Developing an Unshakeable Mindset

In very simple terms, the purpose of life is to move through it with ease, love, and abundance. Living in faith and minimizing fear is arguably the most important foundation for a peaceful and happy life. This, however, can be quite a challenge as we’re constantly bombarded with options and challenges that make us question every moment and decision of our lives, leaving us riddled with fear and anxiety on a daily basis.

The human experience is inherently worrying. Whether its concern for our planet, our children, or our own personal ambitions, it’s very easy to feel overwhelmed by life itself.

Finding a calmness of spirit and faith in our journey aligns us with our true nature and equips us with an unshakable mindset. Those who are firm in their mindset stride forth into life without letting the unknown get them down. This unwavering strength in pursuit of their goals comes from the cultivation of a deep inner trust.

For some people, this mindset may appear God-given. They seem to have been born with an innate fearlessness, and a positive and buoyant disposition, while others grow up insecure and worrisome. For those who are not naturally buoyant, moving towards a fearless mindset can seem like an almost impossible task. This mindset is available to us all, as a strong and unwavering mindset comes from moving out of our heads and into our hearts.

While trying to use the mind to change the mind is often futile, we can actively move towards living in faith and through our hearts by strengthening the physical core.

The key in all of this is to have patience with the process. To actively and consciously work towards the goal on a daily basis, to be gentle on ourselves, and to know that we are in complete control of our own experience here on earth. Ways to achieve this include detoxifying physical movement, practicing conscious thought, and right eating.

In Kundalini yoga, the core is three fingers below the belly button. This is where a plethora of nerve endings, hormones, and emotions live. By creating a strong core and a harmonious inner system, we re-connect with our intuition and are able to live as our true selves, out of the way of fear and from our highest truth. It is possible to do this through physical movement, breath work, and nourishing food.

The following practices strengthen our core, inside and out, and let us unfold into our true brilliance.

1. Twisting asanas

Doing twisting poses helps to wring out toxins that contribute to physical discomforts and emotional stress. They push us to our limits physically which provides us with a good opportunity to recalibrate our responses to stress, asking us to breathe through the challenge while maintaining calmness and peace within. Try twisting crescent, twisting chair, and twisting half moon. Lead with your heart, holding for three to six deep breaths and remember to draw your breath slowly and deeply into your stomach during the poses.

2. Leg lift crunches

Slow, deliberate movements create a strong awareness of our core. These crunches let us draw energy from the fingertips to toes to activate and strengthen the core. Lie on your back, arms by your sides. Life your right leg and reach forward with your fingertips, then reach your arms overheard, keeping your shoulder blades off the ground while activating your core as your lower your leg. Lift your left leg while reaching forward again, and alternate between legs taking a moment with your arms overhead and legs straight out in between sides. Do this slowly and with mindfulness of your core, remaining aware of your naval to spine connection.

3. Fibrous foods

It’s critical that we allow our bodies the space and energy for effective maintenance. Fibrous foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are the best for this as they bind to toxins and escort them out of our systems. Digestion is the most energy intensive process of our bodies, and fiber assists with this, energizing our systems. When our digestive systems and clear and properly eliminating, the core is strong and the mind at ease.

4. Probiotics

There is a delicate yet incredibly powerful balance of microflora in our stomachs that serves as our internal apothecary. Here also resides many hormones that regulate our emotions, energy and physical cycles. The standard American diet, lifestyle, and practice of taking antibiotics for every ailment disrupts this critical balance. When we have discord in this area, it affects our immune systems our ability to effectively absorb nutrients from our food, and contributes to emotional issues like anxiety. Probiotics restore the intestinal balance and promote growth of healthy and nourishing bacteria, contributing to a harmonious inner environment that supports a calm and stable equilibrium.

5. Breath of fire

This cleansing and energizing breath connects you to your core and charges the nervous system, powered by abdominal contractions. Breath of fire creates and builds a cosmic change that brightens the body and clears the mind, creating radiance and light throughout our entire system. It helps release the need to control and enables us to surrender to the higher power of the cosmos that is always working to support and enhance our lives.

