When I first started this, I intended on creating a space for some sort of inspiration and frequent pick me ups. 

But 5 posts in.. and about 12 unpublished drafts later.. I’ve been asking myself what can I share that would be unique and powerful. How can I write something new, something unsaid yet insightful… in a world full of bloggers and writers, what do I have to say that hasn’t been touched upon by every other blissful, motivational, yoga-loving, spiritual seeking leader. 

And a year of self inquiry later.. I’ve realized that well, if I don’t ever put anything I write up for people to see, it’s quite an impossible task period.

My writing won’t be perfect, the advice may not be sound, it might not be inspirational at all but its not doing anything sitting as a draft. So here we go…

What I’ve come to realize is that where I find my greatest inspiration is from the people in my life. My hope lives not in motivational quotes or videos or self-help books… rather in my Friends. My Family. My Teammates. My Mentors. My Co-workers. My Teachers. My Students. Even random acquaintances. Every human being I’ve connected with in one way or another has eternally shaped who I am as a person, and continues to inspire my beliefs and my dreams. And well each of these persons are unique and insightful and unlike any other person in this world…

The end of this school year, for me and many others, is unlike any before. It comes a bit too soon, daunting with the unknown. Every year leading up to now has come with the security blanket of another year of school, that come August I would be walking the familiar grounds of campus in the city I truly have come to call home, hugging familiar faces as I walk around the lake and past the RAT. And yet, now as everyone asks, what my plans are post graduation in May, I answer, “Honestly, no idea. I want to travel, backpack through exotic countries and be open to what opens up.” [Sidenote: My parents are pretty scared that I am becoming a hippie.] And while I have been telling everyone else for years that not knowing is completely okay, and to travel while you’re young, and that it all will unfold in due time… (something I believe 100%…) now that it is my turn, a voice that I’ve managed to quiet for quite some time now sneaks up and whispers its dirty, relentless shivers of self doubt filling myself with anxiety, the part of me that likes having a set plan and end goal… questioning my desire for security and stability vs. risk and adventure.

Fortunately, when these voices of fear pop up I have some pretty incredible people in my life to help shut them up…

So I want dedicate this post to one of these people, someone who has challenged me, grown me, eternally given me hope and shown me extraordinary love, Marissa Aron.

It was love at first dance class. From randomly going to take Glenn’s kick-ass (literally kicked my ass), split loving, fierce class to deciding to audition for KAOS… to celebrating making KAOS (before they formally announced it, thanks Jesse Rey for the spoiler) with wheat thins (apparently our happy food from the very beginning) and Nutella, while watching Centerstage with Hogan in the Stanford Classroom.. who knew back then that we would grow to be well inseparable.

You know me inside out babe.

No judgment is passed when we have dinner before a movie, stop off at the candy store before the movie (ritual) and then opt for fro-yo or a giant flour-less gluten free cookie afterwards (or at least I opt for the cookie)…

From boxing in the ring… to pushing the sled (and suffering PTSD haha) to sweating balls in yoga…

From checking things off the #Bucketlist… like LIV on Sunday (before an 8 am Final exam)… or making sure I finish my Thesis post LIV on Wednesday… (a result of reinforcing that going out on these particular nights was of course a great-bad idea!… which well they totally were worth it.)

to the unforgettable night/morning at Nikki Beach… to all the things we said we’d never do on the life-guard stand…

to our last DPhiE formal… to pretending like we have little to no dance training in Guy’s class… to dropping splits in skates…

From the hours spent in the car outside Red Road talking… to pool days… to beach days… to lazy lay on the couch and vegetate days… to dance days…to watching Bobby Newberry video days… to working mitzvah days… to driving me around when my car battery decides to die in the middle of hell week days…

I couldn’t imagine having shared all of these moments and so many more with anyone else.

You have made me a stronger person, helped to give me a backbone. You’ve inspired me every day by your passion and drive… your confidence and commitment to what you believe is right, your fearlessness in standing up for yourself, your vision for your life… your selflessness and love… your ability to make me believe in the beauty of my dreams… your support to work for these dreams when I needed it most…

As we sat watching the sunrise the other day… I fought tears thinking about how I’m not going to have you around to make great-bad decisions with, to go see midnight movies with, to have endless talks about life… and boys… and dreams… but then felt a strange calm because while we might not be able to make these moments happen as often as we’d like in a week from now… we’ll make sure they do happen… and I am so beyond grateful for every moment we’ve shared up till now… all of the adventures.. every second. You are a forever friend mama. Distance is but miles… nothing our friendship can’t handle.

I know that you’re going to do amazing in Baltimore. I’m so so so proud of you for taking a leap of faith into the unknown and out of your comfort zone. You are going to love PT school and Baltimore and I am so excited for all the people you are going to meet and touch because you are truly truly truly a gift of a person and you are going to inspire them indescribably like you have me.

And of course, no matter what I’ll always be here. I’m a phone call away… no matter how big or small the panic attack… I’ll be here to help you breathe.

Live & love fearlessly,

-Julianne