[sponsored post] what inspires me?

I was contacted this week to participate in a campaign that truly speaks to my heart and there was no way that I could turn it down. AOL is teaming up with several single lady bloggers to find out what inspires them and how they embrace their freedom and achievements along this road called life. Since this blog is a chronology of my journey and the many adventures I have enjoyed along the way, I thought I might be a well-suited candidate for this particular write-up.

In the past two years, I have completely transformed every aspect of my life. Bad eating habits went out the window and I took up yoga and meditation. Time spent feeling sorry for myself because I wasn’t yet married with children I replaced with happy memories of the many friends (and lovers without strings) in my life. I started saying yes to experiences that took me outside of my comfort zone. I saw Phish 18 times last year and danced along to countless other bands around the country. I rediscovered my love of writing and we’ve been inseparable ever since.

But I also acknowledge the journey to get here and I’m constantly motivated by the strong women behind the scenes in my life—the ones who took me out for cocktails and therapy sessions when I needed them most and reminded me that I was too young to give up on love. I’m inspired by the soundtrack of my life and the music that keeps me moving for hours at a time. I’m inspired by the road trips with good friends by my side and the exciting, new experiences just out of reach and beyond the bend. I’m inspired by the hopeless romantic who dwells within me, reminding me that there is a great love out there to one day share this all with.

To all the beautiful, fabulous, single women out there: I’d like to encourage you all to head over here and design your own “Inspiration Board.” Show us what moves you and you will be eligible to win a $50 gift card from AOL (prizes awarded weekly)! All users are also entered for a Grand Prize: a $4,500 gift card. I’m sure we can all think of ways to spend that money this summer, right?

Here are some pics of the wonderful friends who are a constant source of inspiration to me and some of the memories that light up my life:

This post was sponsored by AOL.