Tag Archive for: soul

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Barefoot in Bangkok

Greetings from Bangkok,

As I write this blog, I sit curbside and barefoot on the vibrant Koh San Road, Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” coming through my earphones mixing in with the chaotic sounds of tuk tuks beeping their horns and weaving through the crowd of back packers, food trucks and wandering dogs. In the back of my mind I am brought to the opening scene of “The Beach” where Leonardo DiCaprio zig zagged in and out of the dark watering holes of this very street. It’s midnight and I’ve just arrived after spending a sleepless night with friends back home in Venice Beach, California. Tonight is a special night for me, as it marks the very beginning of my Gypsy Wanderlust Soul Journey. A one way ticket with no time frame and no destination other than following my path as it lies brightly illuminated before me. 

I made the journey from Los Angeles to this backpacker section of the city barefoot. Yep, to and through LAX, on to Tokyo right to Koh San Road, Bangkok, barefoot. Pretty ironic since just less than 5 years ago you wouldn’t see me in anything but high-heeled Prada or some other over priced designer shoes. Funny how life can literally spin on its heels and shift your world. So why though, why am I barefoot in Bangkok? It’s an interesting story, and one you may even relate to. 

A few months ago before I made the decision to finally embark upon this dream of mine, I was on a two-week vacation here in Thailand. I was staying in a quiet, little beachside town in the northern part of Koh Phangan. The second I arrived I slipped right into island mode with the locals and ex pat community. I met the best group of angel travelers in that peaceful enclave. These are the very people who inspired me to finally do this. Let go of my home town comforts, shoes and all, and set sail into the unknown. To travel from where I am, to who I am and follow the current. Even if just for a little while. 

Our lives can become so structured and sometimes it’s difficult to breathe into ourselves. We all have responsibilities. Rent, work, school, kids… life. I was so caught up in that cycle a few years ago. My life was insanely intense. I felt like a hamster on a wheel. I worked hard, I played hard, I even practiced my yoga hard. I was putting so much energy to a system I didn’t even vibrate with. I felt like I was losing sight of me. I was more concerned about who I was wearing, rather than who I was.

When I moved from New York City to Los Angeles is when I first said goodbye to the system and the matrix. I jumped off the hamster wheel and let go. I gave notice to my job, let go of my six figure salary, sold most of my stuff and moved to Los Angeles with nothing more than two suitcases, 4 boxes and large mortgage I had to somehow figure out how to pay. It was a bold move but I went forward, fearless with a heart full of faith.

And that’s what brings me here today. Since that day, I’ve been playing with a new set of rules. More like, no rules. I can remember days sitting in my office in Manhattan dreaming of doing just this. And as a testament to the commitment to walking my path, I made a deal with one of my fellow Wanderlust travel friends, that the day I finally do it, I go full on, Barefoot to Bangkok! So I paired down my possessions once again. This time to eight boxes. There is something so cathartic about doing that. I even sold a pair of $750 Louie Vuitton high heels for $88! I won’t be needing them here in Thailand.

The point is, I’m living my dream. It may not be your dream. But you have a dream too. And I invite you to not let your dreams fade into the distance. Because the days turn into months and the months turn into years; and you find yourself in the same place with your dreams slipping away. It took me a decade to do this, but I’m doing it. My prayer to you is that you reach out, go for it with faith and courage. Let go of fear and doubt. Because fear and doubt are fate killers. When you slip into fear mode you get out of synch with the universal rhythms. Stay in synch and allow the journey to unfold. And know there is a way through every block.

Now your turn, I’d love to hear from you. In the comments below let us know…

Have you ever left your comfort zone to follow your dreams? What exactly did you do?

What beliefs do you think may be getting in the way of your dreams?

As always, thank you for reading, watching and contributing. I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say on this topic as it’s a really important one!

Dream On and Shine Your Light,

Jewels

Shine By Jewels

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From Corporate America to Wanderlust

From Corporate America to Wanderlust | My Spiritual Pilgrimage

Wanderlust (n) A strong, irresistible desire to travel unexplored lands and the inner soul.

