Over the past 5 years I oddly developed what many people have affectionately referred to as my “wine wink”. Quirky yes. Surprising? No. I’ve always been quirky.

The old kindergarten teacher in me and the momma of 4 in me would tell you that it’s a sign of my love for you, meant solely for YOU and a non-verbal cue THATS everything ALL in LOVE.

Can you relate?

Maybe you aren’t a teacher or a momma and maybe you don’t even have kids…..

But have you ever winked at someone?

Has anyone ever winked at you?

My perspective has ENTIRELY changed and even though a message or words can totally be taken the wrong way, I still think the wink is often extremely “on point” and typically cannot be misinterpreted.

The wink to me is more of a “whisper” to anyone who catches it at this point ….. a moment of silence within the context it exists – almost like a “code”.

It’s a right of passage and depending on the context it can even mean……

“I got this” or “watch me”…..or “trust me” or “you just wait”.

For me……It’s also a sign of survival.

It’s a bad ass symbol of experience that you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy but you want to boldly let the enemy know LOUD and CLEAR that it didn’t knock you down. That you are still standing. Still living. Still sending the “sit the eff down because I’m not done” message. In a world where sooooo many things can knock you down and a devil that won’t stop trying to knock you down….. it feels good to fight back.

In a very simple and quiet definition…..

The devil whispered in my ear,

“You’re not strong enough to withstand the storm”

Today I whispered in the devils ear,

“I am the storm”

Glasses up. Cheers.

Toast to all the bad asses still standing out there after the storm. It’s not easy – so don’t for one second think that it is easy. Getting back up

IS

NOT

EASY.

AND don’t think for one second that you won’t continue to be challenged and knocked down AGAIN.

But when that happens, remember all the storms you’ve weathered.

Remember that you’ve done it before and you sure as hell can do it again.

Get up.

Stay up.

Wink back.

Xo

Amy