🌳 “Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.”
I have been doing a lot of reflection as we approach the end of another decade. I just spent a good amount of time listing out every accomplishment (and failure or crap 💩 situation but we won’t dwell on those) for the last 10 years.
It honestly felt SO good and calmed my anxiety about not doing enough, fast enough (because this high speed train of life is only accelerating — and that FREAKS me out).
Numbers are something that have always helped ground me and make things feel tangible and real. The following is not intended to brag but I urge you to go back and write out what you’ve accomplished each year! I feel like I blink and years have passed SO QUICKLY but it’s calming to see how much has actually been accomplished.
After reviewing my list, in no particular order:
2010-2019:
• Traveled to 14 new countries 🗺
• Dozens of road trips and trips in the USA 🇺🇸
• Graduated college / Bachelors Degree 🎓
• Married my best friend 💍 @scott.mclamb
• Volunteered for 2 organizations 💼
• Founded and grew a successful business 👩👧👦
• Impacted the lives of 300+ families
• Founded a second business 👩🏻💻
• Bought a house 🏡
• Climbed 5.12 outside for the first time
• Started Mountain Biking 🚵🏻♀️
Of course a lot of crappy stuff happened, too. But like this Angel Oak tree nestled deep in the Southern US — I will continue to persist — I could not have accomplished everything above if I gave up easily and didn’t work so freaking hard for it, I guess it helps to be stubborn, too. I am also the first to admit how much help and emotional support I’ve had from my parents, husband, and friends.
🍁The Angel Oak tree is believed to be 400 years old, and possibly the oldest living thing East of the Mississippi River. It has withstood hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, pests 🐛, humans, drought, and more. This adversity may have slowed its growth, but it’s patience and persistence is CLEARLY well worth it. Life lessons from a tree.
travel guides 