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Happy May!
This month’s issue is about forgiveness.
Forgiveness can be so hard to offer, ask for, or receive. However, it is so vital to our wellbeing. I believe that forgiving is for living, so that you can move on with life. Some of the most challenging moments in my life have been around forgiveness. And every time forgiveness has been granted, either giving or receiving, my heart and mind feel freer, like a huge weight lifts. My heart feels soft and pink instead of hard and black.
I hope the articles and videos in this edition of 8 Good Things help you better understand how and why forgiveness is essential to the quality of your life and happiness.
Also, I will be offering an online wellbeing workshop on May 13th. Details are at the end of this newsletter.
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P.S. Please share 8 Good Things with your family, friends, and colleagues.
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Why Forgiveness Is Important
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This article deep dives into why forgiveness is essential to our wellbeing. This teaching from the Dalai Lama sums up the importance: “that some acts of violence are committed out of ignorance or carelessness. Yet others are prompted by circumstances. All of which are presented as outside of a person’s control when one’s mental, emotional or circumstantial conditions are concerned. In light of this perspective, [the Dalai Lama] suggests that it becomes pointless to hold it against those who hurt themselves or injure others.”
From everything I have studied about forgiveness, this is a mentally and emotionally healthy perspective to consider IF you can find the ability to do so. Also important to note is that this perspective should not be confused with condoning harmful actions of any sort. Read more in POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY.
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Eight Keys to Forgiveness
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1) Know what forgiveness is and why it matters
2) Become “forgivingly fit”
3) Address your inner pain
4) Develop a forgiving mind through empathy
5) Find meaning in your suffering
6) When forgiveness is hard, call upon other strengths
7) Forgive yourself
8) Develop a forgiving heart
More about each of these keys in the GREATER GOOD MAGAZINE.
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The Power of Forgiveness and How Happy People Manage to Unleash It
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The power of forgiveness rests in the acronym REACH. R is for RECALLING the hurt as the first step of the process. E is for EMPATHIZING with the person who hurt you. A is for the ALTRUISTIC gift of forgiveness. C is for the COMMITMENT to forgive. And H is for HOLDING onto that forgiveness. Read more in FORBES.
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Forgiveness: Your Health Depends on It
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Harboring anger and resentment, especially when held for a long time, can eventually up your risk of depression, heart disease, diabetes, and other physical ailments you do not want. Forgiveness, genuine forgiveness, aid in lowering stress, anxiety, and the risk of a heart attack. It may also reduce your pain and help you sleep better. Even if the person does not deserve to be forgiven, you deserve to be released from your hurt. So you forgive to take care of yourself. Read more in JOHN HOPKINS MEDICINE.
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How to Forgive Someone Who Isn’t Sorry
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Sometimes, you feel wronged, and the other person just does not see it that way, or they do not have the humility or capacity to say, “I am sorry.” In these instances, it is up to you to take responsibility for yourself to move on with life. Professor Robert Enright, a leader in the science of forgiveness, sums up this sentiment well. “Forgiveness is my safety valve against the kind of toxic anger that could kill me. Waiting for the apology is to misunderstand your free will, and it’s to misunderstand the medicine that is forgiveness, that you should be able to take freely, whatever you want.” Read more in VOX.
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Can Traveling Help You Let Go of Anger and Learn to Forgive?
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The answer is “yes,” and here is how. One, you step away from your situation to get a fresh perspective by putting physical distance between you and the person who hurt you. Two, while traveling, intentionally set aside time to meditate on the thoughts and emotions about the situation upsetting you. Three, exploring other lands and cultures can shift how you emotionally see things in your life. Traveling also reminds you that there is more to life than the pain you left back home. It shows you that there is a big exciting world to explore. Four, you will likely encounter a mishap or two on your getaway trip and can use the experience to learn new ways to deal with anger and frustration. There is more insight in GLOBAL GALLIVANTING.
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Forgiveness Is like Time Travel
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This article has an interesting perspective on forgiveness. The premise is that each time we replay a past hurt, our brain alters that memory a bit. According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, “Your memory of an event can grow less precise even to the point of being totally false with each retrieval.” So essentially, if you choose, you can travel back in time and change your relationship with a painful moment. Read more at PRISM WELL.
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How? By naming the offense. You specifically name it to understand its emotional cost to you. Next, you need to be willing to admit to the hurt and pain. So, it is not justifying or excusing the other person for their psychological brokenness. Then another ingredient goes into (re)learning forgiveness, love, and generosity mixed with a dose of humility. (Re)learn more about forgiveness on TEDxCUNY. To go along with this talk are the 10 Best Movies About Forgiveness that You Should Watch. At the top of the list is Invictus with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, directed by Clint Eastwood.
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Sojourn Explorers Experiences
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For years I have traveled as a television producer, then a marathon walker, and now an Intentional Travel Designer and Wellbeing Guide. I also have an extensive background in the study of happiness and mindfulness. Every trip I curate is unique, combining my experience and expertise into thoughtful inner and outer journeys. Here are some of my tailor-made travel experiences. I would love to have you join me. Or, I am happy to curate something special for you.
