Running off with the Circus, Pt. 1

It’s really hard to quantify and capture the essence of this past year for me. It all seemed to happen in a flash, and before I knew it, I was whisked away on an adventure that would ultimately change my life in uncountable and unexpected ways.

Where do I even begin??

How can I relay all of the little details, all of the small joys that manifested, as if out of my best dreams and highest hopes?

One of the first small (HUGE) moments:

I arrived in Montréal - full of anticipation, worn out from travel, and, frankly, scared out of my mind. I had been suffering from feelings of insecurity and self-doubt - something that had been brewing for quite a long time. I walked through the doors of the Cirque residency, completely afraid that I couldn’t actually do it.

The residency security guard at the front desk, with his thick Québécois accent, kindly gave me a quick tour of the facility before showing me to my room. I was on the top floor, “in the penthouse,” as I fondly came to call it. The guard swiped the key card, and held the door open for me. I pushed my suitcases through, gave the room a quick scan, and stopped dead in my tracks.

On the wall, hanging above the bed, was a canvas print of The Kiss by Gustav Klimt (my absolute favorite painting of all time). It was like a bolt of lightning, and all at once, I knew that everything was going to be ok. I was meant to be there, “in the penthouse,” and I was protected and safe.

During those couple of weeks in Montréal, big life changes happened. Things fell away. Things came together.

I found my joy again.

-E

<3

To be continued…