Well in the last 5 weeks Kyle and I took our first vacation in 5 years which included two buying trips.  We no sooner got home from that trip (we didn’t even finish checking in all our awesome new stock) and we had to evacuate back to Florida to avoid Hurricane Florence.  While there we attended the first ever “Salt Therapy Association Conference” (which by the way was awesome). When the roads were finally reopened (a week later) we drove the 12 hours back home.  While in the car Kyle and I decided to do something to help our community and we came up with the idea to do a FREE SERVICES WEEKEND EVENT. Unfortunately, what we didn’t know was that our OWN SHOP was a victim of Ms. Florence.  So we arrived home after 12 hours of driving to find six of our rooms with water damaged. We worked late into the night (with the help of our wonderful landlord and my amazing friend Deb J) removing everything from the affected rooms.  We spent the next few days working non stop to get Spiritquest re-opened in time for our event. Yeah team!

While that was all going on the issues in our rental home were reaching a whole new level of “THAT IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE”.  I would go into detail but this is a blog not a novel! Let’s just say that when the water started leaking out of the ceiling I had officially reached my limit (and ps…the house issues had NOTHING to do with the hurricane).  So now we are moving again! I haven’t even gotten my office totally back after the water damage and now I have to pack an entire house. Oh and did I mention I am leaving for Colorado to work in like 2 weeks!

Why am I telling you all of this?  Honestly because I really think there are those moments in your life where you seriously want to throw your hands in the air and just scream at the top of your lungs.  Those moments when you are so tired you honestly don’t even know what day it is. Those moments when you really want to ask the Universe if there is someone else they can pick on (lol).  Yes, in my head I am VERY much aware that there are many people who have it a lot and I mean A LOT worse after the storm. However, does that make the things you are going through any less frustrating?  No! It just makes you feel bad that you are letting all the little and medium things get to you! But then you go and FEED A GIRAFFE! See you thought I forgot….

While we were hiding out in Florida waiting for Ms. Florence to pass  (the hurricane for those of you who are not following) we decided to go and do something fun.  And may I just digress for a moment and say…does anyone else see how insane it is that thousands of people from North Carolina fled to FLORIDA to AVOID a hurricane?  Honestly, it is like up is down and down is up. But I digress. So we decide to go to a drive through Safari. OMG it was so much fun! And let me tell you when I found out I could FEED A GIRAFFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I was beyond excited!

I cannot even explain in words what it was like to stand face to face with this giant gentle animal.  There was something magical and beyond Spiritual about it. I  have thought about that beautiful Giraffe everyday!  And I have already made it very clear that when I return to Florida in a couple of months….Giraffe feeding is on the agenda! It is amazing how in total chaos and I mean chaos you can find that one moment that just makes your soul smile.  I made a choice to hold on to that powerful moment!

I want to encourage all of you that no matter what you have on your plate (no matter how big or how small) look for those little moments!  Hold on to them! Cherish them! Those are the moments that will get you through! I want to encourage you to NOT compare your journey (good or bad) with the journey of others.  Do not judge yourself! Yes, others may have it worse but that doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to be upset or hurt or to process what you are going through. Yes, others may have it a lot easier than you but that doesn’t mean you are doing something wrong!  Remember, no matter what find your moment!

Now for all of you who are going…wait…what does the Giraffe mean?  Well I am glad you asked. Funny thing is I honestly didn’t look it up until I was typing this blog!  See why I love you guys! I knew someone would ask me so I decided to go ahead and look it up and include the meaning in this blog.  AND…Oh my! How amazing! So here you go. This is the meaning of the Giraffe (according to the “what’s your sign” website):

The giraffe often makes an appearance when we need a little reminder that we are all fabulous beings with remarkable potential to rise ourselves up to a challenge. Furthermore, the giraffe demonstrates grace in striving. In other words, when the giraffe visits us, it’s often a message to strive through challenges while maintaining balance and grace.

The giraffe also reminds me of vision. Long-reaching, far-seeing kind of vision. It’s that long neck again. With its head lifted as high as the treetops it loves to snack on, the giraffe’s vision is a focused on the horizon. If the giraffe is your totem, I’m willing to bet you’re a natural visionary.

Most folks who feel an affinity for the giraffe will admit to having a knack for seeing future trends. Giraffe-people have an incredible ability to see into the future, or see the “big picture.” Furthermore, giraffe-people are experts at shifting resources and influencing events so that future outcomes they see are more fluid, and effective.