“Half of us are chasing the fountain of youth and it’s in the present.” – SZA

For a long time, I’ve been craving a deep love.

And little did I know, I was craving a deep love from myself.

So, I gave myself just that.

I gave myself the gift I’ve been waiting for: the gift of travel.

I showed myself love by doing the things I wanted to do and see,

I showed myself how strong and capable I was by getting myself from place to place,

I showed myself how much my opinion matters and that hey, I actually do make good decisions, and DOPE ones at that!

I met a group of strangers who couldn’t believe I had this vulnerable, sad side, that I was someone who couldn’t comprehend my worth. They just saw the smiling, happy Jacklyn that always comes around with a good attitude, ready to make everyone smile and laugh. They didn’t know she was hurting on the inside.

Sometimes, we all need reminders. But not just any old reminder from a friend or a family member.

Sometimes, we need to search for that reminder. Sometimes, we need it on a big scale, like meeting a group of strangers that reflect everything good within you, like taking the time to create your adventure, your way, not anyone else’s way.

Sometimes, we need to do things for ourselves and not for other people in our lives.

This travel story has taught me that lessons can be learned, but sometimes… lessons need to be lived.

I didn’t know how to serve myself the way I needed, I didn’t know how to serve myself without having to think of another.

The peace I found out there, and within, was on a grand scale. Being with myself… loving myself… knowing myself…