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heartstories

When it rains . . .

This is a moment of behind-the-scenes truth being told.

We had wildly different plans for our Galentines Sip & Stroll GNO.  It wasn’t supposed to be a Sip ‘n Stroll at all.  It was supposed to be a “Galentine’s Pamper Party”.  We had all the fun plans for how it was going down.  Until, at the last minute, the week of Christmas, with a house full of guests, I found out about an unexpected change that upset the entire apple cart.  Suddenly we needed a new location to host our giant pamper party.  You know the saying.

When it rains . . . it pours.

In moments like these, I try to practice breathing deeply and remembering that every problem has a solution.  It may look very different than the solution I was expecting, but every problem has a solution . . . as long as I’m open to discovering it.  It will …

by Crystal Gornto Female Social Entrepreneurs Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Our Story Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Showing up matters

It’s been a rough week it’s been on so many of our hearts. I’m not even a sports fan, unless my kids are playing. Kobe Bryant wasn’t on my radar.  Though he was a legend, he wouldn’t even have ranked in 10,000 people I was thinking about going into the weekend.

But oh, what a difference a day makes.

His passing in such a tragic event, while being an engaged parent, seemed to stop the heartbeat of the world momentarily.  It felt like a sucker punch in the gut to sports fans and parents near and far.  It’s been such a heavy few days, even for me, until a random moment with Noah, we just happened to catch the quick clip of Elle Duncan, a sportscaster on ESPN (at about minute 1:20) offering a tribute to Kobe’s life.  Through tears, she shared:

“I suppose that the only small source of comfort for me …

by Crystal Gornto Community Girl's Night Out Inspirational Women Inspirational Words Love In Action Love in Friendship Loving Others Motherhood Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Get up and move

This helmet was mine after a paintball game, not too long ago.  Let’s just say I was grateful for the coverage!  I grew up in a family of all girls.  There were four daughters to be exact.  Even the dogs we had were female.  Add in my Mom, and my poor Dad was completely surrounded.  We had a lot of fun in our family, but he didn’t get to play much catch or practice throwing the football.  He taught us how to shoot a gun briefly, but let’s just say that hunting wasn’t part of our family tradition.

Even so, I somehow developed a love for cap guns. 

I wish I had the picture now, but I used to run around dressed up like a “cowgirl” firing gap guns left and right.  I remember it as one of the joys of my childhood.  I guess that explains why the introduction of paintball …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspiration Loving Others Loving Yourself Purpose Leave a comment chat
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It only gets better from here

This year on vacation, I was determined to do something we’ve never done before.  There is a place they call Bioluminescent Bay or “Bio Bay” where you visit by boat or kayak for a “Bioluminescence Tour”.   I’ve seen bioluminescence while diving at night, but always heard that if you really want to experience it, this tour is the way to go.

We finally did it and it was truly awe-inspiring.

We took a boat over to the other side of the island where we met out guide and the rest of our tour group just as the sun was setting.  We got our little lights and instructions, boarded our two-man kayaks and pushed out into the water.  It was at times eery, to be kayaking in the still dark waters under the light of the moon, following only the little green light of our guide.  Then moments later it was equally hilarious, as …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Words Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Come back from vacation

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to swim with the stingrays.  We literally do it every summer and it never gets old.  In the “wild” they flock to this particular sand bar of their own free will, because they know the visiting tourists are bringing breakfast (squid).  They want breakfast.  But we’ve learned from the guides over the years, that they like to be cuddled too.  It takes practice to learn how to scoop them up and hold them just under the water so they can still breathe, while rocking gently with the waves, and rubbing their soft white underside.

If you do it right, they will stay there with you, and it’s absolutely magical.

Each year, I try to wrangle one for myself and each year I fail.  I’ll get it partially right, but then I’ll come up too fast or hold on in the wrong spot.  …

by Crystal Gornto Inspiration Love In Action Loving Others Loving Yourself Priorities Purpose Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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Surprising freedom

As usual, we did a few fireworks of our own last night.  Also as usual, there were a few surprises and it got a little out of hand at times.  If you’ve hung around me much, you’ve probably picked up on the fact that I’m a rule-breaker.  I don’t like limits (or burn bans, apparently).  I love being free.  I have secret dreams to have a flower and a peace sign painted on the while cover of the jeep that says, “Not all who wander are lost.”

No really, I do. 

There’s so much inside of me that screams for freedom.  I want no rules.  I want to be free to wander and explore and just “be me”.  Rules, processes, planning, especially meetings to make rules, processes or plan- they all really cramp my style and give me the heebie jeebies.  I simply must have the freedom to wander.

At the very same time, …

by Crystal Gornto Girl's Night Out Inspirational Words Loving Others Loving Yourself Priorities Roadblocks in Life The Journey Through Life Leave a comment chat
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