It's already the last week of March and while in the Midwest for a funeral, we escaped the snowstorm that was coming in. My husband and I were sitting in the plane, waiting as they defrosted the outside of the aircraft, and I saw little specks of snow flurries coming in. Weatherman had said it was going to be about 8 to 10 inches and we had a very early flight, 6 in the morning to be exact. I was glad that we would miss the snowstorm and as the plane ascended, the snow flurries began to make its way to the earth. When we arrived in Memphis, the weather was sunny and the landscape of green welcomed us.
One of my older brothers asked me, “Being in the south makes it hard to come back to the Midwest. I should know because I spent a lot of time in the west coast and coming back to where the winter is harsh was not easy.” It’s so true. I had to rethink my wardrobe because I had dresses and realized it was going to be cold. Being in the Midwest for 40 years though, as much as I loved the snow, I needed a change of scenery. Being in the south has taken away my husband’s year-round allergies, his high blood pressure and his stress. That alone is one good reason why we’re staying here for a longer period. I’ve also had near accidents with snow on the highway and it left me triggered forever to drive in the snow. I remember that one year, five years ago, when Minnesota had a horrible blizzard and I was sent in to work. What was normally a 30-minute drive took me five hours to get home and I had 0 visibility. To this day, I’m not sure how I got home.
The place where we choose to live is a location that brings peace and healing to us. No matter where you are, if you are happy, then you are in the right place. I was asked that at my mother-in-law’s funeral. “Are you happy?” And I replied, “Yes, I’m very happy.” Sometimes finding yourself, your truth, and your purpose may lead you to be somewhere else for a bit, but it doesn’t mean you give up or give out on others. It simply means in order for you to help others, you have to help yourself first. Only then can you offer a hand when you are well because if your heart is not well, how can you give broken to someone who needs better?
I want you to remember this as we channel through life. A big mansion is not a representation of love nor is a fancy car. Recently, my husband and I went to visit The Kentucky Castle and learned about the historic story behind the giant princess like mansion. The couple who were so in love and had this grand idea divorced before the castle was ever finished. The man who designed it never even got to implement his ideas into life and the woman wants nothing to do with it. Today it stands a beautiful, haunting memory of what used to be and never got to be. If you chase material value, you will find yourself disappointed. If you chase fulfillment of the heart, you will find treasures. Be sure you know what you are chasing.