Always be grateful…

Weekends away are good for the soul. To experience precious little moments of gratefulness and humility along the way.

Do you ever have those moments when you are cooking and you look at your spice cabinet and it is a hot mess? You got garlic powder mixed with the red pepper flakes, and your salt next to sugar…. Call me wild, but that doesn’t sit well for me. My spice cabinet has to be organized because everything has a spot.

When you blend in different spices though, you can make something pretty scrumptious. A mix of savory and sweet, salty and sweet, bitter and sour… it is almost a fun experiment to pair flavors to get the perfect combination.

Recently, I blended a mix of my close girlfriends personalities during a girls trip (which I am now branding as the Grateful Trip). Normally I LOVE planning and hosting events, and experience a little excitment and anxiety along the way, but this trip felt different. I didn’t have the sensations of worriedness or anxiety and more of a calming manner. The trip I planned for four months was worth all the things big and small, and planted seeds of hope and self-love. It was a recipe for success!

Thoughtful Intention and Keeping it Real

Let’s be real- it can be a little nerve wracking bringing together a large group of beautiful, confident, loving, ambitious, driven, introverted, big energy personalities together (especially some that did not know each other) but I was up for the adventure. This trip was meaningful for me and I knew it would be meaningful and healing for those who came. I had to tell myself, “Stasia make sure that you take time to enjoy the trip for you also. You can’t be wondering aroound making sure everyone is taken care of. They came because they believe in you. Let them experience the adventure for themselves.” The intention behind the trip was to purposefuly invite ladies that were close to me who were all experiencing different journeys in their life, an opportunity to connect good people to good people, and walk away feeling energized, elevated, motivated, and not alone. This was a trip I wanted to get a feel for if it would be hit or miss as I have future plans for these retreats; and man was it a success and so rewarding.

Pack Your Duffle- We are Headed to Broken Bow, Oklahoma

If you’ve never been to Broken Bow, you may have heard of this small city in southeastern, OK. It is an escape to Beavers Bend State Park, beautiful tall cascading forest trees, lots of greenery and pine forests, local thrift and vintage shops, some wildlife, a lake for all things fly fishing, rafting, canoe and kayak rentals. The cabins are gorgeous, so a neighborhood walk amongst the pine forest trails is peaceful. My family and I would go there at least once a year for quite some time before it became a tourist destination. I marvel at how much the area has grown (you can’t miss the locals obsession over Sasquatch). When we stoppped at the liquor store the owners mentioned they just stocked Casamigos thanks to a trend on ticktok- that’s how small the town is. Be sure to pack a cooler of drinks, your favorite snacks, and food to cook during your stay as the local Walmart is about a 25 minute drive in a neighboring town called Hochatown (and there are hardly any street lights to drive once it gets dark).

Must dos in Broken Bow:

• Eat pizza and watch live music at Grateful Head Pizza Oven & Tap Room (the variety of pizza and the texture is one of the best pizzas i’ve ever eaten- and I lived in Chicago for 6 years) don’t forget to check out their merch store and get a funky t-shirt.

• Horesback riding (we’ve always used Beavers Bend Depot and Trail Rides which is about a 45 minute ride that costs about $30 a person)

• Savor the wine at Girls Gone Wine

• Zipline (the zipline crew at Rugaru Adventures were the best and made us feel safe and comfortable)

• Take adventage of your cabin and your stay- hike, walk the trails, site see other cabins, be one with nature, have a campfire, relax in the hot tub (usually each cabin comes equipped with s’mores essentials)

• Pack a light jacket for evening time by the campfire and unplug/ remove yourself from any tech distractions

• There are options for in cabin spa treatments and massages

Memories For a Lifetime

“Gosh, everyone here is so great. I am really happy to be here in this space of nonjudgement. I needed this. Thank you for putting this together." (Testimonial)

One exercise, after our DIY wine tasting experience, was to write down 1) Where did they see themselves a year from now 2) What did they most enjoy 3) Feedback for the next trip and the common themes for most enjoyed were around:

• Meeting new girls and connecting

• Needing the energy, kindness and bonding

• Hearing other stories we are all going through and feeling supported

• Be in happier and healthier relationships with self

• The support everyone gave each other, feedback, and advice

• Being in a space that felt comfortable and non-judgemental

• Diversity of the girls and free we felt being together

• Eating and drinking all the things guilt free

• Stepping out of comfort zone

There was a deep energy of sisterhood that organically was created amongst old friends, new friends, and friends we least expected- and that was a happy and grateful feeling.

A Blend of Seasonings to Spice Up Your Life

One thing that is exhausting is someong always complaining and nagging, or always has something to say. Get a grip! People in your life are a mix of different spices and influence different seasons in your life. Always be grateful for them and for that season. Always be grateful for sprinkles of seasonings that add spice, comfort, and joy in your life.

I’ll say it again, girls weekends, or guys, are good for the soul. It is so important for us (however you identify yourself and whoever you feel most genuine and comfortable to be around) to have strong, healthy, and positive infuluential friendships in your life. We all face our own shit and our own battles, having those people in your circle feeds your soul.

Scars to Your Beautiful

Oftentimes, we reach seasons in our life where we have a choice- to pivot or crumble. Which choice do you make? You pivot and you rise and you keep on going - Robin Arzón, Peloton Insturctor, ultramarathon runner and author of the book Shut Up and Run.

There is a song I love by Alessia Cara called Scars to Your Beautiful. The lyrics are so poetic and self-loving and self-compassionate.

She just wants to be, beautiful
She goes, unnoticed she knows, no limits
She craves, attention she praises, an image
She prays to be, sculpted by the sculptor

Oh, she don't see, the light that's shining
Deeper than the eyes can find it
Maybe we have made her blind
So she tries to cover up her pain
And cut her woes away
'Cause covergirls don't cry
After their face is made

But there's a hope that's waiting for you in the dark
You should know you're beautiful just the way you are
And you don't have to change a thing
The world could change its heart
No scars to your beautiful
We're stars and we're beautiful

We must take care of ourselves. No matter what chapter we are in, we should always look to our why, our inner driving core, and show up for ourselves. That can look like planning or attending a weekend away to cut loose and get a recharge, to plant seeds of confidence and be grateful for the sun shinning, the rain drops on your cheeks, or stepping out of your comfort zone and ziplining.

I am grateful for the opportunity to plan an event that my friends and family enjoyed, and I gained a lot out of also. I love my girls and every sprinkle that makes them uniquely beautiful. For them to trust and confide in me, to be open and vulnerable, to share and laugh, and experience memories that will last a lifetime makes me feel…. good. I look forward to planning the next Grateful Trip come Summer 2023. Stay tuned…