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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.

We curate 8 Good Things with you in mind. Please let us know how we can make this newsletter a better experience for you. Also make sure to scroll all the way down to see my upcoming trips and programs.

Inquire About Travel Destinations

1Icebergs Can Be Emerald Green. Now We Know Why. This one is just because icebergs are so cool (pun intended.) I have been fortunate enough to have traveled to the bottom of the world twice. What stands out most in my mind are the icebergs as tall as New York skyscrapers and as long as city blocks. The “jade bergs” found only in Antarctica have captivated people for decades. It is that continent’s way of mixing blue and yellow together. Besides being beautiful to look at, these icebergs are iron-rich infused and provide nutrients that the algae need to survive.

230 Adventures to Have in a Lifetime. Every traveler has a bucket list, which I instead call a ‘hit list’ – far less dire sounding! Near the top of Conde Nast’s list, at number three, is hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, Turkey. I have ticked this one off, and it is well worth doing! Five is climb Mount Everest. Well, I only went as far as Base Camp, and that was good enough for me. Nine is still on my hit list, canoeing the Okavango Delta in Botswana. What about you?

3Not Sure Where to Travel Next? Let Your DNA Decide. As more people are doing DNA testing for their ancestry, it seems to be inspiring ancestral travel, where you go check out your family roots. Several years ago, I sorta did this in Venice, where the Baltazzi family began, and it was profound. I only did it in terms of going to the city. I did not actually dive into any family archives. However, it was very moving to be in the Piazza San Marcos knowing that in the eleventh century some ancestor likely walked across the same exact stones. Maybe they even stopped at the local cafe to have an espresso shot, like me.

Inquire About Happiness Mentoring

4The One Question Oprah Wants You to Ask Before You Make Any Decision. That question is “How do I use this in the service of something greater than myself?” I always ask: “Where shall I go? Who should I meet? What should I say and do?” I find asking these questions helps to open my awareness of the possibilities.

53 Tips from Harvard on How to Live a Happy Life. 1) Spend money on other people, and it does not have to be a lot. 2) Cultivate stable relationships, the quality of your closest friendships is huge. 3) Live in the present moment. True that! It is the only real moment that you have. In addition to this article, you can watch a talk on happiness and what science says about staying in the present moment.

6Why Saying “Thank You” Is Good For You. Consider developing a Happiness Hygiene Habit, aka being grateful. For two minutes a day, think of three things to be thankful for – this will help to train your mind to be more positive. I can attest to this being true. Science also says that doing this mental hygiene habit does make you happier. The article mentions keeping a Gratitude Jar as well, which I do at home. That jar was one of the most thoughtful gifts I received this past year (thank you, Dan and Robyn!) There is something nurturing about jotting down a note of thanks and dropping it into a clear jar that I see every time I come into my living room.

Inquire About Media Partnerships

7Multitalented and Multisensory. The extraordinarily talented storyteller and multimedia artist, and friend of several years, David Van Eyssen, uses being a synesthete to inspire his work. If you are wondering what being a synesthete is like, it is a medical condition in which your senses intermingle; sight may mingle with sound, taste with touch, for instance. David believes we all have the ability to associate our sensory experiences if only we tune into them. His colorful imagery is always so striking to me. They seem to be so multilayered, drawing me in closer to see what is going on in a particular piece.

8This Is Why You Always Struggle to Get Your Message Across. One way to stop struggling to get your message across is to begin by rephrasing what you are connecting your message to — especially if you are jumping into a conversation. I have also found this to be a great technique when doing interviews with people who have trouble cutting to the chase. This article offers three more effective strategies.

” Thoughtful

“I never lose sight of the fact that just being is fun.”
~ Katherine Hepburn

Sojourn Experiences | Inquire About Dates

Photographic Safari and Mindfulness Workshops
8 Days | $11,295 pp Kenya | $12,090 pp Botswana | for 4 guests

Sail and Hike | Aegean Sea, Greece
9 Days | $6,775 per person for 6 guests

Machu Picchu, Peru | Salkantay Horseback Ride
9 Days | $5,975 per person for 2 guests

*Pricing varies based on the number of guests and time of year.

Sojourn Programs

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 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.

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

Challenge

Start a New Habit.
Commit to it for the rest of the month.
~ scareyoursoul.com

? Reflect

What is most important to you?
~ myintent.org

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

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