To do: Sit relaxed, eyes closed and focused on the point in between the eyebrows. Allow your breath to move in and out through the nose, mouth closed. Breathe rapidly in through your nostrils letting your stomach fill and expand  with air.The time is equal on the inhale and the exhale, with no pause in between. Starting out do for 1-3 minutes. It will make you light headed at first, so be aware of how you feel, and remember to stay strong and know that its simply blocked energy coming to the surface to be released. As time goes on, you’ll be able to do it for longer. This ancient and powerful breath work pumps fresh air deep into your lungs and stomach, gives your body a great aliveness and connection with the divine.

Having a fortified core through these practices enables us to live through our hearts and in our own strength. It empowers our intuition, and gives us the courage we need to pursue our goals, our true love, and rise towards our higher selves. It enables us to call forth our divinity and to feel truly alive and vibrant. Choose one or two of the things above to begin to cultivate a strong core, and feel the power move into other areas of your life.

Photo by Anton Repponen

This Spring Let Love and Grace Wash Over You

Rejoice in abundance, the earth is pouring forward golden sunlight – and in California golden poppies – and newness and perfection abound.

This Spring, that energy of ascension is what is being offered to you.

Soak in the bounty as darkness dissolves and purity prevails. Know that everything you desire is coming right to you, and release things like resentment, sorrow, and worry that block it.

Easter, in Pagan culture, refers to the resurrection or the coming again of Christ. Jesus is a medium for Truth, for love, for what is Real. For some that medium may be nature, it may be God, it may be Buddha; whatever the medium, the message is the same: that which is Real cannot die.

On a human, daily basis, that which is Real is kindness, love, grace, and forgiveness. Easter is an opportunity to resurrect our connection to source and let love shine brightly from each and every one of us, to burn like the midday sun, and to let light pour forth from our hearts.

The resurrection represents the eternity of the radiant splendor of Truth.

Enlightenment is available to us at every moment, opportune for us to select whenever we so choose. When we choose to remember that we were sent down from the stars as an incarnation of spirit – the unifying energy that turns the fetus into the baby and the bulb into the tulip and the acorn into the oak tree – we are attune to the fact that we were put here to spread love and kindness and compassion and light at every opportunity. Simple yet profound, have faith that this is the elixir to all that ails you.

This is what Easter and Spring are offering us: the space to make right-minded decisions, to spread peace, to let our highest selves reveal themselves. Be aware of habits that do not serve you, for now is the time to act with the wisdom of our ancestors and the innocence of a dewdrop.

Move forth in good faith, and know that you are eternally blessed, loved and protected.

Photo: Manuel Barroso Parejo

Third World Life Lessons

Photo by Phoebe Tillem

It seems that the countries with the tiniest, poorest people, seem to be the happiest. Why is this? What is it that makes these people, who appear to have so much less than us, so much more content? I’ve been fortunate to travel to a few of these places – India, Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Ecuador – and have observed some commonalities in all these places. Here’s what I noticed.

They have reverence & enjoy

Planet earth never ceases to amaze me. Volcanoes, oceans, jungles, stars – there is so much to savor, but we get so easily distracted by shiny new buildings and accessories and clothes that we forget to enjoy the gifts that nature puts right in front of us. There is so much to be delighted by each day but we overlook it due to ‘bigger’ or more important responsibilities. When we slow down and realize that life is meant to be enjoyed and each moment cherished, we can live with a lot more happiness and contentment.

Activity is part of daily routine

Watching little old women on riverbanks smack their laundry around on rocks and then carry their large baskets of fresh clothes home is some of the most impressive fitness I’ve ever seen. Our luxurious lives of convenience do not typically lend to a lean bod.

To build up more activity naturally in your life, ride your bike to run your errands, take a walking meeting, or offer to take your neighbors kids to the park for an afternoon. We have to combat the convenience of our lives to uplift our energy and keep our minds fresh and sharp.

They live simply

In a world of Amazon Prime and Chromecast, we can get everything we want right when we want it. This means we generally end up with much more than we need while still feeling like we don’t have enough.

We accumulate goods that fill our homes and allow drama to fill our heads, but avoid the quiet that fills our hearts. The key is to cut out the unnecessary. Most of the pain and suffering that exists comes from overactive minds and environments and over obligating to things that really don’t work for us.

