Emotional Circulation
While for the most part I feel extremely fulfilled in my life, yesterday when I got into bed, I experienced the emotion of loneliness.
At first I was surprised, as it’s not a flavor I experience often, but it made sense as I had recently gone out on a few dates which did not pan out.
Going out also reminded me of my desire for a deep nurturing connection.
As I was confronted by this feeling, I saw the imaginary road diverge into several different paths.
I could ignore this feeling by getting on my computer, picking up a book to read, or by finding a show to watch, or I could do what I know works best; allow myself to feel fully and let the process of emotional circulation take place.
I reached for my journal, scribed my feelings, felt my emotions bubble and transform, and just like a wave, the experience peaked and then softened.
What further fascinates in this contemplation is that the evidence of the importance of circulation on the physical level is corroborated and extremely well-known. If our arteries or veins get clogged, we find ourselves in big trouble.
So why does no one remind us that the same is true for all that is moving in our emotional internal landscape?
In fact, some people propose the idea of how physical outer disease can at times be related to what has stagnated on the inside. A bladder infection due to an inability to let go, chronic back pain related to never feeling supported, or gout connected to impatience, a need to dominate, or anger.
While the idea of feeling fully sounds easy, in reality, it brings up a dose of fear for many.
I remember the first time I got extremely depressed and instead of endlessly distracting myself I laid down on my bed in fetal position and simply felt.
At first I wasn’t sure if it would ever end. What if I just broke up a dam that would continue to gush with intensity forever?
It subsided, and the integration I felt was surprising and extremely refreshing.
Feeling our feelings doesn’t have to be a big production. It’s as simple as allowing something to bubble up when we are resting in the space of savasana (the final posture in yoga), letting a tear flow when we’re moved by a song, or welcoming even those moments of sadness or loneliness as honorable guests.
When we are willing to be in relationship with our internal topography of diverse feelings, we allow ourselves to mirror the intelligence of nature in honoring conscious and purposeful movement, which is the necessary lifeline of everything in existence.
Where in your life can you break up a stagnant block and usher in a renewed sense of emotional circulation?
Danny Arguetty, MA, E-RYT, is a yoga teacher trainer. yoga philosophy enthusiast, nutrition & health counselor, and writer. He is the author of Nourishing the Teacher: inquiries, contemplations, and insights on the path of yoga and is in the process of completing his second book The 6 Qualities of Consciousness. Danny is passionate about the care of the environment, supporting people in gaining more self-awareness, and living a life of empowered inquiry.
Magic Carpets
Two months ago, I met a soul mate. The fire in my spirit that had been put out from all the heartbreak over the past year was reignited. This beautiful soul reminded me of who I am and how incredible it can be to love. I was alive again! With the fire burning stronger than ever, I became bold enough to follow my heart’s true desires. I have uncovered parts of me that have been stored away for much too long. I finally realized I do not have to move to Sedona to be accepted as who I really am! So, the psychic readings, sound bath healings, and chakra cleansings began. By embracing more of the mystical, ethereal way of life, my heart has expanded and more wisdom and love have come pouring in!
There is a tribe of us, and I am only at the beginning of my journey. This poem, Magic Carpets, came to me after voicing my overprotective ego’s doubts about this new age world I’ve entered. It’s scary to believe in magic. It’s scary to let go of the stories that keep us broken. It’s scary to keep your faith. But if it wasn’t scary, it wouldn’t be so damn thrilling!
~My story of what’s been
Haunts my dream of what’s to be
My imagination halted
By darker parts of me
Situations losing purpose
As old patterns fight to stay
As I move away from ego
My demons are displayed
Pick myself apart
Til hope is just a thought
A piece of a past
It seems I now forgot
Blue skies become an omen
Mocking me and my mood
Once a reminder
Of my connection with you
I do believe in dreams
But the dreams are only that
Reality is what shows
And my heart will just adapt
I’ll settle into the truth
Of Truth as a lie
I’ll convince my wounded heart
Of what’s in my mind
My fairy nature will be stored
With my faith of things unseen
I’ll embrace the world as is
With its apathetic routine
It seems easier this way
To keep our hope at bay
But the light keeps flickering
To show it’s not afraid
What have I been thinking?
We cannot run from Truth
Once we’ve seen all there is
And all there’s left to do
The sinking feeling isn’t loss
It’s not demons or destruction
It’s an inner knowing
Of our deepest reconstruction
I feel it in my bones
Now words are ringing true
What’s happening within us
Is unveiling the Absolute
We must surrender to this feeling
Every push and pull within
The planet wants to shift
But first we must begin
Let’s call in every angel
Every master, every God
Let’s bring all the hope
We thought that we forgot
Let our light take over
Let the fight melt away
Let the worry roll over
And our fears dissipate
We are all Alladin
We were born to fly
Our dreams – magic carpets
Navigation left to the sky
Let’s dream magic together
And fly as one
Get off of our feet
And get this s@%# done!~
Camila Greenberg is an actress, writer, and founder of Cards for Humanity, a volunteer organization based in Los Angeles, CA.
