It's been too long

"Happiness does not come from any outside sources or people. Happiness comes from within."

This is where I'm at in my life. Tonight, I felt the impulse to start a blog and while I was researching blogs, I came across this blog that I started six years ago...SIX years ago, guys!! That's crazy. As I reminisced over where I was at then and who I am now, a wave of sadness washed over me. I had such a zest and appreciation for life. I loved my enthusiasm and fearlessness I had towards the unknown and I so badly yearn for that kind of mentality and energy to awaken again. I know it's within me. I have glimpses of it, but I can't wait to really feel and live my life with that kind of perspective again.

I just started therapy a couple of weeks ago and a lot of old stuff has resurfaced in ways I could never imagine. I'm really excited for what's to come because for the first time in my life, I am really taking care of myself and starting from within. It's funny how I've always read quotes about happiness and how it's an inside job, but those quotes never fully resonated with me until now because NOW,  I am actually putting into practice and experiencing it.

I wish I had kept up with my blogging while I was in Hong Kong, but life and learning how to SURVIVE really took over and here I am now. Boy, was I right in how that trip not only propelled my career but also, allowed for such personal growth. Till this day, thinking about how I made it through my Hong Kong days still gives me strength, comfort and motivation.

I pushed my body to an unhealthy state to satisfy and meet the requirements of my agency in order for me to model. I was told right off the plane that I was "too fat" and that "maybe I retain too much water on flight" I learned what the phrase, "thick skin" meant and learned it fast. They handed me a map book and that's what I solely used to find castings because back then, there was no iPhone. Every week I went into the agency and was measured from the ankle up. Although, I lost weight and took off a couple inches it wasn't good enough and it led me to place of being malnourished and ill. My parents saw me dwindling away over Skype and demanded I come home and I did. With the help of the wonderful friends I made over there, they got me home and if it wasn't for those people around me I don't know where I would be.

When I arrived back in Los Angeles, I was bed ridden for nearly two weeks. I remember my mom crying at my bed side worried that she may loose me, but I came back to life AND life came back to me. After those two weeks, I felt like a NEW woman. The confidence I had coming back to Los Angeles was at an all time high. I knew that if I made it through my hardships in Hong Kong that nothing could stop me in LA and that's where my momentum started. I was living the dream; my dream. I became a full time model and had the opportunity to work with amazingly talented artists.

I'm still modeling here and there, but I'm in a place of transition. I know that I need to express myself because it's what I LOVE doing and it's also very healing to me. As to what form of expression since modeling has slowed down, I am yet to find out. But, I am excited and hopeful that I felt inspired to write tonight and I hope that I continue to blog. However, I am even more encouraged by the fact that I am looking within and doing the inner work. I know that my own happiness and abundance will follow. Good night.