Living simply means to reduce the noise, to enjoy the sunshine, and to make space for true meaningful abundance to work its way to you. People in third world countries don’t have a lot of physical things, but they also don’t have a lot of emotional chaos.

They take care of the community

In community-based countries, the best interest of the group is prioritized and celebrated, no matter who is in first place. Humans are social animals, and when we isolate ourselves by trying to out-run everyone else, we lose connection to the deep warmth from community that brings us true joy.

Nurture your relationships, take joy in other peoples’ successes, find ways to extend your heart to everyone around you and love will pour into your existence from every angle.

They take time for rest

At best stress can ruin your day, at worst it will kill you. Slowing down to nurture your body and let it regenerate will enable you to have a long and peaceful life. When we don’t rest, we deprive our body of the critical time it needs to refresh and regenerate for the next day. These things your body can only do when you’re in deep sleep, so it’s critical to take the time to allow yourself rest.

Nap after lunch, sleep in on the weekends, go to bed early on a Tuesday. Taking rest seriously enables us to get the most out of our waking hours, and does wonders to quiet and balance the mind.

They celebrate often

When I was in Ecuador, they celebrated a Saint every other day. Parades, fireworks, singing, the works. When I was in India, I would wake up every day at 5 am to the sound of drums and guitars and singing in the jungle. Celebration should be part of every day, not something reserved for a few times a year. The act of coming together to share joy and eat good food is the biggest and most energizing experience any of us can take on. Find reasons to celebrate and do it often, it will bring lightness to your heart and lifts your focus from the minutia and frustration of daily life to brightness, pleasure and beauty.

 

 

 

Don’t Grow Up, It’s a Trap: Why protecting your inner child will save your sanity

Youth is not an age bracket with an expiration date, it is a luminosity that comes from within and shines out of your face like golden sunbeams, no matter what age you are.

Looking and feeling young is not some egotistical need that exists for the purpose of appearances. It is critical for our mental stamina and emotional health and should guide our thoughts and actions on a daily basis.

Youth is where our innocence, curiosity and passions lie. When you think about children and the way they experience smells, sights, tastes, sounds – what a lust for life! It’s being connected to that freshness of spirit that allows us to be brought to life day after day, no matter how many times we’ve circled the sun.

Now, I love jewelry and expensive sushi as much as the next Los Angelean, but it’s quite clear that material wealth does not equal a life of happiness. Abundance comes not from getting everything we want, but from having an open heart and a youthful approach to every experience we have.

When we wake each day, we have a clean slate, a tabula rasa. This means the dust and the grit from yesterday has been washed away and we’re able to take today with the newness of a dew drop. This, I know, is not necessarily easy. We’ve all been lied to and had our hearts broken and had our dream shattered once or twice or more, and the weight of these old experiences shapes the way we view the world. But, if we can remember to remain innocent, optimistic, open-hearted – childlike, if you will – we can remain attached to the wonder that keeps life bold and bright, and full of possibility.

In a world where 27 is over the hill – a sincere thank you to everyone who reminds me of that each time they find out my age – it’s up to us to decide how we want to take on each moment, each hour, and each day.

Here are some tips on how to do it.

Have a lightness of heart

Life is not as serious as we make it out to be. Dry cleaner ruined your shirt? Get a new dry cleaner. Flat tire on the way to work? Get it fixed and go to work. Family driving you crazy? Take an afternoon to relax, explore, create.

Learn to go with the flow, to accept that you are in control of pretty much nothing but your perspective, and don’t get tied to plans because things mostly don’t go according to plan.

Don’t let the minutia of life make you a cranky c*nt. It’s not worth it. Loosen up and let it go.

Do what makes you come alive

We all know those people that look, just, tired. They’re not very friendly, negative, groggy; life does not look good on them.

DON’T BE THAT PERSON.

What get’s you enthused? Riled up? Motivated? If one thing doesn’t come straight to mind that stokes you out, find it and chase it. I’m not really one to say to “do one thing a day that scares you,” because that’s not super realistic, but you should be getting stoked out at least once a day. Whether it’s a bike ride, a jump in the ocean, or having a lively debate with your mates, get excited about something and get after it.

