hotel-xenia
  • Home
  • Team
Let's Chat
Menu
Explore the New Seven Wonders of the World

Hello! Maria Baltazzi here.

I hope you all had a fantastic 4th of July. It was great to have fireworks again. I am currently in Africa checking out safari camps for future Sojourn Explorers’ adventures. As I got ready for my first international trip since we put our passports in the drawer for an unknown length of time, I realized that there are many more things to consider. Being more thoughtful about travel insurance, the timing of the PCR tests to get on planes and into countries, the requirements when you return home, allowing more time to get through an airport. Not quite the spontaneous travel many of us have known. That said, I am happy to be on the continent I love so much.

I will share more when I return! Enjoy this summer edition of 8GT! 

Alternate text

P.S. The Future of Travel in the Covid-19 Era. What you need to know.

P.S.S. Please share 8 Good Things with your family, friends, and colleagues. 

Alternate text

July 09, 2021

Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Alternate text
Alternate text

The Practice of Freedom

As a salute to this past 4th of July. A reflection on what it genuinely means to be free from a mindfulness point of view. You are free when no longer controlled by conscious and unconscious desires to keep grasping for what you want. When you face your fears instead of turning away from them. You can regulate your fears and desires by gaining greater awareness and insight into your motivations through meditation, cultivating patience and love, and consciously avoiding harming yourself or others. Find out more from the Queen of Meditation, Sharon Salzberg.  Discover this article from TEN PERCENT HAPPIER.

Alternate text
Alternate text

What Did COVID Do to Friendship? 

This past year has indeed put a spotlight on friendship. Who we define as friends, how we spend time with them, and the value we place on friendship itself. There were definitely people I let go of and others I cherished even more. And oddly, many have found there was a unique kind of intimacy in being distant.
Discover this article from THE NEW YORKER. 

Alternate text
Alternate text

How to Stop Ruminating and Find Peace in the Present Moment

When you notice that you are ruminating on unproductive thoughts, simply shift your focus to your breath, a mantra, or a centering word, like peace. Those who have a meditation practice eventually learn to become the observer of their thoughts versus identifying with them and more easily let pesky thoughts go. Even an obsessive thinker can learn to do this too.
Discover this article from CHOPRA. 

Alternate text
Alternate text

How to Think About Pleasure

“It’s complicated.” Consider: Pleasure is everywhere, yet, really, what is it beyond a fundamental part of our existence that we experience? What about pleasures of the mind versus body, and which one is better or do they need to be? Some say pleasure is the absence of pain. Then, there is the pleasure you enjoy in others. Philosophers through the ages offer insights. However, it ultimately comes down to your perception of pleasure and what works for you, especially as we define our new normal. Discover this article from PSYCHE. 

Alternate text
Alternate text

The 18 Best Motivational Podcasts That Could Change Your Life

From Career Motivation to Happiness and Mental Health Motivation to Financial Wellness Motivation to Physical Health Motivation to Dating and Relationships to Productivity to Home and Family. I am sure you will find something to get and keep you going as we re-emerge from our lockdown world. Discover this article from MASHABLE. 

Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Alternate text
Alternate text

Explore the New Seven Wonders of the World

If you are Indiana Jones’ing to get out into the world, though away from crowds, here are some very cool, less-traveled places. Think: Antequera Dolmens, the Spanish version of Stonehenge. The ancient Roman ruins in Baalbek, Lebanon. Experience falls twice the size of Niagara in Nahanni, Canada. Ancient Aboriginal Rock Art in Australia. The kelp forests of South Africa. Then there are the megalithic Easter Island-esque statues of San Agustin, Colombia. Finally, the fifth century A.D. palace that is both a human-made and natural wonder in Sigiriya,
Sri Lanka. Discover this article from BLOOMBERG. 

Alternate text
Alternate text

The 2021 Gold List

1) The Best Hotels and Resorts in the World. 2) The Best Hotels and Resorts in the U.S. and Canada. 3) “Our” Favorite Hotels in the World. These three lists will definitely spark your wanderlust! Discover this article from CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER. 

Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Alternate text
Facebook Linkedin Instagram
Good Thing 8
Good Thing 8

A Man, a Dog, a Walk Around the World

The year was 2015. Tom Turcich was thirty-two years old and wanted to circumnavigate the planet on foot with his rescue puppy Savannah. This is his “excellent adventure” to date and what he has learned traveling as a white guy from New Jersey. Discover this article from AFAR. 

