 Forget What You Think Happiness Is April 16, 2021  Hello Sojourners,
How are you holding up? It is a mixed moment in time. On the one hand, there is a lot of relief being felt because the coronavirus vaccine is rolling out. On the other hand, this rollout is raising questions about the unknown long-term effects. The distribution has been less than smooth in several places.
I feel like I am reading even more about resilience, grief, and COVID-related post-traumatic stress. People are louder, braver about seeking answers to their life’s meaning and purpose. Reflective of what they lost and found during the last year of being at home. We have more questions than answers these days. Maybe that is a good thing. Wanting answers could lead to positive change in the corners that have come shockingly front and center in 2020 and into this year.
  P.S. World Happiness Report Shows How We Weather the Pandemic. P.S.S. Please share 8 Good Things with your family, friends, and colleagues. It may brighten up someone’s day. Perhaps, even help somehow live life a little better. 8 Good Things is a curated newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes. If my thoughts about an article or video interest you, please click the ‘source’ button (e.g., NEW YORKER) to learn more. If you come across a story you would like me to consider sharing, please send it to explorer@sojourn-intl.com. This newsletter comes out once every three weeks. 
 Forget What You Think Happiness Is “As the Covid-19 pandemic forces many to reconsider what makes them happy, researchers are embracing a more complex definition of the emotion that focuses less on uninterrupted bliss.” Yes, I agree and have seen evidence of this statement with people around me. I have been studying happiness for sixteen years. The conversation around this topic was not so prevalent when I began my inquiry. Happiness is a choice and a skill you can learn. I have done both with remarkable results. As a more three-dimensional definition, happiness is not about seeing the world as all rosy, where bad days, bad moods no longer exist, where you never lose your cool or say unkind things. Trust me, I still have my less-than-stellar moments. However, I have come to profoundly understand that happiness is far more than a fleeting circumstantial moment. It is to have the emotional tools to help you navigate life’s storms, peaks, and valleys. Happiness is a way of life that you can develop and sustain. I am living proof of this. (Thank you for sharing this article with me, Mike Miller.)  Locating Yourself It starts with a question, “Where am I?” Then, noticing whether you are above the line that is open, curious, and committed to learning. Or, are you below the line, closed, defensive, and committed to being right? Find out where you are located. It will only take three minutes and thirty-five seconds. (Thank you for sharing your video with me, Dominik Ley.)  The Rabbi’s Gift As a companion to the above video, a story about what happens when you believe a “chosen one” walks amongst you, and you start to treat all around you with more respect and curiosity. It was written by M. Scott Peck, the bestselling author of the seminal book, The Road Less Traveled. This story was shared during a course I took on building an authentic leadership community. I was moved by the story and lesson. I hope you find it inspiring as well. The video production is old school. However, its meaning is timeless.  COVID Post-Traumatic Stress It is real, you are not alone, and there is a silver lining. It is called COVID post-traumatic growth. Find out more.  Lost and Found in 2020 A new podcast about stories from our lost year. It is a collection of life moments during the pandemic. Each story is moving and inspiring. I am one of the advisors for the organization Scare Your Soul, who is behind this project. Their mission is to encourage people to be courageous. Worth the listen. 
 These Countries Are Open to Though before you get out your passport, this is an article I recommend reading. Every country has different post-COVID entry requirements. I encourage you to do your due diligence.  A Rising Trend: Transformative Travel I have highlighted articles about transformational and regenerative travel for a while now. Yes, you could say it is the next trend. However, I think of these two terms not simply as the latest wave in travel. It is a reframe, a new lens to see your journeys through. One that is more intentional, mindful, and profound. As a companion to this article, I am sharing two recent talks I gave on this topic. One talk was for the Gross Global Happiness Summit hosted by the UN’s University for Peace, March 17th. Then I did a similar one for the Transformational Travel Council’s Virtual Fest on Facebook, March 30th. It is not that I expect you to watch both talks. It is more to show the growing interest in this way of meaningful travel, especially as international skies continue to open. It is a good time to consider how you want to now travel through the world. What kind of traveler do you want to be on your next sojourn and future ones? This article and my talks can offer some inspiration.  
 Ten More Films That Highlight the It is that time of year again. The 93rd Academy Awards will be airing on Sunday, April 25th, at 5 pm PDT. In anticipation of these awards, UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center released its annual list of films highlighting the strengths and virtues that help us flourish in any circumstance, even during a pandemic. They explain the strength or virtue of each film they recommend. Sojourn Programs  I am guiding LIVE meditations on the Insight Timer app. Come sit with me! You can also follow my meditation circle.
Meditation is our Wellbeing Silver Bullet. For those new to meditation, check out The Mindfulness Movement documentary featuring Dr. Deepak Chopra, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and other renowned meditation leaders.  I write video content for a mindfulness productivity app, Centered. The app is designed to help you reach a Flow State while you work. You can use the app to organize your day’s tasks. They also play music to keep you focused as you work, or you can bring in your own Spotify playlist. At the start of each day, the app offers videos with productivity tips, inspiring quotes, and mindfulness techniques to help you work smarter. Check it out. Sojourn Getaways Camino De Santiago | Spain September 19th – 29th, 2021 | $4650 Per Person/Double Occupancy  I genuinely think what you experience on this journey is a metaphor for how life can and should be, lived – with a warm, welcoming heart. We have thoughtfully curated a transformative journey covering the last 100 kilometers of the Camino’s most popular route, The French Way. I also chose this route because it is doable for almost anyone, no matter their age. Picture Perfect Holistic Safari | Zambia + Malawi November 8th – 19th, 2021 | Inquire About Cost  I have partnered with our Zambia + Malawi specialist to curate and guide a photographic safari that combines everything you want in an African adventure through a mindful lens. Please join me for this unique small group sojourn. It will give you something to look forward to this year!