Be a life long learner

A curious and open mind will keep you young forever. Find things that pique your interest and read, study, listen to talks, whatever you can. The mind of a student is always expanding, and always empowered. You never know what information will serve you down the line, and knowing a little about a lot will enable you to connect with anyone in any situation. The best part about the internet is that we have access to all of the information – get curious and get some!

Smile

Smiling is good for your endorphins, and almost as importantly, public opinion of you. Smiling makes you more attractive, puts you in a better mood, and increases good vibes. It’s simple and it works, so do it.

The bottom line is, you weren’t put on earth to go to school, get a job, get married, have kids and grandkids, retire, and die. You were put on earth to have reverence for its wonder and make it a better place. Each day is an opportunity for that, regardless of how big or small. Have fun, get lively, and stay young; the world, and your spirit, will thank you for it.

Photo by Jeremy Bishop

Festival Season Survival Tips

Be above the rest and take measures to enjoy yourself and party properly with the following tips. Be smart for a blissful festie experience and to ensure you’re the funnest one out there.

1. Wear your sunblock

You do not want to be explaining to your grandkids that they need to wear sunblock because you learned firsthand in the desert wearing expensive hippie clothes how beautiful youth is until you don’t have it anymore.

Sunblock is the number one way to prevent aging. Get something that has zinc or titanium dioxide in it as those are the two most important ingredients for preventing skin cancer and visible signs of aging. I like DeVita.

The memories are not good enough to sacrifice the elasticity and tone of your complexion.

2. Drink water

Most disasters happen from not being hydrated enough. Don’t look like a rookie and let your fun get interrupted because you didn’t drink enough water.

Take care of yourself and stay hydrated. It’ll let you get the most out of your experience and, I can’t say it will take care of the guilt, but it will minimize the misery you feel once it’s all over.

You can also try Nuun tablets which are full of electrolytes and B vitamins to minimize hangovers and keep your energy high. Drop in your water to make it super tasty and even healthier.

3. Stretch

Checking in with your body is super important to do while you’re on a three, five, or ten day festival bender. You don’t have to take the yoga classes and get all sweaty with a bunch of fake yogis, you just need a little space to move a little on your own.

Stretching is energizing, helps release toxins, brings your attention to parts of your body that might be suffering, and increases blood and oxygen flow to all of your important organs. It’s as easy as folding forward over your legs and gently rocking your body from left to right. Try some quad stretches, or sit on the ground and reach for your feet folding over your legs. It doesn’t matter if you’re not flexible, stretching is effective even if you’re tight, and the more you practice the more limber you become.

4. Take superfoods

There are some powerful superfoods you can take that make staying well and strong really accessible. Here are some of my favorites.

Chlorophyll – pulls heavy metals from your system and helps to purify your blood and organs, and alkalizes your system

Hemp seeds – packed with protein to provide the structure for neurotransmitter, tissue and muscle regeneration

Fish oil – one of the highest sources of omega-3 essential oils to keep your system running smoothly, protect your skin from the inside out, and to support brain health

5. Pack smart

Props for healthy option food trucks at these events, but to save money and energy, bringing healthy and easy snacks of your own makes a huge difference. Pack apples, oranges, nuts, and bars to have for breakfast or to snack on in between sets. Hail Merry has awesome and easy treats to take with you. It will save your wallet and prevent you from getting hangry when nobody wants to see that again.

Kerala!

I grew up in England. My oldest and dearest friend decided to have her wedding in Kerala, India and invited me. I couldn’t say no so my best friend from LA, Tay, jumped on board, and after thirty hours of travel we arrived and had the most luxury trip of our young lives. Here are some pics. 

     

Why Courage is Your Best Asset

Party season has officially come to a close and 2015 is open wide and full of possibility. After carefully putting away (or throwing away) our sparkly dresses, it’s time to look within to ask what held us back in the past, and decide what we really want out of this year.

 

While moving to a new job, saving money, or getting out of an unhealthy relationship are all good resolutions, if we don’t take care to notice the underlying reasons of why we haven’t already done them, we’re likely to end up right back in 2014. Getting what we want through lasting change requires us to look at ourselves and to be vulnerable.

Lasting change takes courage.