Today, as I write this blog, I am about to leave my comfortable home and life in sunny Marina Del Rey | Venice Beach, California. Some ask me, “Why are you leaving this? You have a wonderful life here in Los Angeles” And I do. I live in a lovely home with water views, I teach yoga, have a reiki / chakra balance studio in Santa Monica, a slew of friends. Life is great! Yet I can’t shake this urge to spread my wings and fly, seek, experience and explore.

 As early as I can remember, I had powerful desire to travel. My favorite books as a child were those about colorful, brave characters who nomadically roamed through exotic lands.

At six years, old I took my first out of the country trip for an entire summer to visit my mother’s side of the family in Athens, Greece. Immediately, I eased my way into this new culture. I enjoyed speaking the different language, eating new foods and soaking up the vibrant colors and smells of this exotic land.

Maybe it was that trip. Maybe it was having a mother who was from another country. I’m not sure, but I wanted more of this. I was not able travel out of the country again until I turned 19. And from that point on, I have been fortunate enough to travel every year.

As I observed the lifestyles of other cultures, I became disconnected with the American lifestyle and the American Dream. Work, work, work. Make money. Consume, consume, consume. More work. Retire. The cultures I enjoyed the most were the ones that focused much less on this and more on family, nature, and the simple pleasures of life. American Dream… It was a dream that was spoon fed to me, but something I just couldn’t swallow. I even tried to embrace this “normal” lifestyle. I got married, bought a home, had the big paying corporate gig with the fancy titles, I had a 15th floor, corner office at CBS Radio overlooking the vibrant streets of midtown Manhattan in New York City. Yet I found that none of this fulfilled me. I was filling my pocket-book, but depleting my soul. I was stressed out, unhealthy and exhausted.

As I circle back to my query, why? Why do I have this burning desire to roam and explore? I realize, that the open road makes me feel alive, free and vibrant. I gave the American Dream more than a good try. I worked for two decades in Corporate America. Today, I have reinvented myself and found a way to support my dream, my life and my pocketbook living out my destiny.

I’m heading off on a one-way ticket to Thailand and the beautiful countries of South East Asia. I have no time line. Maybe a year, maybe more, maybe less. I will be teaching yoga, meditation and holistic living both abroad and on-line. I’m on my spiritual journey

I’d love to share my experiences with you and perhaps even see you on the other side of the world at one of my holistic retreats. So if you haven’t already, sign up for the newsletter. I’ll also continue to record and post my favorite meditations and holistic tips designed to help align you in the highest vibration so you can live out your happiest, authentic life.

Shine Your Light,

Jewels


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The Year of the Wooden Horse

Welcome the Chinese New Year of the Wooden Horse

 

And brace yourself because she’ll be galloping off on the fast track!

The Wooden Horse year commences on the new moon, January 30. Off comes the skin from 2013’s Year of the snake, as we shed our of past and transform into new.  In this birth / rebirth cycle, we also emerge from the cycle of water, an introspective time where we dove deep within our souls and searched our inner spirit for our destined path and authenticity. Fresh and clear, we now emerge from the waters ready to leap into our new path.

 

Focus and Action

The time to sit and reflect was last year. This year is the year for dedicated work, purposeful action. Be clear and sharpen your intuition bbecause the year of the horse moves with energy and vigor. It can be a prosperous year if you pay close attention to your inner guidance and careful not to go off on a tangent. Wild horses can be free spirited and independent… but they are also fast, so be mindful before wildly racing in a direction that may not be best suited for your highest good. With careful attention, this year can be a thrilling ride of rapid favorable outcomes in money, love and adventure. It is also a great year to take that exotic trip you’ve been thinking about.

Key Takeaways 

Key takeaways… Stay clear, pay attention to your inner GPS and boldly shift forward. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not. Keep focused, with your eye on your goal and victory is yours!  

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