Excelsior.

Onwards and upwards. Ever higher.

The Latin word first entered my lexicon when I was a young girl, in the form of a poem of the same name by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the great American poet. I was struck by the word itself and its sound as it so elegantly slipped off my tongue. I immediately attached myself to the phrase and have since come to develop my own personal associations and interpretations of the word and concept.

I have ascribed deep meaning to the word Excelsior because of what it represents — the idea of becoming the highest version of yourself.

I personally feel that I am always in search of my highest self. I get glimpses of her here and there — and I recognize her most when I am creating and expressing myself artistically. I am intimately familiar with and passionate about self-work and have had the opportunity to sort of re-invent myself time and again, each experience revealing more of my true self.

Yet sometimes I wonder, “Onwards and upwards — to what end ? Where is the destination ?” Who knows.

There is no clear answer, no easy path out here on this journey we call life.

But in a single word, Excelsior encapsulates the idea of the recurring and natural creative cycle of inspiration, ambition, action & attempt, (inevitable) failure, acceptance, growth, enlightenment, progress, healing, understanding, and curiosity.

I believe that in order to be our highest selves, we first need to know, understand, accept, embrace, celebrate, and then express that Self — that pure, true identity that you know deep down to be yours and yours alone.

Excelsior by Rosalie is my curated personal philosophy and wearable artwork that I feel deeply compelled to share, with the hope that doing so may spark curiosity, joy and inspiration for others.

I know that I have a unique way of viewing the world, and although it’s a gift and a curse sometimes, to feel so deeply and passionately, at the end of day, I am grateful to be able to experience and witness life so intensely.

So this, dear reader, is my message to you:

Excelsior is a calling, an invocation, an exclamation. An invitation to excel.

To take care, effort, and consideration for yourself and for others.

Therefore, Excelsior is a choice to commit to your highest self — every. day.

When you consistently show up for yourself with purposeful intention, magic can happen.

Starting from where you are now, wherever you are in your life — you can begin to be your best self today.

And what better gift can you give yourself than that of freedom and of self-expression ?

Onwards and upwards ..

Excelsior !!

— Rosalie xoxo