Courage gives you the power to get everything you want from life and more. It gives you wings to go after your dream job, to ask out the babe that always smiles at you, and to create the body that you’ve always wanted. Having courage is to act from a place of faith that enables you to leap over obstacles and know that whatever you want is available to you, and that the world is ready and willing to give it to you.

How to develop fearlessness

Fearlessness is not living without fear, it’s going towards the unknown despite your fear. The first step in developing courage is to ask yourself what it is you really want.

The reason so many people are unhappy in jobs and marriages and life in general is because they live without defined points of what they really want. In order to have a life we love, it’s critical that we ask ourselves who we want to be, what we care about, and how we’re going to be the best expressions of ourselves.

Have the courage to ask yourself why you’re afraid. What can the world do to you? What can it do for you? You have a responsibility to yourself, to your heart, to ask these questions.

What makes your heart sing? What do you admire in other people? When have you felt strongest and most confident? Start by asking yourself these questions, and courage will begin to blossom within you. After you’ve created defined points, write them down. Talk to others that you trust and value, and find openings where you can work towards what you want. Small steps create big change, so start now.

Recognize that no experience is ever in vain

Everything that happens contributes to your betterment. Know this. Calm and joyful periods exist as a gift, but it is normal in life for troubles to arise. Challenges are here to teach us, to show us who we really are, and to give us a chance to grow.

Because of this, doing something courageous and going towards the unknown will always be for the best. Even if it ends in pain or loss, it is for the best. No effort is ever wasted, and every effort contributes to your growth. You may fall, but what is adversity if not to show us just how strong we are.

Realize that nothing is ever as bad as it seems

And that everyone else is just as scared as us. Fear makes us stuck. It keeps us in unhealthy relationships and soul sucking jobs. The liberation of releasing ourselves from the circumstances that bind us to pain is more powerful than anything that fear protects us from.

Knowing what to expect creates safety, but it also protects us from the surprises that the universe has to offer. Because our experience here is a projection of our perception, using conclusions that others have made – ie having a career and a family isn’t possible, settling with a guy is better than being alone, people aren’t worthy of your trust – prevents us from creating our own perfect and unique experience.

I understand this all sounds really nice in a world where obligations and life pressures don’t exist. The key is in creating a foundation that keeps you safe no matter what you do. This lies in a healthy body and mind, a good grasp on your finances, and solid relationships.

When you create the right foundation, being courageous isn’t all that scary. Here are the measures you need to put in place to make courage the only option.

Save money

Here’s a secret – if you put money in your savings account, you can still get to it if you need it. Start building it up. Even if it’s just $50 a month, it’s something. Having a cushion to fall back on if something goes wrong will give you massive piece of mind in pursuing what you want. Start saving. It’s easy, and actually pretty fun.

Nurture your relationships

Relationships are everything. In the realm of metaphysics, we are all connected and our success depends on the success of others, and their success depends on ours. Every person you meet could be your next boss or client or mentor or best friend. That’s the beauty of being human, you never know who’s going to come into your life and in what capacity.

Networking is not about building your rolodex (or whatever app has replaced that), it’s about building a network of people that you can connect to or connect to one another at any given time. If people like you, they will do whatever they can to support you.

Be trustworthy. Be a person of your word. Help people every chance you get – whatever you give will come back to you. This is not just a nice thing your mom taught you when you were young, it’s a fact. Share whatever you have – your time, your energy, your love, your money. Generosity is the greatest treasure.

Tend to your body and mind

Being in shape is not about vanity, it’s about taking care of the one true home you have for this lifetime. Eat real food, think positive thoughts, and get active in any way you enjoy. Having a strong and stable physical form to live in will provide you with the courage and strength to whatever it takes to get what you want out of life. Additionally, cultivating discipline around your food and exercise will give you the will power to do what it takes to get whatever else you want out of life.

To be courageous is to live through the heart. It means to live in love and in trust; to forget the past and allow the future, and to discover meaning and perfection in the present. Cultivating courage is the only way to get what you want out of life. Living in courage is scary, but looking back at a life full of regrets is terrifying. Move towards your fear and you will move towards your joy. Small steps, you’ll get there.

