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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.

1Signs of Spring Around the World – in Pictures. Cherry blossoms framing the Jefferson Memorial. How pretty and peaceful to see, and one of my favorite signs of Spring. March 20th marked the Vernal Equinox, many say this is the first day of Spring. However, Meteorologists say it was March 1st. Either way, Winter is over!

2A Guide to Transformational Travel. “Transformation is taking off,” and changing the way we travel. “People are trying to reinvent travel so it impacts clients on a more emotional level than ever before.” I am one of two North American Ambassadors for the Transformational Travel Council mentioned in the article. Our three key tenants for Transformational Travel: 1) going with intention, openness, and mindfulness; 2) engaging in challenging physical and/or cultural experiences; 3) taking the time for personal reflections and meaning-making.

3Why Snow in Eastern Europe is Turning Orange. Just happened this week. A phenomenon that occurs once every five years. So surreal looking, like something out of a sci-fi film!

4Is There a Science to Getting Luckier? Yes! Talent + Hard Work + Random Opportunity = Luck.

5Couple Meets at Speed-Dating Event, Fall in Love. He’s 92, She’s 80. I LOVE this story. It hits the core of what I think about age; it is just a number. This couple is doing more than simply enjoying each other’s company. Ha! They just returned from a seven-day cruise in the Caribbean! “You can sit and die, or you can get out and do things…” Carpe Diem at any age!

6How Reese Witherspoon Became One of the Most Powerful Women in Hollywood. As Women’s History Month comes to a close, read how this Oscar-winning actress has been using her voice behind the camera. Her mission is to both tell stories about women as well as create opportunities for them. “Women want real substance and premium, thought-provoking, well-made content and they want it now.”

722 Facts About Your Favorite Pixar Movies. If you love Pixar films as much as I do, read this article. It is a fun jaunt through the company’s history. Did you know? “Cars was Paul Newman’s final film and his highest-grossing?” I am sure when he played Cool Hand Luke, he never imagined his last film being an animated one centered around his love for car racing.

8The Radical Beauty of Africa in Portraits. Harmony found in opposites and the very unexpected. Over the course of his colorful career, photographer/performance artist Iké Udé has found extraordinary ways to reject the negative portrayal of Africans in Western media. In this Ted Talk, Iké shares photo portraits that blend rich colors with clothing, props, and poses to reflect the sophisticated beauty of Africa.

“Love yourself first, and everything else falls into line.
You really have to love yourself to get anything done in this world.”
~ Lucille Ball

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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