laughing emoji. His response was a sign that read, “ALL bodies are entitled to experience the pleasure they are capable of.”

We gathered our provisions and started our 20 minute walk to the beach.  The next heart-stopping moment was coming through the vegetation and suddenly breaking into the expanse of exquisite sea and sky as far as the eye could see.  I literally gasped and became immediately aware of how small my world had become since lock down.  Most of my time during lock down has been spent in my little apartment looking at this little box called a computer.

Now comes the part of going to the beach that has always put a bit of a wrench in things for me...stripping down to my bathing suit.  I know most of us have issues with this and usually I am so excited about being there I get over it pretty quickly but...you know.  But I remembered the text above and just kept it moving.  I had landed in the community of Fire Island called Cherry Grove which is predominantly gay.  So there were all body shapes, sizes and ages represented. AND...ahem...quite a few of the bodies were GORGEOUS NAKED MEN.  I quickly forgot all of my body issues and started to wonder if I had died and gone to heaven. 

The universe then kicked in when a mix up with the return ferry schedule combined with my soul in serious need of a vacation and I had to cancel the whole next day of clients.  It was so hard to do.  I never want to let my clients down and I really always want to show up for them.  After I made the big investment to stay not 1 but 2 nights, I realized something very important that I want to share with each of you.

YOU are the most important asset in your life.  YOU deserve the same amount of attention and honor that your clients do.  YOU are the best investment opportunity there is.  I often remind myself that when they go through the safety demonstration on the airplane, they say that parents should put their oxygen mask on first before they help their children.  It goes against all of our instincts. It seems selfish.  Now I understand this in a whole new way.  Investing in this vacation wasn't a luxury which is what stopped me before.  It is a huge investment in my brand.  Hahaha!  THAT'S ME!  I have returned full of energy, life force and inspiration.  I have replenished the expansion that lives within me so I can be MORE resourceful for my clients.  The proverbial creative barrel that I was scraping the bottom of is now overflowing with bounty.  I actually came back and created something 3 days later that won me triple the amount I spent on vacation.  

Hey y'all!!!  I went to Fire Island and got my fire back!!!!!

I invite you to pamper yourself today .  Give yourself some extra time to breathe.  Go to the beach, take a long bath, anoint your body with a love potion (honey works in a pinch), or whatever your soul tells you it needs.  And remember, even if you might have forgotten, I KNOW you're worth it.