 

That Which You Seek Lies Within

I think about God a lot. Not in a heaven and hell, old man in the sky sort of way, but in a deep reverence for the power that keeps the planets in orbit and the stars in the sky sort of way. I’ve learned, through much reading, research and practice, that this very same power lies within each of us.

Yes, the power that turns the fetus into the baby and the bulb into the rosebush is the same force that each and every one of us as humans carries within. The difference between humans and animals or plants is that we have the power to say yes or no, and that we are at the effect of the mortal realm. The mortal realm makes us forget that which we truly are, which is a perfect creation of the divine.

Excuse me for getting so mystical, but this truth is nothing short of spectacular.

If you look at a baby, it’s generally joyous and at ease and playful. That is the true nature of us all, but heartbreak and bills and mean bosses make us forget this, and as we get older the burdens of life seem to outweigh the pleasures. The purpose of life is to remember the joy that we were created with; it is to adjust our perceptions to be open to the miracles that are available to us at every moment.

Our lives are up to us to create, of course, and seeing the beauty of life is not foolish, it is profound.

Dwelling in the negative, asking why me, or letting suffering get the best of you simply gives power to that which is concerning you. Adversity builds character, and recognizing difficulties as tests enables you to learn and grow. Maintaining a ‘beginner’s mind,’ that which is open and flexible instead of rigid and closed, allows you to ebb and flow with the tides of life.

Life is messy. That’s just the truth, and you can fight it or you can accept it. No one has it perfect, all we can do is our best. It is by that which cannot be taken away that we must define ourselves.

That which cannot be taken away comes from within.

Life, especially in the United States, is defined by our accomplishments. Accomplishments are extremely important. They build self-esteem, they let us explore and display our best qualities, and they have the power to make the world a better place. However, have you ever accomplished something only to find that the completion of it leads you to yearn for the same thing you wanted when you started out?

Making a certain amount of money, buying a home, and tying the knot – things our culture trumps as its highest values- tend not to deliver the joy and satisfaction they seemingly would. If they did, we’d have a lot less depression, divorce, and dissatisfaction in general. Ever met anyone who seems like they have it so good, then come to find out how sad, confused and lost they feel? Try reading a tabloid.

While taking care of our outer life is critical to our financial stability and worldly obligations, taking care of our inner life sets the stage for us to be happy no matter how much or how little we have. And, if you’re reading this right now, I’m telling you, you’ve got a lot.

Ok, back to God. Or creation, or Mother Nature, or the universe, or whatever word makes you feel comfortable. It lives within you.

There is a story that God used to live on the earth, but every day humans would come to him with their troubles. One person would ask for rain, and another would ask for sunshine, and it was impossible to please everyone. So he decided to go to the highest mountains, but climbers found him. So then he decided to go to the moon, but then space travel found him. So then he decided he would live within man, because man would never find him there.

That which you seek lies within. The peace, the power, the mental fortitude, the joy, it’s all within. It’s not in the ‘right’ home, or the ‘right’ person, or the ‘right’ mega-yacht. It’s in you.

Go inside. Spend time alone, in silence, and yes, in meditation. True happiness is properly manifested through physical and mental soundness.

At a time when religion seems to belong to extremists, it’s important to discover the truth for yourself. Having faith doesn’t mean leaning on something or discriminating others for taking a different path. It means tapping into your oneness with this planet, and recognizing that we and the birds and the rocks and the trees are all created of the same matter.

God is not a force to watch over and punish you, it’s a divine energy that can be accessed at any point to heal, uplift and guide you.

Be grateful for your health, your home, the sun and the sky. It may sound simple-minded, but a simple mind is one free of drama and free of delusion, both of which make this beautiful life a harsh one. If you have pain, look at it. It’s there to teach you something. If you feel lost, do something. If you don’t feel heard, use your voice to help someone who really doesn’t have a voice. There is always a direction to go. Inward is a good place to start.

Photo by Sebastian Boguszewicz

Sorry Not Sorry: 6 Habits Every #GirlBoss Needs for Living at the Top

1. Do you

Workout, have your nails done, get lots of sleep, do things that make you feel good. Properly taking care of yourself prepares you to show up fully for other people. We often treat others better than we treat ourselves, which is nice in the short run but detrimental in the long term. It’s true that you can’t share with others what you don’t give to yourself, and your best self should be your primary interest. This kind of selfishness doesn’t advocate ignoring our responsibilities or stepping on others to get ahead, it means taking care of your own human needs so that you can show up 100% for life.

