Peacefully perched on my porch, nestled at an elevation of 225 feet in the majestic mountains of St. Maarten, I find myself reflecting on a profound lesson that has transformed the trajectory of my life. It is the principle of living consciously and intentionally, driven solely by purpose and embodying the highest expression of why we are born.

People often inquire how a single woman born in North Carolina and raised in Washington, D.C., managed to uproot her life and relocate 2000 miles away at the age of 58. The catalyst for this significant change was the devastating stroke my partner suffered in his brain stem, leading to his passing on December 26, 2017. As someone who identifies as a spiritual being having a human experience, I believed I had confronted my grief. However, it was during a chance conversation with my friend and therapist in January 2019 that I experienced a profound revelation: “Throughout my life, I had been a gardener, but it was time to become a flower.” Trusting the wisdom and depth of Dr. Jerel Eaglin’s counsel, I listened without overthinking. Following his sage advice, I made the decision to close my catering and event planning business, which had thrived for 25 years, and accepted a coveted management position with Occasions Caterers—an entirely new experience for me. It was humbling to step into a “job” after such a long time, but it also brought relief from stress and proved to be a deeply rewarding endeavor rooted in service.

Exactly one year later, the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a global pause—a sacred time for humanity to confront the issues we had long considered ourselves too busy to address. During a one-week vacation that began on September 5, 2020, an unexpected turn of events led to a 16-week adventure. Virtual lockdown in Washington, D.C., could not compete with the allure of affordable room rates and an uninhabited two-mile stretch of pristine tropical beach. In April 2021, an incredible opportunity presented itself when I was granted the privilege of living and working at the very resort where I had found solace—a tranquil existence in Paradise.