Sojourn Getaways

Alternate text

I have thoughtfully designed a pilgrimage covering the last 100 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago’s most popular route, The French Way. I chose this route because it is doable for almost anyone, no matter their age. So what is unique about this pilgrimage this year? First, it is a holy year, which only happens once every eleven years when St. James’ feast lands on a Sunday. Second, a special door of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is open for pilgrims to pass through, and all misdeeds are forgiven.

ASK ABOUT THE CAMINO DE SANTIAGO
ASK US
Alternate text

Two of the hidden gems of Africa are Zambia + Malawi. We have partnered with our Experience Specialist Mike Varndell to curate and guide a photographic safari. This trip combines everything you want in an African adventure through a mindful lens. Indeed, an inner and outer journey you will always remember. Please join me for this unique small group sojourn. 

ASK US ABOUT OUR PHOTOGRAPHIC SAFARI
ASK US

Picture Perfect

Alternate text

Strawberry Supermoon:
Full Moon Photos from around the World

SCIENCE FOCUS

Thoughtful

Alternate text

Stay safe. Stay well.

Alternate text

Maria Baltazzi

PhD, Conscious-Centered Living  |  MFA, Film

Emmy-winning TV Producer  |  Happiness + Mindfulness Teacher

Transformational Travel Council Advisor + Herald

Explorers Club Fellow National Member

Seven Continent Marathon Walker

Happiness Foundation Advisor

Scare Your Soul Advisor

PhD, Conscious-Centered Living  |  MFA, Film

Emmy-winning TV Producer  |  Happiness + Mindfulness Teacher

Transformational Travel Council Advisor + Herald

Explorers Club Fellow National Member

Seven Continent Marathon Walker

Happiness Foundation Advisor

Scare Your Soul Advisor

ABOUT

Every three weeks, we bring you eight big ideas to help you live better.

Each edition selects topics that reflect The Sojourn Experience’s desire to serve the greater good, both inwardly and outwardly. We are a conscious-centered company with three portfolio brands. The first is Picture Happiness: Take a Shot, which focuses on the art and science of happiness and mindfulness. The second is Sojourn Explorers, which curates transformational travel experiences to extraordinary places around the globe. Part of the money for each trip goes to nonprofit organizations we support. The Sojourn Media Group looks to create partnerships with writers, producers, and directors to get their projects sold to production companies and various platforms.

Special thanks to Astrid Martin, article and video content research, and Michael Tobias, editorial review and formatting, for their ongoing contributions to
8 Good Things.

Alternate text

Let us know your favorite things from this week.

Share how your perspective changed this week.

REPLY

 

We will not sell, distribute or lease your personal information to third parties unless we have
your permission or are required by law to do so. For more information, please visit our

Privacy Policy.

Once a month, we bring you eight big ideas to help you live better.

8 Good Things is a newsletter of insightful, inspirational articles, videos, and reflections you will not find elsewhere in one place that is simple and easy to digest delivered to your inbox as our gift.

  • Hidden
  • Before opting into our newsletter, please take some time to review our Privacy Policy.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Forgiving Is For Living
A Grateful Life is A Happy Life
Your Best Health Insurance Plan
The Science of Love
Living a Meaningful 2022
Merry, Merry! May Good Things Come to You
Thanksgiving Reflections
Go for a Walk
See More

Erin F.

“Your opening comments... ‘Let there be a pandemic of compassion, love, and gratitude’ made me a bit emotional and hopeful this morning.”

Jim B.

“I can’t think of a better time for your
8 Good Things.”

Anthony H.

“Maria Baltazzi is one of life’s angels, who is exceedingly generous with her wisdom and insight. Do yourself a favor and sign up for her newsletter.”

Arctic Quest

[smartslider3 slider=”4″]

Thirty-six hours that will change your life. This is no overstatement. Be among the first to land at our magnetic north in a modern airship that uses innovative technology that combines the best of fixed-wing airplanes, helicopters, and static helium lift. What is old is new and even better, and more sustainable than jets or vehicles.

Photos provided by Design Q
View North Pole
© 2022 The Sojourn Experience
  • 8 Good Things
  • Sojourn Explorers
  • Sojourn Wholebeing
  • Sojourn Media Group
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT