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Hello Sojourners!

Halloween is tomorrow! Despite COVID, upcoming elections, and everything else, take some time to play this weekend. Dress up, be silly, watch scary movies, bob for apples. You will feel happy you did. In the last edition, I highlighted a TEDx talk on the importance of play and reprising it here because it is all so much to handle right now. Your mental and physical health depends on it. Plus, it beats sitting through another Zoom call!

And as it is getting colder in the Northern Hemisphere, and people stay indoors more, I offer several entertaining things to do from your living room couch. Though remember to still exercise.

When we meet again, voters in the US will have decided the next President. There will be a lot (more) passionate discussions taking place now and for some time. Included in this edition is an excellent article on staying calm and communicating effectively.

Here is the latest update on my 1000 CharityMiles walk for Stand Up To Cancer. As of this writing, I am 913.77 miles into my journey. Almost in the final stretch. I am walking to support patients and caregivers with COVID-19. Your donations are meaningful. Even pledging one-cent per mile makes a difference. I am grateful for everyone’s support. The easiest way to sponsor this walk is to go to my pledge page. Also, sharing an article on the impact that exercise has on stalling cancer. Do you notice a theme here?

Inquire About Travel Destinations

1A Comprehensive Virtual Tour Guide to the Best Museums, Art Galleries & Historic Buildings. A group of researchers has compiled a list of the best virtual tours with history and culture lovers in mind. Petra was on my list of places to visit this year, so now I can get a taster from my living room. If I use my imagination, my reading chair doubles as a pretty good first-class airline seat 😉

Inquire About Being Happy

2Halloween’s Not Canceled: Here’s How to Make It Spooky but Safe. While the article highlights New York-specific suggestions, there are also ideas for movies and podcasts for wherever you live. Not to leave out my home city, here are some fun, safe ideas as well.

3Bruce Springsteen and the Art of Aging Well. Even if you do not know The Boss’s music, some notes of wisdom on being creative and engaged for many years to come. Think: “Active aging.” By the way, he has a new album. It is considered “the happiest Springsteen album in decades.”

4How to Stay Calm and Communicate Clearly. Post-election, pre-Thanksgiving, this may be the perfect article to read right now (even though it was written during the presidential debates.) Think: TLC 2x, and find out why.

5A Nutritionist Says You Should Add These Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Your Diet. You want to reduce inflammation to help ward off diseases, like cancer, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, to name a few. This article is a good companion to the one I highlighted in our last 8 Good Things, 35 Fruits and Veggies to Solve Your Skin, Digestion, and Inflammation Problems. If it seems like I am on a health kick this edition, I am. I have been hearing a lot of people talking about wellness issues, aside from the coronavirus. So, trying to offer some help and encouragement.

6Stop Being a Bystander in Your Own Life. “Life doesn’t go from A to B — it’s messy.” True that! Find out how one woman went from being a teenager booted out of school to the skipper of the first all-female crew in the most challenging race on the seas. Today, she inspires females of all ages to take control of their lives. Since May of this year, almost one million, seven hundred thousand people in seventeen languages have watched this inspiring eleven-minute talk. I think anyone can appreciate the talk’s message to go for your dreams. Side note: while you may not be able to be out in the world, you can still plan and skill up at home in whatever passion floats your boat. A plethora of resources are available online. My invitation to you is to use this time wisely.

Inquire About Media Partnerships

710 New Movies to Make You Feel Better About Being Stuck at Home. These films are meant to entertain, uplift, and perhaps even inspire you to better navigate these times. Some of the movies are pure escapism, while others can motivate you to serve a higher purpose. Grab some popcorn, sit back, and be transported!

8Sixty-two Films That Shaped the Art of Documentary Filmmaking. For those who love a good non-fiction story, a companion article to the above. If you went to film school, you might see some familiar films on this list.

Sojourn Programs

My Ocean Meditation was featured in a recent Insight Timer blog about this type of practice’s benefits. Try it out and let me know what you think.

In these challenging times, we need mindfulness more than ever! I call mindfulness my wellness silver bullet.

I am re-sharing a recent movie that my friend and colleague, Rob Beemer, authored and directed, “The Mindfulness Movement.” The film features the pioneers and thought leaders of this practice, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Sharon Salzberg, Dan Harris, Daniel Goleman, Diana Winston, and Richard Davidson. It is Executive Produced by and also features Deepak Chopra and Jewel. It is filled with insightful information and inspiration about the science-based, secular practice. Despite the wide use of the word mindfulness, I find many people do not really know what it is and how it works. This film will answer these questions.

Click this link to buy or rent. As a gift to you, you can use the discount code mindful10 for 10% off! 

Plus, there are four free videos: a guided meditation from Sharon Salzberg, mindful movement exercises from Diana Winston, an interview with performance whisperer George Mumford about mindfulness and resilience, and a talk and guided meditation in Spanish.

Sojourn Getaways

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve   |   South Africa
South Africa has re-opened its borders to travelers. For those wanting to venture there now or in the future, here is a place I was planning to visit this past May, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve. It has long been on my travel hit list.

Special Guest Invitations   |   Through June 30th, 2021


Stay four nights, pay for three. Excluding peak season, December 20th – January 6th.

Picture Perfect Holistic Safari   |   Zambia + Malawi
November 8th – 19th, 2021

I have partnered with our Zambia + Malawi specialist to design and guide a photographic safari that combines everything you want in an African adventure through a mindfulness experience lens. Hope you will consider joining me for this unique small group sojourn. It will give you something to look forward to next year. According to research, even planning a trip can boost your mental health.

Also, click this link for an article that lists the African countries open for tourism and their entry requirements, as of October 18th.

Arctic Quest   |   North Pole
Launches 2024

I am super excited to be offering this pioneer’s adventure to the North Pole in a modern airship.

More Fun Stuff

! Funny
Rare Footage of New Bird of Paradise Species
Shows Odd Courtship Dance
Over six million, five hundred thousand views.

Picture Perfect
The Spirit of Halloween 2020

☺ The Art and Science of Happiness in Action
Perspective on an Argument

One, think about a disagreement with someone from the POV of a neutral third party who wants the best for everyone. How does
this change your feelings about the person or situation?
Two, next time you are in a conversation, especially one that is heated, try to take this third party’s perspective and see how that shifts things.

Why This Works: This approach helps you to see
both sides and what is best for all.
Research suggests this reduces anger and distress.

Time Required: Varies  |  Frequency: As often as you want

” Thoughtful

“We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones.”
~ Stephen King

Stay safe. Stay well.
Maria and Team Sojourn
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