As the temperature cools down and the leaves change to deep tones of amber and rust, a trip to get a glimpse of this foliage is a must. After a busy few weeks of traveling and moving nonstop, I wanted to have some time to relax, unwind, and reflect. The idea to take a day trip down to the Shenandoah National Park resurfaced in my mind as the perfect "getaway" to recharge and be immersed in my favorite season.

The park is a little over an hour from the DC area and is such a tranquil drive. Just me, the open road, and my music roaring over the speakers. It put me in a mindset of reflection and meditation. The day was all about taking full advantage of the capability to move freely, with no worries or constraints. Driving has always been a time for me to think, release my thoughts, and reset myself. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature and driving down the mountainside of the Shenandoah couldn't have come at a better time. As I drove from overlook to overlook and was mesmerized by the beauty, I was able to remember why creating art feeds a fire in my soul. It's the time where I can express my authentic self, allow my mind to flow without pause, and let my creation consume me.

It's easy to become settled into the routine and monotony of the day-to-day. We get lost in pursuing other people's dreams and setting ours aside to achieve later, when we have the time and means to do so. We let our dreams get lost in an eternal putting off, using the excuse of not having enough time, rather than making the time to pursue them each and every day. Why do we continue to do a job that kills our spirit and energy? For my spirit to thrive, there must be new experiences that fuel my creativity and adventures that expand my mind; I must travel into the unknown. Taking myself out of my comfort zone, consistently, allows me to refocus and realign myself with what is most important: embracing my curiosity, fully engaging in every experience, and building my craft.