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Hello Sojourners!

I hope this edition of 8 Good Things continues to find you staying safe and remaining healthy. Though, I think for many, we are hitting the wall being at home. It seemed last week was a tough one for those I spoke with, myself included. By the end of the day, I am crispy from being in constant Zoom meetings. I feel thankful for every happiness, mindfulness, meditative tool I have in my emotional first-aid kit. So, the articles and videos that I am sharing this time are meant to keep all of us uplifted. Plus, ways to keep well and resilient as we soldier on during these uncertain times.

8 Good Things is a curated newsletter of inspirational and informational articles, videos, and quotes. If my thoughts about an article or video interest you, please click the ‘source’ button (e.g., NEW YORKER) to learn more. If you come across a story you would like me to consider sharing, please send it to explorer@sojourn-intl.com. This newsletter comes out once every three weeks.

Inquire About Travel Destinations

1 The Best Virtual Safaris to Do From Your Living Room. For those who dreamt of going on safari this year, or in general, the next best thing to being there. It will keep your dream alive. Fun going on a virtual sunset drive through the bush with a guide to spot the Big Five in South Africa, or watch gorillas in the Congo in their jungle habitat.

Inquire About Being Happy

2‘Praying Is Not Enough.’ The Dalai Lama on Why We Need to Fight Coronavirus With Compassion. The Dalai Lama put forth the concept of “emotional disarmament” – a way of seeing that is detached from fear or rage, and instead to see things realistically with the understanding that we are an interdependent world. We all have “universal responsibility.”

3How to Be Your Best Self in Times of Crisis. A forty-five minute special virtual TED conversation about building emotional courage and resilience amid this pandemic. It is a reflective look at how this time is calling us to tune into our wisdom and dance between the beauty of life and its fragility. This talk asks to consider what happens beyond our expectations and goals. What are our emotions of grief, fear, and anger telling us right now? Ultimately, how will we define happiness moving forward?

4The Power of Mindfulness: Reshape Your Brain for Calm and Compassion. Our lifestyle and behavior radically shape our brains. Mindfulness meditation can build your mental muscles, helping you to become more calm, compassionate, and aware, both on and off the cushion — something, that is particularly useful these days.

5America’s Face-mask Culture Is Changing, and Their Meaning Changes Too. We are so used to reading people and forming judgments about them based on their facial expressions that are now getting covered. These days, we are looking for and communicating by other means. Think becoming much more expressive with hand gestures. If your ethnicity, like mine, is from one of the Mediterranean cultures, where you can only speak with your hands, you already know what to do. Those who are more reserved may be challenged. There are some other noteworthy things about wearing a mask featured in this article as well.

6 The Top 11 Foods for Boosting Your Immune System. To name a few on the list, red peppers, garlic, cauliflower, beans. We so often turn to vitamins and supplements to get healthy, when what we really need to do is pay more attention to what we put on our plate. If there was ever a time we need to have a strong immune system, it is now. There are also some easy cooking ideas. The roasted cauliflower sounds delicious!

Inquire About Media Partnerships

7 Balcony Seats: Watching Movies From Apartment Buildings. We do love our movies. It is one of the ways we escape when we are troubled, stressed, or just in need of a break from doing anything. Even though we cannot go to the theaters right now, people around the world are figuring out creative ways to see their favorite films on the big screen. I did this with friends the other weekend. They set-up a screen on their front lawn with chairs physically distanced apart. I brought my own popcorn, and we all settled in to watch Raiders of the Lost Ark.

8A Moment of Light With Roma Downey. My friend, the beautiful actress Roma Downey, has a new YouTube channel of uplifting videos. The words are beautiful. The imagery is gorgeous. A wonderful place to mentally pause.

” Thoughtful

“Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.”
~ Lao Tzu

The Art and Science of Happiness in Action
Random Acts of Kindness

First, take one day and commit to doing five random acts of kindness. The acts can be big or small, each one being different. Three examples. Bringing food to someone who cannot go out. At the market, allowing someone behind you with fewer items to go first. If you have an extra mask, offering it to someone without one.
Second, afterward, write down each act and how it made you feel.
Why This Works: You become more aware of positive social interactions, which cause you to feel better about yourself,
and so happier.
Time Required: Varies depending on the act
Frequency: On-going

Levity

How one pet owner made a fine art museum for their guinea pig.
I introduce you to the Piggeneheim Museum.

Sojourn Programs

All through May, as a way to stay inspired, to stay relaxed, and to be resilient, I am offering donation-based online courses.

Mindfulness Creative Writing
Wednesdays + Fridays, 12:30 – 1:45 pm, Pacific Time. Suggested donation, $12 for each session.

TGIF Nourishing Body Scan Meditation
Fridays, 6:30 – 7:15 pm, Pacific Time. Suggested donation, $8 for each session.

Being Resilient: An Introductory Mindfulness 4-week Course
Saturdays, 10:30 – 11:45 am, Pacific Time. Suggested donation for the series is $40, $10 for each session.

All are welcome. Donations are not required, though much appreciated.

Part of The Sojourn Experience’s mission is to help our community cultivate a healthier mind, body, and spirit. While we are all staying a social honoring distance apart, I would like to share some other offerings to support your at-home self-care.

First is a downloadable PDF guide and recording to my Love, Gratitude meditation practice. Two things we can all use a lot of right now, and always.

Second, you can enroll for free in my online course, Happiness: Art of Life Balance.

Stay safe. Stay well.
Maria and Team Sojourn
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