Hello, darlings!

I just wanted to hop on here and share something that has been weighing on my heart. Any loss is hard to deal with, but it hits a little different when it is a parent. You once shared everything with this person, and one day, they are gone. There is so much I regret, wish I would have said thinking that it would have made things different.

My mother was the sweetest, most selfless person I have ever met. I try and live through her grace each day, as I hope to make her proud. Here are seven things she taught me that will always resonate with me

1. No matter what happens, always be yourself

 Easier said than done. Life has ways of throwing many curve balls at you, but when the going gets tough, you only have yourself to scrub the dust off and get back up again. Throughout life, you meet all sorts of people. Some are better than others. It would be best if you always stayed true to yourself. I have very high standards of myself, and I will not let others’ behavior affect my decisions. ALWAYS remember your worth.

2.  Never stop working hard until you reach the top.

Growing up as a pedigree golfer, it always seemed like a chore. I started competing at the age of 6. There were many times where I was sick of the game and just wanted to stop. As the years went on, my passion for the game grew fonder as I would have extreme bursts of success. I am damn proud of who I am as a person and a golfer. I can thank my mother for always believing in my game even when I couldn’t. I owe her my life for saving me from a shallow point a couple of years ago. I picked myself up and never have looked back. I know it in my heart that great things are coming into my life. If you don’t believe me, sit back and watch. 

3. Enjoy your 20s, and let the right man/woman chase you

 It is quite apparent I am a hopeless romantic. I love the idea of love. As a little girl, I always imagined myself getting swept off my feet. Unfortunately, it does not happen that way in this generation. After many failed attempts at love, it is simply not worth the pain that follows. I am too mature to play games. I have bigger fish to fry in my eyes, so I’ll settle down later when I have more time. I would never let a boy, yes, I said, boy. Get in my ways of chasing my dream. She always used to say, “When you know, you know.” ugh, if it were only that easy mom, haha!

4. A kind heart goes a long way.

Lets cut the bullshit. There are so many fake people out there—hidden agendas and foolery. One of my faults is that I see the best in people even when they aren’t good souls. I feel like people are capable of changing, but sometimes, it hurts me in the end. Through all the turmoil, a kind heart can save someone’s life. Show them real meaning and build them up. I plan to inspire others to be creative, eccentric, and live how they want. 

5. Be a role model 

This point made me tear up. No, I’d like to think I am a role model for young girls. I hope I can share love and passion for golf as I did at a young age. I have been through a lot in my life, and I know how painful some of these things can be. My dream is to prevent children from depression and anxiety. I want them to know there is a much bigger plan for them and that they are LOVED. If I live each day with the intention of helping someone, then it has been a great day. 

6. ALWAYS follow your heart

Living with hope is a great way to make good out of bad situations. When I was young, I would make inspiration boards in my room out of magazine clippings. This would be snippets of things that stood out to me. It was often words of encouragement or colorful images. I think doing things out of love for yourself can do wonders in your life. By this, I mean, follow yourself, not others. Say those words. Buy that book. Post that song because you were created to enjoy yourself. 

7. If it doesn’t make you grow, get rid of it. 

Wasting time on negative energy will not get you anywhere. Worrying about disposable things such as money or status is not a healthy way to live. I know so many people that idolize others for the things they are not. STOP. COMPARING. Honestly, no respectful person cares about being engulfed in others. I wish people could wake up and realize that being you is your biggest asset. If more people thought that way, the world would be a much better place. Declutter your life of anything that does not spark pure joy. Spend time with yourself to reflect on what makes you happy. Growth is a process, trust it, and work at it each day.

If you are still reading, I love you! Thank you for taking the time to read some of my thoughts on life. With these crazy times, it is prudent that we work on becoming better people. 

Side note: If you are ever feeling worthless or lonely, please reach out. I love to listen. 

Sweetly,

 Samantha