5 life giving lessons I learned from an Iguana in South Miami Beach

I remember quite vividly what it felt like.  I was super uncomfortable in my body and quite frankly, my life.  I had become a mom for the second time and was exhausted all the way down to my core.  I didn’t feel like I had one more thing to give.  

Looking back, it didn’t happen overnight.   It was a cumulative exhaustion.  As a business owner, wife, mom to two little boys, life was pretty busy and somehow taking care of me was the easiest thing to put at the bottom of the list.  And as full as our days are….the things at the bottom of the list tend to suffer.  I was suffering.                                           

Fast forward here I am six years later, sitting around a pool steps away from the beautiful beach of South Miami Beach. I’ve made a lot of changes over the years. I’ve put in place habits and rituals that serve me. I move my body with so much intention and joy. I’m not merely surviving but am thriving. I now have energy to take care of me and give to other out of my abundance. The kids are now at ages where they need me less and less for more hands on types of things. They are gleefully splashing in the warm water while it is twenty-three degrees and snowing back home in Denver. It’s pretty blissful and a strong stark contrast to my days of pure exhaustion.

 Then I heard the squeals...”Mom, LOOOOOK!!”

And time seemed to stand still a bit. I was mesmerized by the striking appearance of this, unfamiliar to me, creature. I’m not sure where it appeared from but I was awe struck.

 I saw so much more than an Iguana taking a stroll by the pool on a warm February day. In a flash second, I felt completely taken by this mystical creature. I think it was because some aspects of it felt so familiar. In some ways and through a lot of focused efforts I could now relate to it. I think it took my breath away because it embodied so many aspects I was after in my health and wellness journey. And there it was staring back at me in the form of a spiky little green thing.

It was taking a risk strolling out in a space full of unfamiliar people. It was claiming its place in the sun. It was confident knowing what it was out to do and was on a mission to get it done. It seemed un-wavered by all the attention that was brought about by its presence. It knew it belonged. 

Yes, yes there is something of complete substance that is serving me in this living out this art, the art of fulfillment.

I knew it in my head but in that moment I felt it in my heart.

In that moment of connecting with Iguana, I learned that it is worth the risk, it feels good to be in the sun, differences are to be celebrated, confidence is contagious, and belonging is possible.

I tell you this story because I know you can write one just as beautiful.

Are you curious what “living the art of fulfillment” looks like for you? 

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See ya in there!