31 Things I Learned From 31 Months Of Nonstop Travel
Today I’ll receive the keys to a huge two bedroom condo just minutes from the beach in Carlsbad, CA. I’m moving in with this woman who I love very much.
Which means my location independent adventure is coming to a close.
Since selling, throwing away, or donating almost everything that I owned in February 29, 2012, I’ve had the most amazing magic carpet ride of life experiences for the past 31 months.
I spent three months traveling across the United States doing volunteer work with my brother David with our passion project A Summer To Serve.
I miraculously managed to grow my coaching business and even throw a conference for over 100 men while traveling through over a dozen countries, sometimes for up to a month at a time. Yo, Thailand is bananas.
And I’ve gotten to study with, hang out with, and even LIVE WITH some of the world’s greatest teachers of sexuality, spirituality, marketing, entrepreneurship, public speaking, copywriting, mindset, and health.
I’ve been on a living spree.
It’s with mixed feelings that I write this post, since I’m simultaneously experiencing the death of one amazing life and the birth of another.
Travel has given me everything I’ve ever wanted and then some.
There are so many more life lessons that I could write about, but here are the most important 31 Things I’ve Learned From 31 Months Of Nonstop Travel.
1. Most Human Beings Are The Same
Over the past 31 months I’ve shared a living space with over a hundred different human beings. And for the most part, we are all the same.
People all over the world are just people.
We all eat. We all poop. We all celebrate.
We all do something to create value in the world. We all want to have the best for our families. We all do things to have fun.
We are all the same. Every human is an equal.
Infinite potential to love and create in every single one of us.
And when we start to forget that, that’s when people start dying in large numbers.
2. Everything Works Out Perfectly
There were days on the road where I didn’t know where I was going to sleep or what I was going to do the next day, but every time something worked out.
Over time I’ve gotten more and more bold with traveling without a plan and it feels like it’s gotten better over time.
When I was in my twenties, I was a meticulous planner. My vacations were planned without an hour of unplanned time.
Then I learned through experience that I could just show up and everything would work out perfectly.
In fact, oftentimes things work out even better than had you planned them.
You can’t plan for magic.
3. If You Know What You’re Doing, Travel Is Free
Here’s a little secret…
I’ve been living like a millionaire for the past several years on a budget of around $30,000 a year.
That’s it. Seriously.
I never pay for flights since Chris Guillebeau taught me how to travel hack.
I never pay for lodging since a lot of people love me and they enjoy having me stay with them in their homes.
So the only costs of travel for me have been trains, subways, buses, and the occasional flight in between cities in foreign countries.
I’ve been living all over the world for about what it was costing me to rent my one bedroom apartment in New Jersey before I sold everything.
Travel is not expensive. You’re just choosing to pay for things that you don’t have to.
4. Goodbyes Are Part Of The Human Experience
I’ve said goodbye to someone I love several hundred times over the past three years.
Goodbyes at conferences, goodbyes at Burning Man, and goodbyes at airports.
Goodbyes to lovers, goodbyes to parents, and goodbyes to strangers who I’ve poured my heart out to in workshops.
At first it was really difficult. I used to miss everyone so much after we parted ways.
Then I realized that they are always with me in spirit. Whether or not they are still here in their physical form.
We all have to say goodbye at some point.
5. Gurus, Experts, Bestselling Authors, And Millionaires Aren’t That Special
I’ve stayed with some pretty amazing people over the past 31 months.
They’ve written the books that you’ve read. They’ve created the programs and workshops that have changed your life. And they’ve given the speeches that have forever altered the way that you look at your existence.
To this day I sometimes look at the circle that I keep and I think, “How the hell did this happen?”
Yes, I’m extremely fortunate.
But I’ve also learned that none of these people are really all that special.
They have bad habits. They don’t have everything in order. They curse, fart, stress out, and sometimes drink too much.
And they all look like hell in the morning.
But that’s because they are human, just like you.
One of the greatest gifts that I’ve gotten from some of the highest performing people in the world is seeing the behind the scenes into their lives which has given me the permission to do the same.
And that’s what I try to do for you every time I open up the door and give you a glimpse into my life.
I want you to know that I’m not that special either.
6. You Don’t Need To Do What Everyone Else Is Doing
When I first started traveling I thought I always had to do what the group was doing. Which meant sometimes going to bars and clubs that I didn’t really enjoy or watching my friends spend money at the local mall.
The more that I traveled though, the more I started doing what I actually wanted to do.
So sometimes when my friends invite me out to dinner with them I say Yes. And sometimes I say No.
Just because you’re traveling with someone or staying at their house doesn’t mean you have to do everything together.
In fact, oftentimes the time apart is much needed and a breath of fresh air before you hit the next stop on your adventures.
7. Always Give Your Hosts The Option Of Saying No
Anytime I email a friend to ask if I can stay with them for sometimes a day or sometimes I week, I always add this magical phrase:
“If not, then no worries.”
I always adamantly let my friends know that they don’t have to say Yes and that they can kick me out at any time. I almost encourage it.
