Okay, I’m not turning 42 for another year, but I do have a birthday creeping up, so I figure it’s a good time to check in.

Rather than focus on where I’ve been and what I’ve accomplished in the past year (a lot of which is awesome), I’m going to focus on who I am right now.

Here’s how I feel about myself and my life at this moment.

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Personally:

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I’m in a good place. Better than I’ve been for a long while. A number of things have led to this, and I appreciate each contributing factor to my growing confidence and ability to tap into a sense of calm.

I’ve been more grounded lately, more connected to the wisdom of the earth and ancestral motherhood. I’m happy with who I am and I am grateful for my children, for my family, for my home, and for my community. I could keep going. #grateful

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Professionally:

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I just finished the “final” polish on the manuscript I’ve been hitting hard for the last however many months. A story I’ve been working on for five years. By the time my birthday rolls around, I will probably have submitted to a handful of literary agents and editors. So that’s something to celebrate.

I haven’t been blogging as much, or making music for that matter, but I’ve been revising, editing, getting feedback and editing more, turning the book of my heart into a work of art. My query letter has gone through at least fifty incarnations, and I’ve heard perspectives from enough people that I feel like I’m ready.

Here’s hoping I get lots of requests, and that those who read the story fall in love with it!

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What’s up in the adventure department?

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Well, I’m not sure yet. I was supposed to go to Colorado to the Block Party and I’m still hoping I can swing it because OMG there are so many people I need to meet who will be there, and I want to sing to y’all! And I was born in that state. Those mountains feel like home to me.

But right now my attendance looks like a long shot, and depends on several factors falling into place.

A) I need a safe, solid, new-to-me Toyota Sienna, preferably All Wheel Drive, with low enough kilometers that I don’t mind racking them up. I am perfectly comfortable touring around in a van. Been there done that. Happy to do it again.

B) Our money situation needs to be in a place where I can cruise to and from Colorado, hit up a hot spring and National Park or three along the way, and feed myself without stressing about funds.

C) My partner’s schedule needs to line up where he’s got a job that allows him to be home at least part of the time, so I don’t have to leave the kids at Grandma’s for a week or have to rush my drive.

Because… If I had the time, I’d go to hot springs in Idaho my first night, and spend some time in the Tetons the second day. I’ve set part of my book in Wyoming, and I haven’t been to Yellowstone National Park yet. That would be a lovely destination.

There are so many people I want to see who will be at the Block Party, so I hope it happens! I just can’t commit to a plane ticket right now. Too much of life is up in the air, at the moment, with lots of things changing. Hopefully it all works that I can take off last minute and show up in my van and hug all the people.

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Another year older.

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Wisdom is a gift. It tends to come with time, mistakes, and ongoing curiosity around self-growth.

I’ve discovered that the more humble I am, the more I like myself.

So I guess I’m aging well. Another week and I’ll be 41. Which means I’ll be 42 when 2020 rolls around. That must mean something. ;)

Thank you for reading.

Whatever happens, keep singing your song!

Peace. @katrina-ariel

^{Photos mine unless otherwise credited. Gifs via giphy.com.}

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Author bio: Katrina Ariel is an old-soul rebel, musician, tree-hugging yogini, and mama bear to twins. Author of Yoga for Dragon Riders (non-fiction) and Wild Horse Heart (romance), she's another free-spirit swimming in the ocean of life.

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^{Dragon art by Liiga Smilshkalne.}

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