wise words

for whatever reason,
(i'm sure there is one. there always is.)

lately i've been running into lots of wonderful quotations by

elisabeth kubler-ross.

in reading about her, i have found what an incredible gift she was to us; she was a psychiatrist, author (on death and dying), & activist who received 20 honorary degrees in her lifetime, and created psychiatric models we still use to this day.

at her core, though, she truly just wanted to help people.

to navigate the unknown in regards to death, and to help those of us left in this world to work through our pain 

after a loved one passes on. 

she passed away in 2004, but

some of her quotes are really hitting home with me lately.

i've been feeling so grateful for finally being here in california as a whole family (my husband was living here for 5 months before we were able to join...it was tough!), and absolutely loving spending our days discovering the outdoor beauty that surrounds us. 

inevitably, though, this feeling of utter happiness and peace is often accompanied by a doubtful anxiety; "just when is the other shoe going to drop?"

i don't mean to sound sullen, its not my nature; having kids has just made me ever more aware of my own mortality, and helped me focus on living my best life every day while i'm here.  

so.

here's to pulling an oprah and "living our best lives". 

because they're the only ones we've got!

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

"People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in their true beauty is revealed only if there is light from within."

hope you have a beautiful day.

i'm taking the fam to meet up with some friends for foodtruck night in santa monica. last week was deliciously fun; i'll be sure to post pics! 

xo

(all photos via pinterest)