https://www.myliferetreats.com/blog/your-path-was-never-meant-to-look-like-theirs

last night just standing there with a sign. It was becoming a new version of myself. I see amazing reels all over social media and I always want to do something different and leave a impact of people! The start of the day felt as if part of me wanted to do it and part said no! the every was building all day. The nerves, the hesitation, the back and forth in my mind. I kept myself busy Even when I got there, I could feel it as i was setting up. Organizing the shirts. Posting pictures on social media so people could come find m but also stalling just enough to not fully step into it yet then when i asked my friend to take a photo of me holding my huge sign there was no more waiting. As I held up the sign, not even fully ready, and someone came up for a hug right away. That moment pushed me in after that it just flowed. People started coming in waves. Families, couples, groups. Sometimes everyone hugged me, sometimes just one person. Sometimes quick, sometimes longer. Every single one felt different. There were kids running up without thinking. There were adults who paused, smiled, thought about it, and then some chose to step in to a hug. There were people who came back again. I could hear many people read the sign outload and even that felt great. I was noticed I am having a impact and the energy of that was felt. There was one little boy who dropped his bike just to hug me another tiny one, maybe two years old, who didn’t even know what the sign said but still came over. I noticed so many people who wanted to but did not. I could see it in their eyes. The curiosity, the pull, the hesitation and I understood that deeply, because that used to be me. I would have been the one walking by even if i truly wanted to be part of it, but not stepping in to what my soul was feeling and needing. That realization hit me hard at one point. Because now… I was the one standing there. something else really stood out to me so many young boys came right up without hesitation. Some of the young girls were more unsure, more reserved and I was honestly surprised at how many men chose to step forward too even when they were with others. it showed me how much people are craving connection, even if it looks different for everyone.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone who is just starting their pause journey?

What kind of world would you like to live in?

In one word, what is your gift to the world?