Having someone open up their home for you is an extremely kind gesture. Sheets need to be washed, schedules need to be cleared, and food has to be purchased.
If you’re one of the dozens of hosts I’ve stayed with over the past 31 months, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that you let me into your life like that.
And always know that you can say No at any time when I ask. Or when anybody asks for that matter.
8. It’s OK To Let People Love On You
One of my greatest lessons from travel has been learning how to be open to receiving.
When I first started traveling I felt so guilty about letting people host me or cook me dinner. Which is funny because I regularly hosted people at my apartment in New Jersey and I even let my three best friends live with me for free when I bought my first house in Arizona.
I don’t know if you’re the same way, but I absolutely love hosting people over my house for dinner or a sleepover.
Then why did I feel so guilty when people offered the same for me?
Because most of us are poor receivers.
We don’t think we are worthy or deserving of being loved on now that we are adults.
We think that we have to do it all on our own now that we aren’t kids anymore. And when someone tries to do something nice for us, we shrug it off for no reason.
Do you have trouble receiving? Just travel for a couple of months and you’ll get that knocked out of you in no time.
9. The Journey Begins When You Buy The Ticket
I’ve seen this happen time after time.
Someone buys a ticket to either Thailand or Burning Man or World Domination Summit and all of a sudden, everything in their life starts to shift.
Even weeks before the trip they will start living a little more adventurously or start losing weight unexpectedly. Why?
Because they made a commitment.
You can talk about traveling, do research online, interview your friends who’ve done it, and even save money for it.
But the journey begins when you buy the ticket.
10. The Best Things In Life Happen In Person
I’ve built a business that has directly impacted hundreds of men and touched thousands of people all over the world in the time that it takes some people to get a website designed.
When I look at what has propelled my life into the fast lane more than anything, it’s this one fact.
I’m out in the world a lot.
You can find me at World Domination Summit, AwesomenessFest, SXSW, Burning Man, The Instigator Experience, book tours, workshops, potlucks, and anywhere else where “my people” congregate.
And I don’t just attend events, I regularly create them.
I’ve facilitated workshops all over the country. I’ve hosted dozens of meetups for entrepreneurs all over the world, some of which have gotten over a hundred people to show up to a random bar on a Tuesday night.
And I’ve made grilled cheese sandwiches and helped my friends’ kids with their homework.
Get out of your house immediately.
Unless you don’t want any more clients, friends, mentors, or potential business partners.
11. The World Is Your Playground, Gymnasium, And Dance Floor
When I first started traveling I gained a little weight. Without regular access to a gym, I started to get a little soft.
Then I realized that the entire world is a big playground for me to do exercises on.
When I’m in New York City, I do pullups on the scaffolding all over Manhattan. When a friend has some kettlebells or any kind of dumbbells, I do a full body workout. When I see a nice stretch of sand or grass, I do some sprints.
All you need to do to stay in shape is move a lot and lift heavy stuff.
And you don’t need a gym to do that.
12. Any Bed Is A Good Bed
In the course of 24 hours this past June, Liz and I went from staying at a four star resort in Sedona to a spare bedroom in a house full of college students in Tucson.
And they were both great places to stay.
When you don’t own any furniture, any bed is a good bed.
And I’ve slept in everything from the finest sheets and pillows to the grimiest couches and sofas.
I’m thankful for all the nights that I didn’t sleep in the nicest surroundings. It’s going to make my king sized memory foam mattress all that more comfortable.
13. You Won’t Die From Sleeping On The Ground
And speaking of beds, I’ve learned that sleeping without a bed doesn’t kill you. It’s actually kind of fun.
The day after The Conference For Men, I spent the night at Zana’s house on the floor in a sleeping bag next to Max. Even though I had just wrapped up the most important event of my life and changed the lives of over a hundred men, I was happily sleeping on the floor next to one of my buddies like a little kid at a sleepover.
The thing that keeps most people from making it to where they want to go is their very little tolerance for pain and uncertainty.
Sleeping on the floor takes that out of you a little.
14. The Best Place To Find Yourself Is In Nature
We live in a world of many distractions.
Do you want to find your life’s purpose?
Then go hang out in nature for a while and leave your cell phone at home.
I’ve had some of the best ideas come to me while watching sunsets or hiking through forests.
The more I learn about life, the more my body craves the outdoors. The grass under my bare feet, the sun in my face, and the roar of the ocean.
There’s a feeling that I get in my body when I’m outdoors that is unlike anything else.
It feels like freedom.
15. Bring Food Wherever You Go
Whether you’re traveling the world or commuting to world every day, you should always have some food stashed away just in case.
I’ve learned to always have some protein bars, brazil nuts, or dried fruit in my backpack.
Because when you make a habit of saying Yes to life, you don’t always have time to run to the store first.
16. Buy A Laundry Bag
Buy a simple laundry bag to keep your clean clothes separate from your dirty clothes.
Liz bought this one after her first month on the road with me. It changed her life.
17. Use A Blanket Or A Sheet As A Makeshift Laundry Basket
Why are there two lessons just on laundry?
Because doing laundry on the road is a whole new experience.
