It's now been 10 days since I attended the Making Things Happen Intensive in Chapel Hill, and honestly, I've been putting off writing this blog post for over a week because I just don't know how to put into words my feelings about this experience.

The past couple of years have been a wonderful journey, full of struggles and triumphs as I quit my full-time job as a Marketing Director to pursue my dreams of being a wedding photographer. It's been one of the most terrifying and most exciting adventures of my life. There's no way I could have predicted where I would be right now, what I would have learned, and the wonderful people I would meet along the way. I'm so glad I didn't know two years ago what today would hold for me, but I realize that now has to be about making conscious decisions about my business and my life.

And 10 days ago, I nervously walked into a room with Lara, Gina, and Emily and 29 other amazingly brave women and voice wavering and hands trembling, I put it all out there. I opened myself up in a way like I never have, gave up my ability to hide from what I know needs to happen, and made lots of AMAZING new friends who keep each other accountable and encourage one another to be the best version of ourselves.

Making Things Happen is difficult to put in a box... it's all about opening yourself up to who you are meant to be and challenging yourself to take control of your life and let go at the same time. It's about clearing the distractions and the clutter and creating the life you've always imagined. It's about realizing there's no good reason your dreams have to remain dreams. It's about REALLY making your priorities priorities and forgetting the rest. And it's an experience that's truly changed my life... I wake up and put my feet on the floor excited for each day. I no longer just go through the motions; I try to live each day with purpose. I remind myself of what really matters and place my focus on those people. I breathe a little easier at night when I go to bed knowing that I've set myself up for success the next day. And I fail. Alot. But the good news is I have the next day to start all over. Progress, not perfection.

Lara, Gina, and Emily are such amazing people to share their hearts and their precious time away from their husbands and babies with attendees across the country, but their work is life-changing. No really... no dramatics here... it really does change lives. I love you ladies from the bottom of my heart, and I know you will continue to do amazing things!

For anyone reading this who's ready to have your world rocked, I encourage you to check out the Making Things Happen blog, take The Challenge, and/or sign up to attend one of the October intensives in Chicago, Austin, Phoenix, Atlanta or Los Angeles. What are you waiting for?!

Update 8/5/2014: Check out Lara's new book, Make It Happen, now available on Amazon.