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Camino de Santiago Portuguese | The Spiritual Way
September 9th – 21st, 2022
$5,575 pp, double occupancy | Single Supplement Available
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This is the third time I will lead a group through completing the last 100 km of the Camino de Santiago. The first two pilgrimages were along the French Way. This pilgrimage is the Portuguese Way, starting your journey in Porto, Portugal, following a path along the water much of the time until you reach Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It is a less followed path, less crowded, and is known for its breathtaking views. However, the real reason I am looking forward to this pilgrimage is that the experience is a metaphor for how you can live better. The people you meet along the way are warm, open, and helpful. Walking lets you immerse yourself in the culture and way of life on the Camino. You have time to slow down to think. And the food and wine will fuel the soul of any foodie. This year is also unique because the Pope has declared it a Holy Year for the second consecutive year because of Covid. A special door is open, and the pilgrims who pass through it are absolved of their past misdeeds. It was a moving experience for me in 2021. It gave me pause to reflect on my life, where I could have been a better human, and how I could take that insight into the days ahead. You can download the itinerary here.
“Thank you so much for sharing your vast experience, calmness, and energy to help us during such a crazy time in our world…Maria is very inspirational,
and I am very grateful for her teaching skills!”
~ Diana, Business Owner (repeat guest)
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Crafted Africa Wellbeing Safari | Zambia + Malawi
October 31st – November 11th, 2022
$12,450 pp, based on double occupancy | Early Bird Savings $950
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Photo Credit: Time + Tide
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My first visit to Africa changed my life. That continent still touches my heart each time I am there. That is why I have curated an adventure that combines immersive wellbeing practices and mindful photography into a profound inner and outer journey experience. You do not need to be a photographer. Just open to seeing what is around the corner on a dirt road or lying under a tree.
Included with your inner journey safari:
- Fireside wellbeing chats
- Mindful photography outings
- Science-based wellbeing activities
- Photo sharing and reflections
- Mindful movement and meditations
- Guided self-reflective time
- Creating a post-trip Life Map to keep you on your inner journey
Included with your outer journey safari:
- Game drives (day+night)
- Walking safaris
Download the itinerary for more details.
Special Guest Invitation
$13,400 pp, double occupancy
Save $950 off listed price until July 31st, 2022
“My trip was so well-orchestrated! Each detail was spot on perfect! I can’t thank Maria Baltazzi enough for making this experience so magical!”
~ Gary, Former Oil Operations Engineer
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Duba Plains Explorers Camp
Great Plains Conservation | Botswana
Choose Your Dates | Inquire About Cost
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The old-world explorers inspired this camp. Here you feel you could be pulling up a chair to have a gin and tonic and a bit of a chat with Dr. David Livingstone as you watch the wildlife outside your tent. This camp feels so intimate and magical and a million miles away from civilization. Maybe that is because Duba Plains Explorers Camp sits on an island surrounded by the pristine Okavango Delta on an 81,540-acre private reserve in the heart of Botswana’s northern floodplains. If you want to get away from it all, this is the place.
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Sojourn Wholebeing Workshop
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Mindfully Happy: Seven Steps to Creating Your Inner Sanctuary
Online Wellbeing Workshop | May 13th, 12 pm – 2 pm pacific
Replay Available to Anyone Registered | $30
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I am doing a workshop via the Insight Timer app, where I teach meditation. However, Mindfully Happy is more than a mindfulness meditation course. This 2-hour session will offer proven steps that have helped thousands of people boost their happiness and quality of life.
You will…
- Get a deeper understanding of how to create a happier, more purpose-led life
- Gain clarity around the myths of happiness
- Learn happiness practices for daily living and wellbeing
Transparency. I genuinely believe the teachings I offer can help anyone regardless of where they are on the happiness continuum. There is always some area of your life that can be better, and I would appreciate help spreading the word about this workshop. Would you please consider registering for it or sharing it with others who would benefit from learning how to improve their quality of life? The cost is $30. A replay will be available — even if you cannot attend in person, you can still watch it and gain the benefits of the course. Candidly, I hope to get enough people to do it as a reoccurring online workshop.
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Comments from past workshop participants:
“Very insightful and well-presented. I came away with useful, practical advice and thought experiments to put into practice. Ty.”
~ Jennifer
“I really got a lot out of it just being reminded of the direction, where to put my energy and focus on continuing to move on the happiness continuum because I was at the far end of it…and [you] have just given me a structure to and foundation to focus on to guide myself in the right direction so, I really appreciate the things you had to say. Thank you.”
~ Jen
“Very useful and practical information. Thank you so much!”
~ Camille
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The Dunes of Ramlat Al Wahibah
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I took this photo in March 2022 near a desert camp in Oman.
The scene reminded me of being in a big bowl
of creamy whipped butter.
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“The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
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Maria Baltazzi
PhD, Conscious-Centered Living | MFA, Film
Emmy-winning TV Producer | Happiness + Mindfulness Teacher
Intentional Travel Designer + Wellbeing Guide
Transformational Travel Council Advisor + Herald
Explorers Club Fellow National Member
Seven Continent Marathon Walker
Happiness Foundation Advisor
Scare Your Soul Advisor
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Every month, 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. Sojourn Wholebeing focuses on the art and science of happiness and mindfulness. Sojourn Explorers combines intentional travel experiences with wellbeing practices to extraordinary places around the globe. Sojourn Media looks to create partnerships with writers, producers, and directors to sell their projects 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.
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Let us know your favorite things from this week.
Share how your perspective changed this week.
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Jim B.