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Hello! Happy Valentine’s Day!

“There’s no bad consequence to loving fully, with all your heart.
You always gain by giving love.”

~ Reese Witherspoon, Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur

I hope this edition of 8 Good Things finds your heart filled with love and maybe some flowers or chocolates to go along with it.

8 Good Things is a curated biweekly newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes. If my thoughts about an article or video intrigue you, please click the ‘source’ button (e.g., CONDE NASTE TRAVELER) to find out more. 8GT reflects the spirit of the three brands that make up The Sojourn Experience: Sojourn Explorers, Picture Happiness: Take a Shot and Sojourn Media. I hope you enjoy our slightly re-imagined format, which will continue to unfold as the year goes. If you come across stories you would like me to consider sharing, please send them to explorer@sojourn-intl.com. We are now sending this newsletter once every three weeks instead of two.

Please make sure to scroll all the way down to see my upcoming pilgrimage to Istanbul, historically known as Constantinople. Also, try this edition’s Art and Science of Happiness in Action activity – writing a gratitude letter. Share your experience on our Facebook page!

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1Why Finland And Denmark Are Happier Than The U.S. I have been hearing and reading more and more about people in the United States considering living elsewhere in the world, mainly for one of three reasons: political, financial, or health care. This CNBC story about people living in and immigrating to the Nordic countries covers all three of these reasons. I thought this was particularly worthwhile to share because this piece is framed around happiness. It defines what happiness is, and expresses that the quality of life is more important than the amount of money you make. In my studies on the science of happiness as well as personal experience, money only helps one to be happy up to a certain point. According to research, that magic number in the States is $75,000. After that, other factors become the big players in your level of happiness. I also appreciated how the news story highlighted the “dark side” of happiness in Finland and Denmark, that it is stressful to manage work-life balance. Sound familiar? (Thank you, Terri Jude Davis, for recommending this story.)

Also, here, for those who are not ready to leave the country and just want to travel sooner than later, a hit list for The Best Places to Visit in March.

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2 Masters of Love. Only three in ten marriages remain happy and healthy long after their wedding toast. What is the secret for those living happily ever after? Four decades of studies say it is kindness and generosity. Couples who are “Masters of Love” feel calm, connected, warm, and affectionate toward each other. Emotionally, physically, they are comfortable together because they have shared trust and intimacy. For those that are “Disasters of Love,” the number one factor that divides a couple is contempt, criticizing your partner for this or that thing, often seeing the negative. The takeaway here: if you want to have a lasting relationship get on the kindness bandwagon. If you are already in a tenuous relationship, there is still hope. Try applying the tips from the “Masters of Love.” So, today, buy some flowers, go someplace romantic, and whisper a sweet “I love you because…” to your significant other. Then, keep doing and saying thoughtful things in the days to come.

THE ATLANTIC

3 Love, Honor, and Thank. As a companion to the previous article is one about how couples view the division of household chores. A hot-button that I think is universally relatable, whether you are romantically involved or only roommates. An often-cited source of friction in a relationship is over who is doing what. The other one is how often things get done around the house. Do you have to nag to get the garbage taken out? Is it just assumed that it “your job” to do it versus the other person? What this article keys into is that people have a different tolerance level for things, like how full a garbage pail needs to be before feeling motivated to empty it, as well as whose job it is to do it. As people living together, it helps to recognize and navigate these perceptions. Then, there is one other critical element, gratitude. A successful relationship depends on how partners express gratitude for the work the other one puts into keeping up the house. If you find yourself asking, “Why does he not see it?” or “Why does she not do it?” I invite you to read this article.

GREATER GOOD MAGAZINE

4Thnx4. On the day we celebrate love, it is essential, I think, to wrap this precious gift with gratitude. If you looked at the previous articles, you understand how significant appreciation is in relationships. It is also true elsewhere in your everyday life. There are physical and psychological benefits that go along with the expression of thanks. You are more likely to take care of yourself, have fewer aches and pains, feel less resentment, frustration, or depression. However, for some, having or showing gratitude does not come easy. Here is an online source that can help one develop the habit of saying “thanks” by keeping an interactive gratitude journal. So far, those who have tried it for just two weeks showed notable increases in happiness, resilience to stress, and overall life satisfaction. The research on keeping a gratitude journal consistently shows that it causes people to be twenty-five percent happier. That seems a small trade for feeling better about, well, pretty much everything in life.