SUPER Special Guest Invitation | Now – December 31st, 2021
If you want to visit Zambia and Malawi this year, however, the November dates for the Picture Perfect safari do not work for you, I have an amazing reduced offer for fourteen nights! The caveat is that you have to book the trip by the end of May for travel anytime this year. Here is the itinerary. Email me for more details.
The Holy Land | Israel December 2nd – 11th, 2021 | $4395 Per Person/Double Occupancy  This trip is a beautiful spiritual journey with Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral’s Very Reverend Father John Bakas (Los Angeles.) We have made the pilgrimage twice before. Each time, it was indeed a joyful, uplifting experience for all. Father John has so much depth and knowledge of the Christian teachings and its historical context shared with today’s relevance and good humor. Suffice to say that we laugh a lot on these trips. Six Senses Zil Pasyon | Seychelles Thirty Percent Discount Offer | Inquire About Cost  One of my favorite solo travel journeys took place on these islands. I was working in Kenya and took advantage of being able to hop to the Seychelles from Nairobi. One fond memory is when a local restaurant owner picked me up by boat at my beachfront hotel. On a remote beach, we fished for our lunch and dug a small sandpit to cook it. The meal was so simple, the moment long treasured.
This is one of the destinations mentioned in Condé Nast’s list of countries that are open to vaccinated travelers. I highly recommend the experience, especially at a Six Senses resort. The company had a remarkable commitment to sustainability long before most travelers even knew what that meant.
Special Guest Invitation | Now – December 20th, 2021
Stay a minimum of four nights. This offer applies to all villas, except residences. *Ask how you can receive an additional ten percent off. Baglioni Resort | Maldives Forty Percent Discount Offer | Inquire About Cost  This dreamy paradise is just a forty-minute seaplane ride from the airport. Here, the Maldives at its finest meets the prestigious Italian Baglioni brand. Designed for optimum sustainability while making the most out of its sublime natural setting.
Special Guest Invitation | Through December 26th, 2021
Sojourn Explorers is happy to curate a Maldivian experience that is the perfect social distancing getaway. Here is one possibility. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve | South Africa Inquire About Cost  One of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World!
Special Guest Invitation | Through June 30th, 2021
Stay four nights, pay for three. The Great Elephant Adventure | Kenya Amboseli National Park + Laikipia Plateau + Maasai Mara 12 Days | Choose Your Dates | Inquire About Cost  The Kenyan bush is an awe-inspiring sensory landscape that is humbling to experience. The most iconic way to travel is to move every few days and set camp like the old explorers, except with more creature comforts. I am offering an extraordinary photographic mobile safari camp experience that can be curated to your desires. No detail is too small or unimportant. This adventure is perfect for families and small groups. Arctic Quest | North Pole Launches 2023 | Inquire About Cost  This pioneer’s adventure to the North Pole in a modern airship is getting a lot of attention. It is one of the most extraordinary and unique travel experiences you will ever have in your life. Many travel dates are already sold out! The airship has eight cabins and can accommodate up to sixteen passengers. Prices will go up the closer we get to the launch in 2023. If you are interested, book now. Sojourn Cares   I crossed the 5000-mile threshold. This is the total Charity Miles I have walked since I started keeping track using the app. Never did I imagine that I would see this number.
Between May 17th and Thanksgiving, 2020, I walked 1000 Charity Miles for Stand Up To Cancer. I took to the foothills in my Los Angeles backyard. I hiked almost every day to support patients and caregivers with COVID-19. On Christmas Day, I pledged to walk another 1000 Charity Miles. So far, I have walked 513.94 miles.
My fundraising page from the last 1000 miles is still open. Every donation is meaningful to those in need. Bless you for caring. Art & Science of Happiness in Action  Noticing Nature One, be mindful of the nature around you; flowers, trees, birds, water, clouds. Notice how it makes you feel. What emotions arise when you notice?
Two, when you see something in nature that really strikes you, take a photo of it. Note how and why it moves you.
Three, between now and our next 8 Good Things edition, take at least ten photos. The point is to notice how nature makes you feel rather than focusing on taking a perfect image.
Why this works: Time Required: 10 minutes | Frequency: 1x per day Picture Perfect  Glimpses of Grief and Resilience, “One year into COVID-19, photographers reflect on their own images.” Inspiring  A Love Letter to Realism in a Time of Grief “The realists have managed to resolve the tension between acceptance and hope by running them in parallel,” Mark Pollock, the first blind person to race to the South Pole. However, there is a lot more to his story. Thoughtful  “He, who has a why to live, can bear with almost any how.” ~ Friedrich Nietzsche “Creativity is Intelligence having fun.” ~ Albert Einstein Stay safe. Stay well.  Maria Baltazzi PhD, Conscious-Centered Living | MFA, Film Emmy-winning TV Producer | Happiness + Mindfulness Teacher Transformational Travel Council Advisor + Herald Seven Continent Marathon Walker Explorers Club Member 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.  Let us know your favorite things from this week. Share how your perspective changed this week. |
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