(To keep getting 8 Good Things, please add explorer@sojourn-intl.com to your email contacts.)

8 Good Things is a curated bi-weekly newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes. It is part of my commitment to serving a greater good. Please let me know if there is something you would like to share with my readers. Content falls into three buckets. Sojourn Explorers is about travel and exploration. Picture Happiness is about conscious living. Sojourn is about photography, storytelling, and the entertainment industry.

Make sure to scroll all the way down to see my upcoming trips and programs.

1Did you know? Niue, a tiny island nation in the South Pacific, has coins featuring Disney characters on one side and Queen Elizabeth on the other. The Polynesian island produced a limited number of these solid gold and silver coins in 2014. Ha, ha! A run of 1,000 silver Donald Duck coins sold out in seven minutes!

2 We Know Nature Makes Us Happier. Now Science Says It Makes Us Kinder Too. “New studies show being in nature may increase your willingness to be generous, trusting, and helpful towards others.” To this, I would say, true that. When you spend time outdoors notice how you feel after coming home and the next day. Chances are your feelings will be more positive, more uplifted, and more open towards those around you.

3Japanese “Forest Medicine” Is the Science of Using Nature to Heal Yourself—Wherever You Are. Another reason to get outdoors! “Research shows that trees really do have healing powers…The oils boost mood and immune system function; reduce blood pressure, heart rate, stress, anxiety, and confusion; improve sleep and creativity; and may even help fight cancer and depression.”

430 Highly Successful People Share Their New Year’s Resolutions for 2018. This is what success looks like! Even though we are getting into March, thought this would be a worthwhile article to share.

512 Questions You Probably Haven’t Asked Your Future Spouse But Should. A lot of good questions on this list—especially number eleven, knowing your life’s purpose and how your partner can fit into it. I have been in relationships where the two were not congruent. It was neither emotionally healthy nor fun.

611 Healthy Habits That Make You Emotionally Stronger. Number six is a big one for me, “dial in your sleep schedule.” Adults need seven to nine hours of sleep. This is the time when our mind and body restore and rejuvenate. Where do you think the saying I’ll sleep on it comes from? For me to keep pace with my life, a consistent nightly seven hours is my magic zone.

7WAKANDA! This photo is of the line at the Directors Guild for ‘Black Panther’ opening weekend! They screened the film three times. Usually, it is only once. I am always impressed when peers and colleagues turn out en masse to see a screening. As well, theaters around Hollywood had block-long lines of folks waiting to see the film. ‘Black Panther’ is the fastest Marvel film to hit $400 million. Check out the trailer and this article Here’s Why ‘Black Panther’ Can’t Be Stopped at the Box Office. One reason is its mass audience appeal.

8Okay, one more article. These Photos of Black Kids Watching ‘Black Panther’ Highlight Why This Was Needed. “To say diverse movies don’t sell is a myth. These movies do more than sell, they inspire.”

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say,
and what you do are in harmony.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi

Sojourn Expeditions

Photographic Safari and Mindfulness Workshops
Kenya | Botswana | Inquire About Dates

Breakfast with hippos floating around in the background, simply idyllic, and there is so much more to experience. Africa has long been my favorite place in the world, and I love sharing it with others. Great Plains Conservation’s Wild Studio was started by award-winning National Geographic filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert. Whether you are a pro or an amateur, you will have the extraordinary experience of photographing lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The best part is that there will be a veteran wildlife photographer there to give you tips on getting great shots. Leave with a fantastic portfolio of your wildlife adventure. Please join the Wild Studio Team and me on a uniquely curated safari that will tap into your true inner-photographer.

Greek Islands | Inquire About Dates
If you romanticize sailing and hiking the Greek Islands in the Aegean Sea, then come along with me. Explore, hike, swim or hang on the boat. Meditate. Do restorative yoga. Eat great food. And dance! Opa!!

Sojourn Programs

Happiness: The Art of Life Balance
I am committed to helping those who sit in the overwhelm, continually feeling out of time, and always stressed. As a longtime TV producer, I have been there many times over and have spent more than a decade studying what to do about it. Now, I work with professionals to help them get out of the crazy and into the happy — and yes, I still produce shows. To do that, I have put together a program that can fit into anyone’s schedule and can be joined anytime. For a complimentary consultation, please contact me.

By Appointment
Offering personalized sessions in Restorative/Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, Primordial Sound Meditation, Prayer of the Heart Meditation. Available in-person, or on Skype and FaceTime.

Happy Weekend! Love,
Maria and Team Sojourn
Learn More About Us | +800-869-0538

Follow Sojourn Explorers

Follow Picture Happiness