THNX4

5 31 Priceless Love Quotes for Every Lover Out There. Love can be the highest of highs as well as the lowest of lows. Many of these quotes about love capture the passion and beauty of being in it. Others offer the hope that after a heartbreak, one can still go on to find love another day. My favorite is from one of our national treasures, Maya Angelou, “Love recognizes zero barriers.”

Also, something hopeful for those who are single, 6 Mantras To Recite If You’re Single On Valentine’s Day & Trying To Embrace It. I like, “You are never alone” and “I am open to all possibilities – today and every day.”

THE POWER OF POSITIVITY
ELITE DAILY

6 Love, Gratitude Meditation. This meditation is one that I often use when teaching new meditators or when I am working with people from different meditation practices because everyone can relate to love and gratitude. Try this: breathe in slowly through your nose, silently saying, “love.” Then, slowly breathe out, silently saying, “gratitude.” Sound simple? It is and profoundly effective. Start with five minutes. Each time you meditate, increase the length of time you sit. I often meditate for thirty minutes at the start of my day.

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7Gratitude – Moving Art. I have watched this inspiring video many times. Always, my heart is touched by the imagery of filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg and the words of Benedictine Monk Brother David Steindl-Rast — who also has a beautiful TED talk on happiness.

LOUIE SCHWARTZBERG
BR. DAVID STEINDL-RAST

8The Most Beautiful Short Love Stories. These are short real-life love stories from around the world. The article reflects what I have always felt about documenting life as it unfolds – you cannot make this stuff up. Life will tell you a great story if you are patient. I love the unexpected story titled, “A Well-deserved Prom Night.” The article’s overall message is that love is powerful, despite place and circumstance.

PLANET OF SUCCESS

The Art and Science of Happiness in Action
Gratitude Letter

Write a letter to someone who has significantly impacted you, though you have never expressed your gratitude toward them. Tell them what they did, how it made you feel, and why you are grateful. Then send the letter. If possible, deliver and read the letter to them in person, or over Zoom/Skype/Facetime. It will make their day and yours.

It will make my day if you share your experience on the
Picture Happiness: Take a Shot Facebook page.

GREATER GOOD SCIENCE CENTER, UC BERKELEY

” Thoughtful

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,
it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

~ St. Paul, Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)

Upcoming Sojourn Experience | May 31st – June 10th, 2020

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11-Day Pilgrimage to Istanbul with Loyola Marymount University Lecturer of Modern Greek Studies V. Rev Father John S. Bakas, the Dean of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Los Angeles
This trip includes luxury accommodations, most meals, all transfers, expertly guided sightseeing tours, entry fees, and domestic flights.
Visit: Istanbul, Izmir, and Cappadocia

Pilgrimage DETAILS

Words from Past Pilgrims

“I feel truly blessed to have taken the journey with you at the helm Fr. John — for always lifting us up, encouraging us to be our best.”

“Inspirational, mystical, spiritual, powerful, peaceful, magical, and full of love and blessings.”

“A trip of a lifetime! A dream come true! Thank you! The best experience — new friends, fond memories.”

LEARN MORE HERE

Sojourn Programs

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Insight Timer App | Silent Wisdom Meditations
As many of you know, I teach meditation. Last year, I started recording meditations for the Insight Timer app. I hope you will enjoy the free guided sessions. Why meditate? It is scientifically proven that it helps to increase your overall well-being, and you can do it anywhere! Meditation is about as close as one can get to a wellness silver bullet. Please follow me on the Insight Timer app.

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Happiness: The Art of Life Balance
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 teach the habits of successful happy people. I have put together a program that can fit into anyone’s schedule and can be joined anytime.

Learn More

Happy Weekend!
Maria and Team Sojourn
Learn More | +800-869-0538

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Maria Baltazzi
PhD, Conscious-Centered Living | MFA, Film


Emmy-winning TV Producer, Certified Happiness Trainer, Transformational Travel Ambassador

About
The Sojourn Experience is a conscious-centered company with a portfolio of three entities. Sojourn Explorers curates transformational experiences to extraordinary places around the globe. Part of the money for each trip goes to nonprofit organizations that we believe in. Through Picture Happiness: Take a Shot, Maria helps professionals uplevel the quality of their thoughts and habits. She designs Happiness programs and workshops as well as leads retreats. Finally, Sojourn looks to create media 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.

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