Ask any long-term traveler and you’ll find them full of all sorts of home hacks and workarounds to getting their everyday necessities taken care of.
A couple years ago I needed to carry a load of laundry from the dryer to the apartment I was staying at. The only thing that worked to carry all of my clothes was a sheet.
And a disruptive innovation in the laundry basket space was created.
One of the fun parts about travel is making things work out of nothing. This skill has directly translated into all areas of my life as I often make things work out of nothing.
18. Don’t Stop Taking Pictures
When I first started traveling, I took pictures of everything.
Then I went through a phase where I slowed down to almost nothing.
Do you know the main reason why?
I was actually a little guilty of how awesome my life had gotten and I didn’t want to make people think I was bragging.
What a silly reason to stop taking snapshots of my life that I could look back on in ten or twenty years.
Now I take pictures of almost everything. Most of them I don’t even publish.
But now I have the memories forever to look back upon any time I want.
19. Being A World Traveler Is A Sexy Identity That Leads To More Sex
When I would meet women at conferences, workshops, or nightclubs and they asked me what I did, the responses ranged from: “Oh, I’m just driving across the country doing volunteer work all over the United States this summer” to “I’ve been traveling the world nonstop since February 2012 just doing stuff that makes me happy.”
As the words “traveling the world” left my lips I would see her eyes get bigger, I’d see the blood rush into her cheeks, and I’d feel the feeling of turn-on in her body.
If you’re into having sex, then have something sexy to talk about.
If you don’t have anything sexy to talk about, then start doing some sexy stuff immediately.
Becoming sexy is just a choice.
And let me tell you, travel is sexy as fuck.
20. Substance Abuse Can Easily Get Out Of Control On The Road
I spent a month partying across the United States and Europe to celebrate one of my best friend’s 40th birthdays last year.
I literally drank every night for a month.
Without the structure of a job and no place to be it’s pretty easy for life to turn into a nonstop party.
Being an epic partier was something that helped open a lot of doors for me early on. I’d find myself having shots with people who I had previously only seen on Tim Ferriss’s blog or on Forbes.com.
But I definitely lost my balance early on and it took a couple of years to find my way back into harmony with drugs and alcohol.
Nothing is inherently “good” or “bad.”
But how good do you want to feel when you wake up every morning?
21. Your Best Friend Only Turns 40 Once
I’ve said Yes to a lot of crazy stuff over the past 31 months.
That trip in March and April of 2013 was one of them.
But I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life. And either will Dan.
22. You Don’t Need A Majority Of Your Stuff
I will be forever grateful that I made the decision to get rid of all of my stuff when I did. I’m also extremely grateful that Liz did that earlier this year.
Because something that you learn while living on the road is that you really don’t need most of the stuff that you own.
In fact, some would even say that it owns you.
We are moving into our new condo today and nearly everything that we own fits in our cars. We ordered our bed on Amazon and that’s all we are going to buy for a while.
We aren’t in a rush to fill our place up with stuff. And we’re going to enjoy the open space while slowly and mindfully bringing items into our home.
Everything in your house right now is taking up space, both physical and mental.
How much of your stuff is actually still providing value in your life? And how much of it are you clinging onto because you’re afraid to let go of the past?
Remember what I said up above at #4?
We all have to say goodbye at some point.
23. Mansions Are Just Another Place To Sleep
I’ve lived in several mansions over the past couple of years. Absolute dream homes.
In fact, we even hosted a retreat in one.
And I’m so grateful to have the experience of living in a mansion to realize that it’s not for me. At least not right now.
As much as I loved the feeling of waking up in a house that could easily sleep 20, after a couple of nights it was just another place to sleep.
So I’m glad I got to test drive a mansion early on in life to know that I actually prefer a space that’s a little bit smaller and closer to beautiful scenery and beautiful people.
And to me, the idea of living in a mansion doesn’t feel like freedom.
It feels a little more like a trap.
24. The United States Is Full Of So Much Diversity And Beauty
The United States has blown me away.
The variety of food and culture across our 50 states. The natural beauty of our national parks.
Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming are like driving through a postcard.
Some of my most special moments were in random towns in the middle of nowhere. The life there is simple, the people are beyond friendly, and the food is delicious.
I plan on driving across the country several more times in the future. There are hidden gems all over this country and a richness that changes from state to state.
And you don’t even need a passport.
25. Living With Someone Is An Intimate And Special Way To Get To Know Them
I’m typing this from Amy Porterfield’s dining room table. She’s easily one of the sweetest people I’ve met in the past year.
She also one of the most well-known experts in Facebook Marketing. And Liz and I just had a sleepover at her house!
Something special happens when you make breakfast together in the morning or go to the grocery store together. You become family.
My family by blood is small. But I’ve been growing my family by choice like crazy over the past 31 months.
And just because I have a home now doesn’t mean I won’t stop having sleepovers.
26. Get Grounded Through Your Rituals
Ask any traveler what their biggest complaint is and oftentimes is the feeling of not being grounded. When I first started, I felt like I was all over the place.
