A Benediction From Denver

For the last few years I've stood at a crossroads with one path continuing on with a life in Denver and a new path leading to a life in LA. Life in Denver is about community, seasons, authenticity, mountains, and Americana. Life in LA is full of family, glamour, plastic, and palm trees.

I'll miss Denver deeply, with it's four beautiful seasons, Sundays in church at New Denver, and quick latte stops at Wash Perk turning into warm greetings from old friends evolving into long chats over hot mugs. 

Then there's life in LA with its unrestrained creativity and palm-tree lined streets and the Hollywood sign above my mom's house guiding me home. I've missed walking barefoot on the pool deck at night on ground still warm from the sun. I've missed green juiceries on every corner and hot sun every day. I miss weekend getaways. Within four hours you can escape to another world: shopping in Vegas, snowboarding in Big Bear, poolside in Palm Desert, or traipsing through one of the little beach boutiques that line the boardwalks. 

I knew it was time to go home when I'd fly in from weeks away, and I'd expect to de-plane and feel ocean air hit my face while city lights glowed against the night sky. Instead I'd feel the peaceful quiet of the plains outside Denver.

For some of us, we need to leave home only to come back for all the same reasons we left.

When I burned out on the production of LA -- the heat and hustle, the bump and grind -- I left Southern California to spread my wings. Six years later, there's nothing I want more than sitting in traffic with blinding sun beating into my windows on Sunset Blvd.

I know moving was the next step, if for no other reason than I'm back to writing real words here on Paper & Glam. Before planners and stickers, this space was words and images dedicated to learning to live well. Its time to get back to that place, the safe, quiet place of books and hearts spread open beside hot coffee and burning candles, amist the sound of keyboard keys clicking to form words writing another chapter of the story. 

As I sit here typing among boxes upon boxes, I'm scared to start over at 29, but sometimes it's good to be scared, it means what your living is real.

Please Remember: The story you are writing with your life is real. Make the most of this day, this page of your story and every one that comes next. Good stories aren't written without bold moves and moments grappling with the unknown. Make the move, jump off the edge, take the risk, make your story one we want to read.

To see a video of the move and a tour of my new apartment, press play!

To see a blog of my first week in LA, press play!

Last week the page turned and a new chapter in my story began here in Los Angeles, thank you for taking the time to read a page out of my story.

Gratefully,
Lisamarie

P.S. Who is ready for the release of Glamoween this weekend?!

Comments

[Wendy R]

Wow... this post made me cry. The last paragraph that starts with Remember... totally needed to hear that. Can't thank you enough for always being so willing to share a bit of your life with us. Wish you so many blessings and success in LA!

[Guadalupe]

I just want to say thank you for being so inspiring and positive! Good luck and best wishes in your new home!

[Elisa]

Lisamarie, it is so exciting to watch your videos and live through you in your big move to LA! I am 39 with kids now, so my "starting over" would be very different from yours, which is why I'm loving your videos. This post made me reflect on the story I'm writing...and I'm considering making a few tweaks. Thank you for sharing your real life story -- your ups and downs, your resilience to keep on moving, and faith in God along the way. That is truly special. God bless you!

[Nikol Johnson-Sanchez]

Lisa congratulations on your move back. Are you still working for the same company or are you taking a break?

[Tatjana]

I'm so excited for you! Thank you so much for sharing your journey to and from home. I agree, we should always self-reflect, truly then do you know what our focus or refocus should be.

[Jenna Meow]

Congratulations on the move. It seems it was a long time coming, Here is to new adventures! :-)
Cheers from www.meowlifestyle.com

[Leanne ODell]

Thank you for sharing your life and adventures with us. I have recently been grappling with the decision of making a big move myself. I've been in CA for 13 years now and I'm thinking it may be time to move back to my hometown where all of my family and almost all of my friends still live. It's a difficult decision as I have a great job with the State of CA and it would mean starting completely over, but every day now for almost a week, I feel like that is where I need to be. Praying constantly for God's guidance in this decision and with winter fast approaching, I probably wouldn't move till early spring so I have some time to pray, ponder, and hopefully make the right decision. It's difficult being away from family!

Oh, thank you again for the $50 EC giftcard for the notebook. I finally got it. I ordered the deluxe a short time ago when they were doing the free calendar insert and I got the same butterfly cover that you have. Love it! I'm thinking of using it to plan my reading for a book review blog I'm starting using books from NetGallery.

God bless you fellow Glam Girl.