Smell the Roses.

We've all heard this expression once or twice in our lives. Heck, we've heard it a least a dozen times. But, how many of us can say that we've taken this advice & applied it to our lives? As human beings, I think it's mostly innate that we live busy lives. We get so caught up in our schedules & "having to do xyz" that we don't take a second to appreciate us just being in the moment.

During my adolescent years, I used to drive my sister crazy. I mean, I probably still drive her crazy, but it was much worse during those ages. We're four years apart with her being older, & she believed that I was "all over the place" & "unorganized." It's a little comical looking back at her frustration with me, but when I was living it, it was anything but. I couldn't tell you what we were arguing about during the time, but our mom broke it up by explaining to her that, "[your sister] just embraces the moment. She stops to smell the roses when she sees fit."

I've never agreed with a statement more.

See, we all have our battles. Mine happen to consist of mental illnesses. I truthfully hate that terminology because it holds such negative connotation, but that's what it is. I have what the world calls "mental illnesses." Now, I could decide to feel sorry for myself & be sad that I deal with conditions that affect my mood & how I feel or think, but I choose to wear my battle as a cape instead. I wouldn't say that it defines me in any way, shape or form. But, I will say that it is a huge part of who I am, & I have no shame in admitting it.

I say that to say that I understand what it feels like to be at an all time low. I understand what it feels like to not see a light at the end of the tunnel. I understand what it feels like to feel alone in a room full of humans who love you.

which is why I stop & smell the roses.

I believe that when you experience hardship or have been through a tough time, you look at life through a different lens & become more appreciative for the little things. You take a second of your day to stop & live in the moment. You ignore the pressures of work & obligations. You put down your phone & step away from social media. You just simply be.

I said this in my previous blog post, but taking a second to catch your breath & breathe is a crucial component of life. Life does not wait for you to be ready. It doesn't ask you if this is a good time to move on. It just is & does when It sees fit. So, if this is the case, why not stop & be in the now?

With summer quickly approaching & if you're lucky, downtime increasing, I challenge you to put your phone down, close your laptop, & enjoy the moments that are unfolding in front of you. The beauty of life is that you cannot relive the same moment twice. One of the uglier parts of life is that you cannot relive the same moment twice. It's a double-edged sword. So, with that being said, take a moment & be present. Let the sun kiss your face, let your eyes see the beauty of freedom around you, let your heart do backflips because you're experiencing some of the best moments of your life.

Stop & Smell the Roses.

Give yourself time to enjoy the day. Allow yourself the opportunity to be present--fully present without distractions. Let go, even for a second, of the anxiety that harbors within you. Breathe & allow the wonders of life to fill your vicinity.

If you let a moment pass you, you will never get it back & wonder what it could have been. Don't live a life of "what if's" when you can be living life now.

Smell the Roses. Even if you're running late...smell them.

May your day be ever filled with love, light, and of course, an abundance of chicken tenders💜🌻✨

Cheyenne Pajardo