Then I learned that if I have the right rituals in place, I can feel “at home” anywhere I go.
Having the same breakfast every morning has helped.
Playing the gratitude game in bed with Liz before we go to sleep has helped.
And listening to certain music while I write or doing the same yoga practice has helped as well.
Whether it’s a meditation practice, a journaling practice, or calling a friend every morning to start your day, having something that’s consistent in your life will help you to have that feeling of groundedness to carry you throughout the day.
27. It’s Nearly Impossible To Work And Travel At The Same Time
You can build and scale an impressive business. Or you can build some impressive photo albums and scale some impressive mountains.
Life on the road means you’re constantly living in the flow of the moment.
Sometimes I don’t have internet access. Sometimes I have to take phone calls in the bathroom.
I once took a coaching call in the back of an RV on the way to Burning Man.
Very, very few entrepreneurs can build a business while traveling. There’s just so much uncertainty that makes scheduling regular meetings or checking in with employees that much more difficult.
Several of my friends have done it, but it always comes at a cost.
I’m really looking forward to having a strong foundation to build something substantial over the next year.
28. Having A Home Base Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Get To Travel Anymore
Just because I just signed a one year lease doesn’t mean I have to hand my passport in.
I’m a big fan of having your cake and eating it too.
Getting married doesn’t mean you can’t travel anymore.
Signing a lease, buying furniture, and having a mailing address doesn’t mean you can’t travel anymore.
I like to look at any choice and instead of asking WHICH of these two can I have, I like to ask if I can have BOTH.
So in this case, I can have a home base AND still have a life full of travel and adventure.
I just get to go home in between trips again.
29. Comparison Is The Thief Of Joy
I got to celebrate with Chris Guillebeau in Norway as he became one of the few people alive to visit every single country in the world.
If I compare myself to Chris, I haven’t even scratched the surface of travel.
But why would I do that?
You can read articles about people who have been traveling the world and feel bad about yourself.
Or you can just buy a ticket and start your own journey in whatever way feels the most true to you.
Making comparisons is a big waste of time.
30. Travel Is Life’s Greatest Classroom
I lived in my hometown of Tucson, AZ for the first 27 years of my life.
And I’ve learned more about life in the past 31 months than I did in the first 31 years of my life.
Travel teaches you some of life’s greatest lessons.
- Be present.
- Trust.
- Let go.
- Take the leap.
- Step outside your comfort zone.
- Try something new.
- Drink more tequila.
I think the greatest gift that travel has given me though is that of Openness.
Everywhere I go, I just see people.
I see myself in the eyes of whoever is looking back at me.
And that’s something that you just can’t learn in a classroom.
31. Read Less, Do More
Wow! You made it all the way to #31.
Thank you so much. It’s an honor that you’ve read these 4000+ words that I just put out into the world. Reading the words of a few adventurous souls has completely changed my perspective on life.
But what I really want for you the most is for you to actually DO something with your one wild and precious life.
I want you to artfully live your life in a way that inspires me to grow and stretch even more.
I want to be reading your story next year while I sit in my condo in Carlsbad.
I want you to create a life story worth writing about.
And you’re not going to read your way into it. You’re going to do it.
Yes, we have to all say goodbye at some point.
Don’t say your last goodbye with any regrets.
The journey begins when you buy the ticket.
###
PS – If this article touched you in any way, I’d love it if you shared it on social media with your favorite life lesson as the caption.
Mike Hrostoski, The Men’s Coach, helps high performing men master their relationships with their women and their work. And he’s on a mission to make the world a better place one man at a time.
After the sudden passing of his mother, Mike left a lucrative career in human resources and took a full year off to do things that filled him with joy. After spending 2012 doing hundreds of hours of pro-bono coaching and traveling 12,000 miles across the United States doing volunteer work on a summer volunteer road trip, he launched his coaching business and operates it from all over the world. He was a digital nomad from February 2012 until October 2014 and spent 2013 traveling and working across three continents, eight countries and dozens of cities. Learn more about Mike at hrostoski.com.
What I Love about Mercury Retrograde
Mercury is again in retrograde! It will be in retrograde from October 4th to the 25th. When I tell my clients and friends that Mercury is about to go into retrograde they immediately give me a look of panic, and they all say the same thing, “Mercury is always going retrograde!” Yes, it would seem so, but actually it goes into retrograde only about three or four times a year. Most of us know that when Mercury is in retrograde it has a huge impact on communication, electronics, and anything that moves, cars, trains, plane, etc. We know that we should pay closer attention to detail, not start new projects, not sign contracts and always make sure our cell phones are charged, and, whatever we do, no drunk texting. That can be very dangerous!
But…have you thought about the benefits that Mercury in Retrograde can offer?
What I love about Mercury in Retrograde is the fact that it gives us the opportunity to slow down our busy and sometimes crazy lives. It can force us to slow down and rethink the plans we have made, especially when we are going through rough times. Mercury in Retrograde can make us feel like we are being dragged through the mud, but if we pay close attention we will come to know that Mercury has many gifts to offer during this time.
