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8 Good Things is a curated bi-weekly newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes. It is part of my commitment to serving a greater good. Please let me know if there is something you would like to share with my readers. Content falls into three buckets. Sojourn Explorers is about travel and exploration. Picture Happiness is about conscious living. Sojourn is about photography, storytelling, and the entertainment industry.

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

1Stephen Hawking’s Last and Most Inspiring Message to Humanity. Hawking believed that we must continue our mission into space for the future of humanity. He did not think that: “we will survive another thousand years without escaping beyond our fragile planet…[So,] remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet…Be curious…While there’s life, there is hope.”

2Speaking of space. ‘Luxury Space Hotel’ Could Cater to Travelers by 2022. Wow, sign me up! I am just going to keep putting it out there that I have my sights on going into space! I want to do more than look up at the stars. I want to be in them. As Walt Disney said: “if you can dream it, you can do it.” I am with Hawking and Disney. Dream big!

3Study Suggests Meditating Can Prevent Age-related Mental Decline. “A recent study finds that a continuous meditation practice is associated with improvements in sustained attention.” The article says that a 2017 report revealed that only eight percent of adult Americans meditate. I teach three types of meditation, and one of the biggest cited reasons for not meditating is time. Though, even five to ten minutes a day will help quiet the white noise in your head and calm your overall nervous system if done on a regular basis. My invitation: spend five to ten minutes less on social media. You will be better for it. I have had a daily meditation practice for several years now. I promise it is a game-changer.

4Lt. Col. Jannell MacAulay Shares the Importance of the Mindful Minute. Even the military is getting onboard with the practice of mindfulness meditation. As the Lt. Col., my journey into meditation began as a personal one to better manage my thoughts and deal with work-related stress. Now like her, I am sharing and teaching how meditation can up-level the quality of thoughts, ergo, your life.

510 Ways to Have a Better Conversation. Why should we care about this 2015 TED Talk topic? Because it is still relevant. At this moment in time, we are still more polarized and less likely to compromise than we have ever been in history. What that translates to and is the point of this TT — we do not hear each other. Take the ten minutes to (re)learn the art of talking and listening. Suggestion number one, stop multitasking and be present. Though the most important suggestion, number nine, is to listen.

6How To Get Your Own Jurassic Park Night Vision Goggles. In honor of the June 22nd release of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, a throwback to the original Jurassic Park. “If you have seen Jurassic Park, then you already know about the scene in which Tim puts on the night vision goggles and sees the Tyrannosaurus Rex for the first time — an iconic moment in Steven Spielberg’s film. Now, it looks like you can own a piece of cinematic history for yourself.” Yep, for you film fans, you can now buy the classic Jurassic Park night goggles, though you should know that they do not actually give you night vision. They are just super cool to own.

7In case you have not noticed, it is Friday the 13th! Did you know? Friggatriskaidekaphobia is the word used to describe the fear of Friday the 13th. Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number thirteen itself. The fear of Friday the 13th may have all started with the Last Supper, which happened on a Thursday. Thirteen guests, including Jesus, attended. The next day, Good Friday, we all know what happened to Jesus.

8When Is Greek Easter 2018? Orthodox Holiday Celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus. An article for those curious to know the difference between Greek Easter (just passed on April 8th) and ‘regular’ Easter (celebrated on April 1st.) For the record, I celebrate Greek Easter. My favorite food to eat, Easter Bread, called Tsoureki. (If you want to know how to make it, click the recipe button.)

“We keep moving forward,
opening new doors, and doing new things,
because we’re curious and curiosity keeps
leading us down new paths.”
~ Walt Disney

Sojourn Expeditions

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

Breakfast with hippos floating around in the background, simply idyllic, and there is so much more to experience. Africa has long been my favorite place in the world, and I love sharing it with others. Great Plains Conservation’s Wild Studio was started by award-winning National Geographic filmmakers Beverly and Dereck Joubert. Whether you are a pro or an amateur, you will have the extraordinary experience of photographing lions, leopards, elephants, and buffalo. The best part is that there will be a veteran wildlife photographer there to give you tips on getting great shots. Leave with a fantastic portfolio of your wildlife adventure. Please join the Wild Studio Team and me on a uniquely curated safari that will tap into your true inner-photographer. This journey can be experienced with a group of friends or as a personal sojourn. The choice is yours.

Greek Islands | Inquire About Dates
Take some well-earned time out sailing and hiking the islands in the Aegean Sea. Explore with me. Hike, swim, or hang on the boat. Meditate. Do restorative yoga. Eat great food, and do like Zorba. Dance! Opa!! Bring together a group of six friends and set sail on your very own Greek Odyssey.

Sojourn Programs

Happiness: The Art of Life Balance
I am committed to helping those who sit in the overwhelm, continually feeling out of time, and always stressed. As a longtime TV producer, I have been there many times over and have spent more than a decade studying what to do about it. Now, I work with professionals 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. For a complimentary consultation, please contact me.

By Appointment
Offering personalized sessions in Restorative/Yin Yoga, Mindfulness, Primordial Sound Meditation, Prayer of the Heart Meditation. 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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