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Hello! Maria Baltazzi here. Happy Father’s Day to those who are! My father transitioned from this earth nine years ago this month. I think about him every day and the many lessons he taught me. I admire the moral compass he followed. Also, I am very grateful for how well he took care of my mom to live out her remaining days. I often feel his energy hovering around me. I think, once a dad, always a dad in whatever form they take. Stay safe. Stay well. Enjoy this edition of our 8 Good Things newsletter! 
P.S. How to fly safely this summer. P.S.S. I’m a U.S. citizen. Where in the world can I go? The short answer is a lot of places! P.S.S.S. Please forward this 8 Good Things newsletter to your family, friends, and colleagues. It may brighten up someone’s day. Perhaps, even help somehow live life a little better. 
June 18, 2021 
Partner Like a Pro: Five Golden Another reason to admire Sir Richard Branson. Here are his thoughts on building great teams. At number five and my favorite golden rule is “have a whole lotta fun along the way.” Number four is to “build a rock-solid sense of community.” If anyone has defined making money while having fun and caring about others, it is this man. I have always admired Branson’s approach to doing good in the world through his brand businesses. Long gone are the days of a Gordon Gekko “greed is good” approach to business. This was made even more apparent this past year when both individuals and companies came to the startling realization that we needed to reimagine how business gets done. It is most definitely time to choose WE thinking over ME thinking. Discover this article from VIRGIN. 
If You Want to Be Happy, Try to Make Someone Else Happy I learned this pillar of life in my science of happiness studies, which is also part of many wisdom traditions. However, new research is showing what the ancients had intuitively known to be true. Essentially, the study shows that when given a chance to do something to make themselves happier or someone else, the test candidates were happier when they did for others. It did not matter whether it was for a stranger or someone they knew. It was the act of doing good for someone else that mattered, even more so when they did something kind and left a note for the recipient versus being anonymous. Bottom line: people want to do nice things for others AND want the extra points! Discover this article from GREATER GOOD MAGAZINE. 
A Magical Mantra for This four-minute, nine-second TEDtalk presented by a Sri Lankan monk encapsulates for our times the words of the thirteen-century German theologian Meister Eckart. “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough.” These are two words I say every day throughout the day. It makes a positive difference in one’s worldview. I found it has helped train me to look for the good. By seeing the good and being grateful, you invite even more of it. Being thankful is circular and compounds in positivity. Even when things are dark, I look for the light and say, “thank you.” I feel better and many times reassured. 
Despite Everything, Most Older Millennials Are Content with How their COVID has shifted the perspective for many forty-something millennials. There has been an exodus from major metropolitan areas by the millions, along with a greater appreciation for their loved ones, work, and financial security. While money matters, it does only up to a point, say about ninety-five thousand dollars a year. Discover this article from MAKE IT. 
An Eating Psychology Coach Helps You Step Into the Healthiest Mindset Ahead of Summer I like and agree with the subtitle of this article: reframing your thoughts, embracing your body, and wearing exactly what you want. It was shocking to read that seventy-eight percent of American girls hold an unhappy image of their bodies by the age of seventeen. That is way too young! And really, it should not ever be the case. Some sound advice: connect your body with (healthy) joy, reframe your thoughts to positive and supportive ones, be kind to and patient with yourself, AND diversify your social feeds. Better yet, limit them! 
This Is The Best Way To Say ILY, Based On Your Partner’s Love Language In the last edition of 8GT, I shared the five languages of apology. This time around, I am sharing the five languages of love made popular by author Dr. Gary Chapman. They are 1) words of affirmation, 2) quality time, 3) physical touch, 4) acts of service, and 5) receiving gifts. These love languages apply to any kind of relationship, not just romantic. Discover this article from ELITE DAILY. 
101 Ways to Have Fun This Summer Some folks are already busting out their passports. While others are still keeping them tucked away in a drawer. Either way, here are different ways you can have a blast this summer. The categories are: One, spend as much time outside as possible. Two, eat and drink somewhere other than your kitchen. Three, learn how to move your body again. Four, ditch the sweats. Five, be on (or near) a body of water. Six, upgrade your summer gear. Seven, start planning travel again. Eight, become an outdoorsy person. Nine, spoil yourself. Ten, hit the open road, and Eleven and the best category, hug your loved ones. Discover this article from CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER. 
Feel-Good Books to Brighten Your Summer For those who want to flop and drop somewhere and turn a few pages before taking a nap. Discover this article from THE WASHINGTON POST. Sojourn Programs
I am guiding LIVE meditations on the Insight Timer app. Come sit with me! You can also follow my meditation circle.
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. This app is a tool that helps you do great things. Use it to organize your weekly tasks. You can listen to music from your Spotify list as you work. Their daily videos offer productivity tips, inspiring quotes, and mindfulness techniques to get you into the zone and realize your potential. No one is going to write the next great novel while endlessly scrolling through their social media feed. Check it out. Sojourn Getaways
ONLY two spots left! We have thoughtfully curated a transformative journey covering the last 100 kilometers of the Camino de Santiago’s most popular route, The French Way. We also chose this route because it is doable for almost anyone, no matter their age. This pilgrimage will be really popular this year. One, because people are traveling again. Two, it is a holy year, which only happens once every eleven years when St. James’ feast lands on a Sunday. This is when the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela opens a special door for pilgrims to pass through and have all their past wrongs forgiven. 
Two of the hidden gems of Africa are Zambia + Malawi. We have partnered with our Experience Specialist Mike Varndell to curate and guide a photographic safari. This trip combines everything you want in an African adventure through a mindful lens. Indeed, an inner and outer journey you will always remember. Please join me for this unique small group sojourn. 
Nothing says African safari more than the Kenyan bush. Truly, an awe-inspiring sensory landscape that is humbling to experience. The most iconic way to do it is to move every few days and set camp like the old explorers, except with more creature comforts. We are offering an extraordinary photographic mobile safari camp experience that can be curated to your desires. This adventure is perfect for families and small groups. 
I was meant to visit this place, then COVID-19 hit. This private game reserve is a place I have heard of for quite some time and was looking forward to finally experiencing it. I had done a limited series for Discovery’s Animal Planet in the general area of Sabi Sabi. The show followed three former Navy SEALS and a Green Beret as they taught rangers in the Greater Kruger Area anti-poaching strategies. While I was near Sabi Sabi, I never made it to the lodge. I will get there on my next trip to South Africa.
Special Guest Invitation
Stay four consecutive nights, pay for three *Excluding some peak season dates 
I could quite happily exist here for a while. While you are enjoying the breathtaking scenery, know that this lodge’s conservation objective is to restore and sustain the historic biodiversity of its Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. They pride themselves on using a scientific approach to conservation with an on-site research department. Their vision is to create best practice protocols that can be used by other conservation efforts regionally and internationally.
Special Guest Invitation
Stay four nights and receive fifty percent off the fourth night Minimum four nights 
I am still dreaming about this newest island resort in the Maldives. It is uniquely beautiful. Their clean, sophisticated modern design is where minimalism meets the environment in a balanced way that is in harmony with each other.
Special Guest Invitation | December 19th, 2021
Sojourn Explorers is happy to curate a Maldivian experience that is the perfect post-COVID getaway. Here is one possibility.
Special Guest Invitation | Now – December 20th, 2021
Stay a minimum of four nights 
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. Sojourn Cares
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 almost 750 miles.
My fundraising page remains open. Every donation is meaningful to those in need. Bless you for caring. Picture Perfect
Winners of the 2021 Big Picture Natural World Photography Competition
Stay safe. Stay well. 
Maria Baltazzi 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 
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