Let’s explore the many wonders that Mercury Retrograde can bring:
1. Rekindling relationships with loved ones – One of the most common things to happen during Mercury Retrograde is running into people we have not seen for a while, especially old flames, for whom the torch we carry has not died out, as well as connecting with friends and family. I have a good friend that I only see when Mercury happens to be in retrograde. The funny thing is, when we do see each other often it is during this time period, and we always seem to have a great time.
2. Traveling to our favorite destinations – I know people try to avoid traveling during this time, but many of those who do travel often visit places that wind up becoming their favorite vacation spots, which they will definitely be going back to again.
3. Catching up on stuff - Because this period can slow down projects, we often delay plans and at times feel as though we are in suspension mode. Yet Mercury in Retrograde can also give us a chance catch up on things that we have been putting off, things we just could not find time for or have been avoiding. We often find that the universe steps in and gives us the extra push we need. In the end, completing that project usually ends up being a blessing. It’s always good to feel a sense of accomplishment!
4. The truth shall set you free – This is a big one! For those of us that are soul-searching, this can be a great time to go within to find our inner truths. Somehow the answers that we may be seeking and the clarity we are searching for can come our way.
So, Mercury Retrograde? Bring it on!
Sabrina is a natural born healer, medium and psychic. She works with spirit guides to help you find answers and clarity along your journey. Check out Sabrina’s website for more info on personal readings (she Skypes!) and other great info. She’s on Twitter and Facebook too!
Three Fun And Free Apps We Love
Here are some fun and free apps that got us excited:
Checky – As one of my continuing goals is to keep an eye on my technology obsession, I was excited to find out about Checky. Simply, this app counts how many times you check your phone per day. It runs in the background and pushes you the results the next day at noon. Even if you are like me and can’t control your need to look at your phone, you still may be shocked by the results. Day 1 = 116 times. I REALLY checked my phone 116 times?! Ok, I need to work on that… Luckily, knowledge is power.
Happify – Happify is a great app (and site) that helps train your brain to be happier through science backed games and activities. It’s based on the idea that happiness is a skill and in order to keep it strong, you need to continually exercise the muscles. The games are fun, easy and fast enough to do while waiting for a coffee. The free version has new activities available daily, while the paid version unlocks every activity possible.
Imojiapp – I love emojis. I just do. I even love using them in random situations when they make no sense because they are just that cute. Imagine my excitement when I found an app that helps you create your own. You can turn any picture into an emoji with a few easy cuts from a photo you’ve taken or something from the web. The Imojiapp is currently only for iOS, but an Android app is in the works. Here are some of my favorite recent creations:
Six Little Words to Remember
When I was in my mid-twenties, a girlfriend and I enrolled in a drawing class at the local community college. She and I worked in the same office, so once a week when the closing bell rang, we’d carpool over to the school to indulge our creative genius. I think she was there because she wanted to become a better artist. I was there because I thought I might meet a cute guy.
I did not meet any eligible bachelors, but I did learn a lot about drawing—and life—from my professor. Frankly, I think he would have liked to teach more about the latter than the former. I remember one night, he went into great detail about the benefits of eating a macrobiotic diet. Another, he talked about the importance of changing your perspective—and how he often laid on the floor and looked up at his dog to feel what it was like to reverse their roles. The night I turned in my final sketchbook, he told me my skin was radiant. I think I radiated beet red after that.
He shared quite a lot with our class, but what stuck with me the most were six little words he said to help us ease into the artistic process.
Slow down.Breathe.Relax into it.
The reason they stuck with me was that they could be applied to so many situations. Maybe every situation…
Think about it: If you’re in conflict with someone, don’t things end on a better note when you slow down and breathe? If you’re doing something scary for the first time—like giving a speech or writing an email to someone you just met on an online dating site—doesn’t it ease the tension if you take a few deep inhales and exhales and relax into the process? Some people, like my friend Mike, would probably even say this is a great mantra for sex.
I think this approach has universal applications. The trick is remembering to apply it.
After my teacher shared this advice with us, I wrote it on a sticky note and kept it at my desk while I worked as an advertising copywriter. When I would get anxious about crafting the perfect headline or coming up with a winning ad concept, I’d remind myself that the best way to get into the zone and access creativity was to follow those six words. It worked like a charm.
Where do you think it would benefit you to slow down, breathe, and relax into it? Or are you already using this approach somewhere in your life and seeing success? Do tell!
Melissa Maris is a freelance writer and life coach who specializes in manifesting, dating, stress relief, and creative problem solving. She recently fled the bright lights of Hollywood with her hubby to pursue a more wholesome life in the wine country north of Santa Barbara. Learn more about her philosophies and coaching at thepathtowonderful.com.
Astrology Realness: Hey New Moon, Balance This!
When the Libra New Moon comes along and asks us all to attain some greater balance in our lives, I’m like, “Really bitch? How?”
