“Every solution to every problem is simple. It’s the distance between the two where the mystery lies.” Derek Landy

Oh, isn’t life funny… Just when we think we have it all figured out, a situation sneaks up on us and surprises the heck out of us. Well, maybe it’s just me, but I had a big one just happen that I felt compelled to share. There is such a big lesson in it for me, which means maybe there is one for you too?

Whether it be in business or in life, we face problems every single day, well, to be honest, maybe every single hour. Where the awesomeness comes in is in how well we can identify the actual problem, and find a solution and keep pushing. The joys of creative small business ownership. Ahhhhh..

So here is how the story goes…

I have spoken a few times; well maybe more than a few, about my rescue dog Faith. She is special in that she is the most kind, gentle, loving, sweet but very scared, anxious and timid. She clearly was very much abused as a baby, as I have been with her since she was only 3 months old.

Once we moved to downtown Los Angeles, she began to become even more fearful. It began well, and then deteriorated quickly. I was at a compete loss. I brought in experts, doctors, dog whisperers, trainers, and the whole nine. She began to get better and better. So much so that I signed another year lease on my loft.

Then in late January, her brother Zen became very ill, and it was traumatizing to the entire family. And from there, she began to decline, quickly. In and out of the hospital with Zen nearly every few weeks it seemed became more and more difficult for all of us. And Faith kept getting worse. She did not want to leave the loft, and cowered the second she walked onto the sidewalks outside, in fact, many days, she needed to be carried. She began to lose weight, and was just miserable.

Meanwhile, my heart continued to break. Guilt, sadness, shame, confusion… and so many sleepless nights, wondering what the heck I was going to do. Months went by, and I just could not figure out how to care for Zen, who now has a terminal diagnosis, and ensure Faith was living the happy life she deserved. I was at a complete loss.

One thing I knew for sure, I would need to create a plan to move. To move out of the city, to a space that I was hopeful would be awesome for her. But that was not going to be happening anytime in the immediate future, like I just cannot move today, so still, at a complete loss and feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. And more guilt, one of the worst, non-productive emotions out there.

Every 4^th of July, I always get out of the city, as Faith has always been deathly afraid of fireworks. So last week, I packed up my babies and myself and headed south, to San Diego County where both my Mom and Stepmom live. Ahhhhhh, we would finally get a few days away from the noise and Faith could get a reprieve, if only for a few days. Then it hit me…. Like a ton of bricks… Like OMG, how could I have not seen this before? Like wow.

My Stepmother has a three-acre ranch, she has three loving dogs and horses and so much space to play and roam. She is home nearly every day, and her entire live revolves around her animals. And she LOVES Faith. She also just recently lost one of her dogs unexpectedly to a terrible illness and has been heartbroken ever since. Do you see where this is going?

The solution was always available to me. It has been there this entire time. And I did not see it. I did not see it because I was not willing to see it. Because in seeing it, that meant I would have to sacrifice something, me. My emotions. My heart. My guilt. My belief system that said “my sweet rescue for sure would never be OK away from her Mommy”… a very self-centered yet common line of reasoning. But it was not in the best interest of Faith. I was so focused on how I would feel, I never once even thought about all the options that were available to me. I was too deep in the problem.

You see, the solution is always there. It’s closer than you think. Than I think. Than we think. But it may take sacrifice. Whether it be sacrifice in comfort, not wanting to have a tough discussion, admitting we made a mistake, pride, ego, defiance, confusion, whatever. But I promise you; the solution is closer than you think. Way closer. It actually may be literally right in front of you. Or in my case, a few hours south in San Diego County.

I am not new to sacrifice; in fact, the last six years it could have been my middle name. I sacrificed a career, financial security and nearly all my material belongings to live a life of purpose, awesomeness and authenticity. To create a life of meaning, in my case, took a ton of sacrifice. And in looking back, I would do it all over again to be in the place I am today; grounded, at peace, fulfilled, and living a life of service + awesomeness.

I am happy to say, while I am missing my Faith so very very much, she is incredibly happy, happier than she has been in a long time. And Zen and I, well, we are good too, taking life one day at a time, and yes, working on finding a new space to call home in hopes that Faith will want to come back to us someday soon. The thing is though… I will be OK either way, because I can see clearly now. I found the solution. It was always there. It just took some time to see it.

Love + Awesomeness-

Nina