Lena Lives

Don't fret, gentle readers, for Lena Hart lives--albeit in a slightly different form.

A few months ago, I started on the journey toward self-discovery, which has included, among other things, the creation of my own business, the dissolution of my marriage, the completion of two half marathons and the beginnings of a relationship with a man I can say with complete and utter confidence is my soulmate. And while this journey is by no means complete, one of the first things I discovered about myself is that Lena is not only an online persona, but a lived one--one I used to hide the unpleasant things in and of my life and perpetuated for so long that even I was unable to distinguish between Lena and the real me. That life-altering experience at Montara taught me that the real me, Laura Beth, is not only infinitely likable but loveable--unconditionally, just as I am. By God, by family, by my love and by my community.

Since then, I have vowed to live authentically, embracing equally the easy and the difficult, the light and the dark, the lovable and the not-so-loveable--the paradox and the complex reality that is me.

I hope you'll join me on my journey.