I write this to you at 11:11 pm, after a remarkably long day. Hell, it has been a remarkably long week. But it has been full of very rewarding activities. I’m helping to wrap up delivery on a feature film that will be released in less than a month. I am working on producing a short film that is shooting in less than three weeks. I am starting to get into early prep mode on a short that I wrote and plan to direct in December. I am working on blog posts. I am reading charts for astrology clients. I am trying to get my health insurance changed. I am working out every day and meditating every morning. I am taking care of my dog and spending quality time with my man. I am seeing friends and making time to check in with my family. Now I am sure some version of this sounds familiar to you, as you could also probably fill up a paragraph with all the things that you’re juggling in your life. So when the Libra New Moon comes along and asks us all to attain some greater balance in our lives, I’m like, “Really bitch? How?”
Well, the Libra New Moon wants you to keep moving forward on all the important things you’re trying to execute with your life, but in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you. With so much movement right now, it’s important to take the time to prioritize and bring some structure to the way you’re handling all of your tasks and responsibilities. Libra is also about working with a partner. So don’t feel like you have to take on everything alone. You have others to help you lighten the load. You just have to get out of your own head and way long enough to turn and ask for help.
Take stock of everything you got going on and see if it’s all a necessity right now.
At this time, there is also a shift trying to happen, to urge you more into your authenticity. But it’s forcing you to let go of certain elements of you that you thought were in it for the long haul. Be willing to say goodbye to those pieces of your psyche that were really just poor, stubborn habits. If you can do so, you will find yourself open up to more creativity, not just in what you do but also in how you approach continuing to build the person you want to be.
All of this is in the name of bringing more balance into your life. So take stock of everything you got going on and see if it’s all a necessity right now. If it is, then maybe you need to schedule yourself better so that you can fit it all in, but in a way that doesn’t make you hallucinate from sleep deprivation. Perhaps you just need to start putting everything into a calendar. Or again, maybe someone else can help you juggle it better. Just re-evaluate and see. Note that Mercury will be going retrograde on October 4th, so try to get some of this shift into motion before then. If not, you may just fall apart a bit. And that won’t be cute.
Let’s dig a little deeper into each sign here.
Angel Lopez, the author of Astrology Realness, gives you the astrological truth with a dash of humor and a serving of empathy. Since finding the daily horoscope in the back of his local newspaper at age five, he realized that he had “the gift” and has been a professional astrologer for more than a decade. He reads for clients all over the world and hosted the AOL astrology show, ASTRO TALK WITH ANGEL. Angel also works in film and is an avid music lover. You can follow him @ariessoul30.
Diving into the Great Unknown
I’m currently sitting on a friend’s couch going over a checklist of assorted items you might find on some sort of ultimate survival course: water purifiers, malaria tablets, and lithium battery chargers.
This couch is also doubling as my bed this week because, as it seems, I have no home. I also have no job, no car, definitely no 401K, and, in about 24 hours, probably no cell phone either.
The strange thing about all of this is that last week none of it would have been true. Last week, I worked a 9 to 5, got happy hour with college friends, and let my laundry pile up so high that I had to sheepishly ask CVS for 20 dollars in quarters.
But my life is about to change.
Tomorrow, I’ll get on a one way flight to Cartagena, Colombia. I’ll bring 3,000 dollars, a GoPro, a Canon 7D, my laptop, a ridiculously cool hat, and an insatiable curiosity about the world.
I’ve made a deliberate choice to leave this life entirely in pursuit of something that is not yet tangible to me, something that offers no security or guarantees but, instead, presents exponential chances for adventure and limitless possibilities.
And with those possibilities also comes an immense opportunity for failure, whichever way you choose to define what failure is. I’ve made a choice to strike out at what I truly want rather than wonder about it, but I have no idea what is to follow.
I remember that much of this decision was made after a pivotal moment on a car ride home from Las Vegas (seeing as we all know Las Vegas is the perfect place to induce an existential life crisis). I realized that I wasn’t doing anything I really, really wanted to do with my life. Yes, I liked my job more than most, and I was grateful for the life I had, but there was a whole cacophony of pursuits that lay on the wayside. I’d made so many excuses about why none of them ever came to fruition.
Ultimately, there were various blockades to these goals (resources, time, energy, Netflix) but the greatest limitation was of my own making: I had a crippling fear of failing, of being vulnerable enough to be criticized.
And the thing about shying away from vulnerability is that you also miss something else—being seen. You miss everything that you could be and want to be in order to stay in a position that feels safe.
It often seems that the things we hold closest to our hearts are also the pursuits that scare us the most, and so we hide them away, as if never trying for them would be less painful than trying for them to no avail.
But eventually, that unsettling feeling gets to you in a quiet moment, and you end up thinking to yourself, “This is not enough.” This whisper can only happen so many times before it feels like someone is shouting it into your ear with a megaphone.
So, tomorrow, after months and months of planning, after selling my car, after packing up everything I own into the garages of a few generous friends and family members, I’ll begin a life experiment. I’ll be finding stories, writing, making videos, taking photos, and pretty much following the wind, doing my best to keep fear from constraining me. This is my business plan: to do what I love and see where it leads.
