Since I started this blog and purchased this domain name, I knew I wanted the title of my blog to be both reflective of who I am, but also aspirational. I want this blog to define me, personally, and how I got to where I am. But I also know that the journey is never over. There is always another path, more road that unfolds ahead, more lessons to learn, and more stories to tell.
But I also hope that you can figure out your own version of a fiercely beautiful life. You get to define your life on your own terms. You get to be your own brand of fierce and beautiful.
To me, living a fiercely beautiful life means staying true to my values. And fighting for them, committing, every day, to be the person I know that I am.
It means being conscious of the impact I’m having on the world. Being a good, kind person to everyone I meet. Reducing my environmental impact, recycling whatever I can, choosing products that are eco-friendly when possible.
It is the whole family gathering for holidays, all coming home, healthy and happy. It’s falling right back into the patterns I grew up in and loved. The smiles I get across the dinner table, as we catch up on each other’s lives.
It’s making hard choices, to forego instant gratification now in favor of a better, happier life later. Deciding to save money and spend it on experiences. Choosing to spend money on real priorities, not just filling a home with stuff.
It is the feeling of the ice cold water at the start of swim practice, my hand hitting the wall after a sprint set, my lungs burning, gasping, but I feel strong.
It is that final rep on the squat rack, when my legs are shaking and burning, the groan is threatening to escape through my gritted teeth, and I finally push through those last few inches.
It is emerging from the depths of my novel, looking up over the book at my husband across the couch from me.
It is falling asleep on a beach, as the sun kisses my tanned skin and the rolling waves sing me a lullaby.
It is walking out of an interview knowing that I nailed it, that this job is the perfect culmination of my innate talent and everything that I’ve been working toward thus far.
It’s a walk in the park with my dog when the leaves are turning crisp and colorful and the setting sun is throwing hues of pink and purple across the sky.
It’s a cold beer on a hot summer day and a glass of wine in front of a crackling fire.
It’s laughing so hard that tears are rolling down my face.
It’s the smiles of your friends around the board game at the kitchen table as we munch on such delicacies as cheese and pretzels.
To live a fiercely beautiful life is to choose passion and love and friendship. It’s choosing to see the good in all that you do. It’s choosing to live a life with more meaning. A life that’s so full, it’s fit to burst. A life that brings tears to your eyes when you look back at where you came from because every step was filled with purpose.
To live a fiercely beautiful life is to find joy, to be kind, to hope, to love, to laugh, to inspire.