October: Growing Where You’re Planted

Coming back to America this past August has stirred a lot of feelings within me. To be honest, I didn’t want to return. I had envisioned myself thriving somewhere else, maybe back in Spain, or in one of the many places that feels more aligned with who I am and who I’m becoming. But life has brought me back here, to a place that feels uncomfortable, where I find myself wishing I could escape. And yet, there’s a truth I’m slowly coming to embrace: we have to grow where we’re planted, even when it’s not where we’d choose.

I often feel stuck here in New York, and one of the worst feelings for me is the sense of being trapped. The weather, the people, the American accents all around (haha) it grates on me. It’s not the beautiful, inspiring landscape of Europe, and it feels like a dead end road. I struggle to see potential or a future here, and often times, I feel like I have to put my happiness on pause until I get back to where I truly belong... But what I’ve come to realize is that it’s not God forcing me to delay joy; it’s me. I’ve been the one choosing to put my life on hold. What if, instead of waiting for the “perfect” circumstances, I could learn to take advantage of where I am now? Maybe I’m exactly where I need, and the universe will support me in getting to where I want to be. But in the meantime, am I willing to embrace the lessons life is offering me in this awkward in-between?

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking miracles are somewhere else; waiting for us in a different city, a new adventure, or another phase of life. But happiness isn’t a future event. It’s not something we can schedule or save for later. It’s an experience we create right here, in the present moment, no matter where we are or how we feel about it.

Coming home has been an exercise in practicing acceptance for what is, instead of longing for what could be. And while I still dream of wandering Italian streets, living in new cultures, and planting roots in different soil, I’m reminded that there’s value in the now, in this very moment of my life.

Maybe you’re not where you want to be. Maybe home feels more like a cage than a sanctuary. But that doesn’t mean we can’t still celebrate. We can still find meaning and beauty right where we are, even if it’s not where we imagined ourselves. Peace doesn’t wait for the next chapter; it’s found in the pages we’re living today.

Gratitude isn’t just about the big things. It’s about the small moments we often overlook. It’s the familiar rhythm of life on Long Island; the closeness of family, the comfort of saving money, and being able to tend to my health. Yes, there’s discomfort in being here, but there’s also something to be said about finding the good in it - the connection with people I’ve known for years, the places that hold memories, and the unexpected moments of luxury that still find me here. So, I ask you, as I ask myself: What can you celebrate in the here and now? What is it about this present moment that deserves your joy? There’s always something to appreciate, even when the future feels more appealing than the present.

Let’s pause. Let’s take stock of this moment, of what’s in front of us, and of the little things we can be thankful for. Let’s grow where we’re planted, even if we wish we were somewhere else. Because in the end, it’s the present moment that holds the key to our serenity, not the future, and not some far-off destination. What are you blessed for in this moment? What can you appreciate, right here, right now? Let’s live with that awareness and allow love to take root in the soil we’ve been given. We may just find that magic was here all along!

XO,

Lorena