I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was absolutely terrified of the future, of where I’ll be in six months, of ending up on a friends couch for an awkwardly long duration of time, of finding myself locked up abroad in a Venezuelan jailhouse in a simple case of mistaken identity, but I think this all started with one simple question, and it will be the question that carries me through: Why not me? Why can’t I live the life I’ve always dreamed of? There are people out there doing it, living these lives that many of us fantasize about. They must have started somewhere.
I’m of the belief that we aren’t all that different—that the disparity of our talents and intellect isn’t so vast, but instead it’s circumstance and conditioning that determines much of our future. However, I also hope that circumstance can be trumped by an undying belief in the limitless possibilities of your life. Perhaps, the pursuit alone is worth it. Perhaps it’s the risks we take on ourselves and our dreams that matter to us later, that define our lives, whether they work out the way we imagined or not.
It remains to be seen for me.
I’d like to believe I might have a purpose in life, that we all do, and something tells me I’m not entirely living it just yet. So, I’m seeking it out and taking you along for the ride.
Come roam with me!
Nicole Baffa is an aspiring writer, photographer, and explorer. She is currently on a journey through South America. You can follow her at www.baffaloroams.com.
Here’s What I learned By Starting All Over Again
Words truly do have power. I believe that hearing just the right message at just the right time can completely change a person’s life, which was part of the catalyst for me in making big changes in my own life over the last couple years.
2012 was a rough year for me. My marriage fell apart and the career that I had invested so much in was going a bit haywire. It was as if my life was crumbling down so I could build it back up anew. And on my birthday that year, a dear friend sent me this quote from the movie ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’:
“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
Here’s what really got me – “I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.”
That was it. Those were the words that sparked some sort of deeper understanding in me that I really do have the power ‘to start all over again. It felt so freeing but also utterly terrifying at the same time. My mind came up with all kinds of excuses to keep me doing what I’d always done:
* You’ve invested so much time to get where you are – why would you risk it all?
* How could you ever make money doing what you love?
* What are people going to think of you for doing something like THAT?
* All that education down the drain, because you want to follow a dream?
Any of these sound familiar? These were my top tunes.
What I’ve come to learn over the last two years is that perspective is everything. I actually don’t believe any of my top tunes anymore…because all of these thoughts, while they sound well-meaning, are actually designed to keep me small.
These types of thoughts come from a very primal part of our brain that is designed to keep us safe (think fight or flight) but all they really do is lead to over-thinking and coming up with endless ‘what if’ scenarios so that we stay safe in the life we’ve always known.
But the truth is, living the life I wanted wouldn’t happen by staying in my comfort zone. In fact it required many leaps of faith – some big, some small, all necessary, to get me where I am today.
Here’s what I’ve learned over the last several months as I’ve followed a dream and settled into a new home, started a business, and been navigating change almost daily:
* Following a dream, which often requires big change, is designed to be uncomfortable because it’s really meant to expand you – to expand your comfort zone, to expand your life for all the good it can bring.
* It will bring up possibly every insecurity you have. Your new normal is really ‘being comfortable with being uncomfortable,’ but the more you show up and commit to your dream the quicker the insecurities fade.
* The number one key to changing your life: change your thinking. You get to choose how you think so why not start to think in a more empowered way? Use your imagination, question your thoughts – how can the opposite of your tiny/safe thought be true? Then you come up with proof of how this new thought could be true. The brain always needs proof.
Here’s one of mine.
Rather than:
‘I’ve invested so much time to get where I am’
How about?
‘I’ve invested so much time to get me where I’m going.’
ROOF: All the time invested: life experiences, work experiences, educational experiences, everything I’ve learned through them are all helping me in my next endeavor. Nothing is ever wasted.
PROOF: this website, this blog.
And THAT feels so much better than my safe thought. This kind of empowered thinking is what will help me continue to live an authentic life and push me to step out in courageous ways toward my dreams. It is exactly what will work for you too!
So, here I sit, two years later almost to the day that I received that quote. My life now is almost unrecognizable to what it was at this time in 2012. I’ve felt the highest of highs and the lowest of lows but I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. They got me to where I am today, living a life that I’m proud of.
Laura is a life coach, teacher, writer, and lover of all things personal development. She has spent over ten years training & coaching others to be their best at work and is on a mission to help others navigate change to create careers and lives they love. To learn more about Laura‘s philosophies and coaching, check out her website and connect with her on Facebook.
Must Read: The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks
I first encountered The Big Leap a few years back in a spiritual book club of sorts, and couldn’t put it down! Written by Gay Hendricks, it talks about fear and resistance in terms of “upper limiting”: the ways in which we keep ourselves from reaching our full potential.
The great thing about The Big Leap is that it puts the power in our own hands. No longer is fear a gigantic monster that is somewhere outside of us. Instead, it’s a barrier that we ourselves create. If we can create it, we can also release it- and on the other side of that release lies the next level of our passions and desires.
My copy of The Big Leap is so well worn, that some of the phrases and vernacular have woven into my everyday speech. It’s a great reminder of the power we have to create the realities that we desire and live life at our highest potential. I hope you enjoy!
This Must Read is from our friend, Katie, who you can follow on Twitter.
