Life is Precious.

This past month has taken me around the country and on a personal roller coaster.

Amazing times and memories, followed with sudden heartbreak and tragedy. It is one of those times where I am reminded to never take things for granted and to enjoy every day we have on this earth with the people you love. Life is too precious and too short to do anything else. Grab your loved ones, hug them and don't let them go for anything.

I've been MIA for awhile, I apologize. Heres my brief summary of the #TooFitTravel.My travels were dynamic, long and a total blast. 

• It was awesome to see SF for the first time: the crazy hills, the crooked street, Fisherman's Wharf, Alcatraz island and the crazy Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. I managed to squeeze in a Bikram Yoga class and a VERY hilly run through SF while I was there.  The weather is COLD, the chill from the fog cuts you like a knife at night and in the morning. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get to the mediterranean climate in Napa/Wine Country. It is even more beautiful and serene that I had imagined, and of course the  wineries and the wine were to. die. for. Also to die for, In & Out Burger...
• Surprising my Mom for her birthday was so great! I was so happy to pull it off since more people ended up finding out beforehand than I anticipated. Quality time with my family was wonderful, and Massachusetts in the summer time is wicked awesome. (Yep, I said it.) 
• The night before surprising my Mom, I got together with a bunch of old friends from Boston. It was so fantastic to see everyone, some people I hadn't seen in a year, and it felt like nothing has changed between us. These are my lifetime friends.

• After some time in Boston, I headed to the Women's Campaign School at YALE. A week of political bootcamp with some of the best in the field. I met some AMAZING people. One in particular, who shared my frustrations for not being able to work out, and the wrap/sandwich lunch options at the school. I barely slept, worked out twice and ditched the diet to get by with the fuel that was given to me (as I had no time to get anything else.) I learned more, and pushed myself more intellectually than I ever have before. Ended the week with a kick butt thesis presentation (holler to group F), running on fumes and never wanting to see a wrap again.

• 6am the next morning I was on a flight to New Orleans to meet my girl friends for a birthday bash. And what a bash it was! No sleep, lots of booze, dancing, laughing and being in awe of all the NOLA is. Bourbon street is nothing short of crazy, surviving feels like an accomplishment. The history and the culture of the city is pretty neat, and I'm happy to have experienced it.

Coming home after the whirlwind was fantastic. 

It felt so good to be in my own bed, see and hug the people I had missed and get back into the routine. Getting back into working out was a struggle, but that wore off after sticking to it pretty quick. Eating healthy wasn't even difficult. I got my hold on everything pretty quick, had much to look forward to here and was thrilled about it.

However, the peace and happiness of being home has come to a screeching halt. A sudden jolt in my personal life along with the passing of a co-worker have me in a devastated state of shock. 

This sudden jolt and seemingly senseless tragedy today, have put me on my ass, and feeling like something or someone heavy is stepping on me. 

I am so fortunate to have an amazing team who is there for me and telling me that I am "one of the strongest most optimistic people" they know. I am grateful for them, and their reminder of who I am. 
I am clinging to the best piece of advice I have ever received: "your success in life comes from associations". There is nothing more important in life than your relationships, with yourself, and other people. They will not only make you successful, but they make life worth living.

Today, especially today, I am feeling that life is too short to not share it with the people you love dearly. No fear in the world is worth any regret, I truly feel that regret is the worst pain. Do everything you can to have no regrets, don't be reckless but don't play it safe either. We only get one shot at this. 

Make sure you knock it out of the park.