Why is it that we tend to judge by appearance before we even know a person or the kind of day they are having? There are outward behaviors that tell us a little about a person on the surface such as cleanliness, being on time/early/late and mood or verbal expression.
Read MoreAccording to the Merriam-Webster dictionary synchronicity is: The coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (such as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality
Read MorePut your comfy yoga or sweat pants on, grab a bowl of ice cream, tea or a glass of wine and let’s discuss "The Alchemist." We may all be from different places, but today, I invite you into my home, virtually, where I am hosting our first ever Online Book Club! After all, community and connections are a vital part of our happiness and success. The book club is a great way for all of us to share insights and get to know each other a little better.
Read MoreAre you ready to escape the cold of winter in reality or at least in your mind? A Greek island cruise is a dream trip for many and one that I highly enjoyed myself. The Greek islands are diverse, beautiful and steeped in culture and history. If you love sunshine, azure seas (deep blue) and good food, you'll definitely want to add Greece to your bucket list.
Read MoreMany people are intimidated by meditation because they associate it with quieting the busy mind, which can be difficult at first. But meditation by definition is, “a written or spoken discourse expressing thoughts on a subject. Musing. Concentration. Reflection. Pondering” (source: Google Dictionary). So, when we think of it like this rather than trying to stop thinking altogether, meditation becomes much more approachable. What we resist will always persist. Allow the process and trust that the results of meditation will be worth the effort.
Read MoreThe average American gets around 6.8 hours of sleep each night, when the ideal amount is around 8 hours. Our bodies need sleep in order to heal and regenerate. Our brains also need time out to process information and to rest. If we continually deprive ourselves of sleep, our bodies and our minds are not able to function at their maximum potential and eventually we get into the habit of being tired throughout much of the day. If you want to feel more energetic, make it a habit of getting around eight hours of sleep each night. Not only will you be able to think more clearly and creatively, you will also be healthier.
Read MoreWe are all human and none of us are perfect. We all have flaws and fears. We also all possess the ability to love fiercely. What is it about vulnerability that scares us and makes us feel weak? Being Vulnerable means loving and accepting ourselves, admitting to times when we are wrong or make a mistake, accepting and acknowledging our weakness in order to grow, and forgiving ourselves and others.
Read MoreSpending quality time with others is a form of love and making memories is a wonderful gift. My dad was a busy person when I was growing up. He was always on the go do this and doing that, but he didn’t take much time to just hang out with me and my siblings. Almost every summer we headed out west on a long trip, but even then, his focus was on being in the right place at the right time to take pictures. Yes, I have great memories from these trips and they are why I love travel and photography, but it wasn’t until the last ten years of my dad’s life that I really got to know him as a great friend.
Read MoreWords can be forgiven, but they are never forgotten. Tone is equally important. Not speaking or saying loving supportive words is also damaging and neglectful. To effectively communicate with others we must also be good listeners.
Read MoreThe “Four Agreements” is one of my favorite books. Its principals are foundational toward living a good life and pragmatic life. Author Don Miguel Ruiz started his career as a medical doctor. According to the bio on his website, “A near-fatal car crash forever changed the direction of his life, however, causing him to leave medicine and to examine the essential truth about life and humanity.” In 1997 he published “The Four Agreements,” which became a New York Times bestseller for nearly ten years.
Read MoreSpring is a time of renewal and growth. We have spent the winter letting go and shedding what we no longer need in order to make room for what is to come. Just as the lotus flower rises through mud to bloom, we too have to rise up to become our best selves. Part of that is what we feed our body and the other part is what we feed our soul. In this blog we are going to focus on what we feed our bodies. Bathing suit weather is approaching and whether you are thinking about getting your body ready or not, it is always good to take a look at your diet and see where you can do a little improving.
Read MoreThis is the blog post that I didn’t want to write, and yet it kept nagging me to do so. Total Soulful Journey is about living joyful lives, but unfortunately we can’t hide our heads in the sand and expect horrible situations to go away and never come back on their own.
Read MoreWho am I? You are the Universe and The Universe is YOU. To trust the Universe you only have to trust yourself because you are one and the same. The Universe is not some external factor happening to you. We are all energy, perhaps made of stardust. We are souls temporarily living in these physical bodies.
Read MoreTOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 9
There is always something that you can be grateful for. Even in the worst of times this still rings true. Start with your breath, for example. Breathe in deeply and marvel at the wonder that is life. You are a living miracle and that is something to be grateful for. Look at your hands and think of all the amazing things that they can do for you. Go outside and listen to the birds. Think how incredible it is that you can hear them.
Read MoreTOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 8
Just as the trees shed their leaves and go dormant each fall, it is very important that we allow our bodies and our minds a season of rest. Winter is a great time for reflection and contemplation and a time to slow down in preparation for our spring revival. In the Ashtanga Yoga world we practice the Yamas & Niyamas as part of the 8 limbs of yoga, which help us live our yoga off the mat in addition to the physical practice of the postures on the mat. The Yama, Aparigraha, teaches us the art of non possessiveness and in a deeper sense of letting go. We must let go of what no longer serves our highest purpose in order to make room for growth to propel us toward our greatest destiny.
Read MoreTOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 7
We have all worn masks of one form or another for a multitude of reasons. These aren’t Halloween masks that I’m talking about. These are the figurative masks, or let’s say roles that we play in our lives. This is totally common, however, there are also masks that we wear to hide our true selves and this can become a problem. Growing up we are told who we are supposed to be in order to be accepted by our parents, our teachers, our peers and our culture as a whole.
Read MoreTOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 6
There is no greater feeling than that of complete acceptance. Whether it is acceptance in the workplace or in a relationship, it feels wonderful and loving to be fully accepted flaws and all. To practice awareness first, and then acceptance free from judgement is incredibly liberating. It sets us free from the stress and confines of living in a box and allows us unlimited possibilities for growth.
Read MoreTOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 5
Forgiveness is the gift that we give to ourselves. I know this may sound crazy if you are deeply suffering at this moment. I’ve had many, many times in my life where I have felt wronged, betrayed or deeply hurt by other people. Sometimes I was so angry that forgiveness did indeed seem impossible. In the middle of the storm it was hard to see beyond the fog of pain and the subsequent anger. Fortunately I have come to understand through the practice of forgiveness just how powerful this act of letting go can be.
Read MoreTOP 1O TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 4
Mindfulness is such a popular buzzword right now. A similar word that I prefer to use is awareness because it not only embraces our thoughts, it also connects us to our emotions, our bodies and to how we perceive the world around us without imposing judgements upon them. Awareness is about being present in this moment right now.
Read MoreTOP 10 TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 3
We all have a superpower that is highly transformative. It’s is called our INTUITION. There are numerous interpretations of what it is and how it works. One thing that is certain is that intuition is real, but what is it and why is it important to our lives?
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Total Soulful Journey is a inspiring blog about living your best life through awareness, acceptance and forgiveness with the goal of elevating our minds, our bodies and our spirits to their fullest potential. This blog will help people find their purpose in life and fulfill the calling of their souls through mindfulness. We'll explore the many aspects of love, health, fitness, yoga, nutrition, cooking, careers, entrepreneurship, travel, and manifesting abundance. Awaken with us on a Total Soulful Journey to becoming the best version of you!
Total Soulful Journey is an inspiring blog about living your best life by Paul Garrett. Paul is a writer, an award winning filmmaker, an internationally published photographer and an entrepreneur who lives and thrives in the Pacific Northwest.
