Inspirations....

A big thank you to Nicole De Weever for finding this and posting it. I am continuously inspired by you Nicole. Thank you for being you and for spreading the inspiration..... (taken from Nicole's FB status post)

Nicole De Weever

If there is one thing I have learned about death it is that it is a great revealer. When I woke up this morning I was heartbroken in realizing how much time I waste on NONSENSE. It dawned on me that all we leave behind are...memories. Every moment, every interaction, every word is a creation of a memory.

The memories I want to leave behind should be those that mirror the deepest expression of my soul but in order to do so we must be true. That is easier said then done. Ultimately...the memories we leave behind should reflect how hard we loved and how much we were loved in return. Those memories should mark all we were willing to die for and LIVE for. I pray to leave memories behind so strong, they are tangible enough that those I loved can hold them and be comforted and STRENGHTHEND by them.

Last night I lost my grandmother and that loss reminded me to be careful with the positions I take with people I say I love. It reminded me of the necessity to continue to explore and expand my concepts of love and live up to the standards I discover. It reminded me not to take myself, my loved ones or my situation for granted. Most importantly... it reminded me that no matter what we are going through...we are ALIVE! That means...blessings await :) Grab them...and let's spend more time working towards the miracles we are in this short amount of time we have been given. Love deeply today...
This was written by Jada Pinkett I saw it and I was so moved because I really relate to what is being said.

2 years ago...

LiL Knee - May-July 2010

2 years ago today, I woke up and walked into an operating room for a 2+ hr reconstructive knee surgery. Today I am thankful that I am back doing what I love most in this world - DANCE - and grateful for all the love and support everyone gave me  (and still gives me) during the 8 months I went through the injury/rehab. 

LiL Knee - July 21, 2012

While I never want to go through anything like that again, I will say I am grateful because it taught me a lot and made me see things in a different way. And because of it, I met some pretty amazing people, and found out some pretty amazing things about those surrounding me.

I'm so thankful for Bethany Hamilton, Shawn Johnson, Aliya Mustafina, Alicia Sacramone, Allison Case, Karen Olivo, Courtney Kupets and everyone else who ever had an injury, publicly worked through it, and gave me the strength and courage to keep fighting until I was back. And it's a constant struggle - learning how to get back and re-train with what feels like a totally different body, learning how to trust your body again, having faith that everything will be ok. 

Life is way too short to focus on the bad. This injury/surgery could've been the end for me - but instead, I chose to focus on the positive - to stay close to those who support and inspire, and to steer clear of the negative ones. To keep my eye on the goal - getting back into the studio so I could, once again, FLY....going back and reading through this blog has taught me a lot - about myself, about my body, about others.....and even though I've been officially healed since January 1, 2011, I still keep this blog going to remind myself where I've been, where I'm headed, and where I want to go. 

~Memories In Action~
JKing Dance Company - May 2012

Thank you to everyone who continues to support me and my passion. In the words of 7 year old Xiana, "I LOVE YOU MUCH MUCH!"

"Imagine the one thing you love to do the most. Now imagine, out of nowhere, something happens and you realize you may never be able to do it again. How do you feel? Sad? Angry? Shell-shocked? For me, the answer was all of the above."

-Bethany Hamilton-

Knee Heroes of mine...