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8 Good Things is a curated newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes sent twice a month by Maria Baltazzi, PhD, MFA.

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

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1Best Fall Trips 2018. An excellent autumn travel list that will cure any summer travel withdrawals. I would go along with the list’s top two picks, Botswana and Patagonia.

2Wreckage May Be from Endeavour, Ship That Explored World and Charted Australia. For the last twenty-five years, marine archaeologists have been on the hunt for Captain Cook’s ship, the Endeavour. It seems they may have found remnants at the bottom of Newport Harbor in Rhode Island. So just how did the explorer deemed by the Aussies as the Christopher Columbus of Australia end up in America? If you love early exploration as I do, you will enjoy the read.

Inquire About Happiness Mentoring

3How Millennials Are Changing the Workplace for the Better. An article I wrote about the difference between the behavior of millennials and baby boomers in the workplace. Perhaps you will be inspired by the millennials’ ability to be “vocal about wanting crazy things like flexible work schedules, freedom to pursue their dreams, and work-life balance.”

4How a Daily 10-Minute Exercise Could Boost Your Happiness. Sandi Mann, a lecturer at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK, suggests that every day answer six simple questions. My favorites are number four and five. “What were your achievements, however small?” and “What made you feel grateful?”

5These Are the World’s Most Peaceful Countries. The Global Peace Index, created by the Institute for Economics and Peace, claims Iceland as the most peaceful country. They have held this position since 2008, followed by New Zealand and Austria. For the last five years, Syria has been rated as “the least peaceful country.”

6How Your Brain Decides What Is Beautiful. The answer can be found through the intersection of evolutionary psychology and the tools of neuroscience. This 2016 TED Talk is STILL trending.

Inquire About Media Partnerships

7The Actor Behind Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch Is Retiring. eighty-four-year old Caroll Spinney retired after nearly 50 years. A NY Times quote, “I always thought, How fortunate for me that I got to play the two best Muppets?… Playing Big Bird is one of the most joyous things of my life.” Truly, a man who made play his work, and work his play.

8How The Handmaid’s Tale Pulled Off Its Eerie Boston Globe Set: Plus More Secrets from This Year’s Batch of Emmy-Nominated Production Designers. From “Handmaid’s Tale” to “The Crown” to “Westworld” a lot of the on-screen magic resides in its production design. Excellent aesthetics always inspires me.

” Thoughtful

“Count your age by friends, not years.
Count your life by smiles, not tears.”
~ John Lennon

Sojourn Experiences

Phoenix, Sedona, Scottsdale | December 29th – December 31st
Bring in the New Year with two-time Grammy-nominated Songwriter Jim Brickman. I am joining Jim on his Fan Trip. I met Jim when I was producing a pilot for ABC. We used one of his songs in the opening of our show, from there we became friends. My role on the trip is to guide people in setting intentions for the coming year. Jim’s role is to entertain everyone with his beautiful music. We will spend three days touring and planning for 2019 by day, and enjoying great food and music at night.

The Holy Land | December 13th – 23rd, 2018
***SOLD OUT***WAITLIST ONLY***
This holiday season I have put together an extraordinary trip to the Holy Land with the Very Reverend Father John Bakas of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles.

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

You do not always get to see these guys, leopards! I took this photo on one of my more recent trips to Africa. My favorite place in the world. A place I love sharing with others as well. Great Plains Conservation’s Wild Studio was started by award-winning National Geographic filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert. This is an experience that I put together. It combines learning the secrets of great wildlife photography from a Wild Studios pro and my Mindfulness teaching. Please join us on a uniquely curated safari that will tap into your true inner-photographer. This journey can be shared with a group of friends or as a solo sojourn. The choice is yours.

Sojourn Programs

Happiness: The Art of Life Balance | Fall Special
As a longtime television producer, stress was my middle name. I have spent more than a decade studying what to do about it. Now, I work with professionals, especially those in the media, to help them get out of the crazy and into the happy (and yes, I still produce TV shows). I have put together a program that can fit into anyone’s schedule and can be joined anytime.
40% off my program. Use promo code: OWA40

By Appointment
Offering private sessions in Mindfulness, Primordial Sound Meditation, Contemplative Prayer Meditation, and Restorative Yoga. Available in-person, or on Skype and FaceTime.

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

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