“Sometimes the bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best things that will ever happen to us; As they say, if it does not challenge you, it will not change you.”
The end of 2017 feels less like the end of year and more like an end of a personal era in my life. This last year alone was defined by some of the largest, life-changing challenges I have faced to date:
👉 I ended what I thought would be a lifelong commitment and left my baby and passion project, The Movement Creative
👉 I released myself from an unhealthy and conditioned attachment to my ‘expected career path’ by leaving the architectural profession (and my job at Parks).
👉 I retired an out-of-date vision of my future life and left NYC.
I also came to terms with reality and ‘cleaned house’ by letting go of possessions, relationships, and projects that, while giving me something once, were ultimately compromising my happiness.
To be honest: The process was terrifying. The anxiety and stress felt around these decisions and actions compares to nothing I have otherwise experienced in life. I mean, I pulled away some of the largest stones in the foundation of who I was for the last 10 years, tearing down the world I had spent my life to date building and investing in. For lack of a better phrase, I was undoing ‘me’. And, while there was the part of me that knew this was the right next step, I constantly battled uncertainty and self-doubt.
However, as the dust settled, instead of losing my sense of self, I actually ended up finding real personal clarity. I’ve moved across the country and am now making a home in Seattle, I joined an organization that has real potential to make positive impact on peoples lives and aligns with my purpose, and I’ve found the next path forward in my life. I’ve been given opportunities to share my belief in the power of play and design to positively transform life, including travelling across the world, speaking at conferences and to crowds of mayors, building playgrounds and public art, and collaborating with incredible partners.
I understand better who, what, and where to invest my time, energy, and love in, and when and how to let go. I found my WHY, and am now happier than I have ever been in my life.
And none of this–NONE of it–would be possible without all the incredible human beings who continue to choose to be apart of my life. Though I feel an incredible amount of gratitude, I don’t take time often enough to thank everyone who contributes to me and my wellbeing.
So here goes…
🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
❤️ Foremost, I have to thank my family. I feel like I never fully understood the depth of unconditional love they have for me until this past year. When things fall apart, they are there first. As I faced some of my deepest shame and admitted all the ways I felt I failed in my life, they embraced and loved me nevertheless..and reminded me that my value as a person isn’t tied to what I do, where I live, or how much money I make. Their only expectation of me was to find and live my happiness. This realization freed me from something I didn’t know was holding me back. Knowing they will be there no matter where my path leads, (and that dinner will always be on Sundays,) gives me the courage to go.
Megan Aileen Samantha Pontrella Vinny James + Dad, mom, and all my aunts, uncles, and cousins (tagged below)
❤️ And, as many experience, not all family is blood. I’m grateful to count a second family. You took my side, stood up and advocated for me, regularly reminded me of the person I want to be when I struggled to remember, and put up with me when I fell short of being my best self. Late night calls and coffees, wednesday jumps, city explorations, soulcycles, last minute trips, and more. Without you, my day to day would be dull and my personal growth but a shade of whats been achieved.
Steve Lee Ung Melanie Hunt Fiona Leslie Steve Zavitz Romna BegumThomas Dolan Mike Araujo Sha Mualimm-Ak Sam Pee Nikkie ZanevskyDanielle Hare
❤️ Finally, I have to thank my world-wide network of relationships: friends, professionals, mentors, and partners past present future, who gift me with a sounding board when I have problems to solve and a bed when visiting, engage in provocative conversation, keep me modest through critique and laughter, and inspire me to constantly raise higher each year my standards of excellence, professionalism, and kindness. Where my family helps me stay connected to my sense of self, you all help me stay connected to my sense of purpose and work with me to achieve it.
The Art of Retreat – Womens Gathering – USPKA committee
Movement Game Library – Citylab connections – USPlay connections
Studio Madefor
Alan Bao Tran Adam McClellan Andy Keller Darryl Milton
Mark Toorock Blake Blaké Evitt Amos Galileo Rendao Michael Frosti ZernowVanya Procopovich
Natalie Strasser Natalia LaPré Boltukhova Alyssa Serpa
(and SO MANY MORE… I’ve ran out of tags, but I’ll drop you all in to the comments…)
❤️ Also quick thank you to all in Seattle who have gone out of their way to make me feel welcome; I can’t wait to see what we will create here!: Zachary Cohn Lauryl Sumner Zenobi Eric Jusino Beth Jusino Brandee Laird Colin MacDonald Aristoteli Zherdi Justin Sweeney Bryan Riggins Filip TuhyArkady Ivanovich Svidrigailov Juliet Barber Vong
WRAP UP
I’m going to wrap this era up, (and this post), in some inspirational and powerful way… I hope. So, in return for challenging me to be my best self, I promise to challenge all of you in the same way now and into the future. And, though this might be a little silly, I am going to start this pledge now by sharing the three most important bits of advice I received from others this year:
1️⃣ You need to take risks. shake things up. do the uncomfortable–especially when you know its right. You won’t always ‘win’ but damn, its better to fail than to fall complacent.
2️⃣ Be kind to yourself, be vulnerable with others, and let yourself let go of the things that cause you saddness or shame–it’s stopping you from showing up today and writing the story you want.
3️⃣ Last, since this status is all about the importance of PEOPLE & COMMUNITY… let’s finish with the lesson that was hardest for me to learn: Stop putting up with people in your life who drain you! Stop waiting for people to come back, to change, to give a damn! Instead, get into the company of people who celebrate you, who feed your soul. Choose to be with those who chose you. If you aren’t sure who they are, look around: I have found that those who are worth investing your time, energy, and love in will show up, stand up, and stay in the ways that matter, (especially when it matters.).
So thank you everyone for showing up for me, standing up for me, and choosing to be apart of my journey. I am so very grateful and can’t wait to face new and incredible challenges in 2018 with your support and love!❤️