2. Don’t apologize

Everything you do should be done with complete conviction. You know yourself and what you stand for, and don’t feel the need to seek approval in every activity. Because you seek to be understood, you always take the opportunity to explain your position or action if needed, but you never back track or have to apologize for what you’ve done. You’re firm in your heart and mind and trust your intuition.

3. Eat like you love yourself

Your body is your biggest ally when it comes to being incredibly successful, treating it as best as you can gives you the energy you need to head to the top. This means eating whole foods filled with the harmonious and powerful vibration of the earth, and cutting out toxic products with artificial ingredients, being conscious of how your emotions and habits play into your relationship with food. Eating pure, vibrant food nourishes your spirit and gives you the fuel you need to be your best self.

4. Don’t hate

Talking badly about, being jealous of, and judging others makes you look weak and unkind, which, ahem, probably isn’t far from the truth. It’s easy to see other people’s flaws, because as humans we have a lot of them. Seeing the goodness in others is a lot harder. Recognizing people for their strengths brings the best out in people, and helps you develop sincere and lasting relationships. Being the person that sees people in their best light gives you an immediate aura of authority. It removes petty drama from your consciousness, opening up space for higher and more productive forms of thought, like pursuing your goals and creating success.

5. Practice forgiveness

Being angry or holding a grudge only harms one person: you. Processing your emotions in regards to a painful experience is a necessary part of mature human growth. So is letting it go. Dwelling on the past or holding other people responsible for your unhappiness or mistakes that they made only detracts from your ability to release hurt and move forward. Everything we experience is a test. We can chose to suffer, or we can learn from those tests and be grateful for them. Choosing gratitude makes you soar.

6. Get comfortable being alone

Silence and alone time are critical to your personal and professional success. Being comfortable in your own presence enables you to let your inner wisdom speak and come forth. The human mind has a lot of doubt, but the human body has a lot of wisdom. Removing the distractions that come in the forms of noise and other people gives you the space to access that wisdom.

Meditation is the best way to do this, but starting out can be difficult, so doing solo activities is a good place to begin. Yoga, hiking, ocean swimming, or spending an afternoon in a new part of town are all great ways to enjoy your own company and watch your thoughts. The more time we spend in silence the more we can control our reactions to things, and create a deep and undisturbed inner peace. Developing a practice of stillness and quiet protects you from being at the effect of the ups and downs of life. It also improves your self-esteem and reduces doubt and anxiety, helping you to access the knowledge that you have the power and ability to create the life of joy that you want and deserve.

10 Rules for Traveling

1. Walk everywhere

It will counterbalance all of the pastries and wine you indulge in, and you should be able to fit in your seat on the flight home.

2. It’s ok if you don’t know the language

If someone is speaking to you and you don’t understand, imitate their facial expression and nod your head. You won’t offend or get yourself into any uncomfortable positions, and at some point they’ll realize you have no idea what they’re saying.

3. If someone looks threatening

Stand up tall, walk confidently, and smile at them. They’ll smile back and you’ll realize you’re generally a judgmental butt hole.

4. If you lose your luggage

Learn how to tell people the airline lost your luggage. You’ll get tons of sympathy, which you need, because you definitely won’t be getting it from your airline.

5. Look at the old people

Their dark leathery skin will remind you what you don’t want to end up with. Wear your sunscreen.

6. Don’t smoke cigarettes

No matter how local you think it makes you look.

7. Eat everything typical to the region

Don’t be a wimp. Don’t offend your host.

8. Go where the locals go

There is no bigger vacation buzz kill than listening to an elderly American couple order loudly and slowly.

9. Don’t get too attached to your itinerary

The best experiences come from entering the unknown. Be free and easy, you’ll be rewarded.

10. Have reverence:

‘Share your joy, your love, your ecstasy. Make life as beautiful as possible. Just out of thankfulness that existence has chosen you to be, that you are allowed to be, that you are given life. What else can you do?’ Osho