A SPA TO RENEW YOUR SOUL

One of the lessons I had to learn in this lifetime was self-love.  I lacked it!  And what a journey it has been to learn it!  Part of self-love is giving time to yourself and to do things you love.  To nurture yourself.  To give yourself down time.  To put yourself first.  To understand that you are worthy of good things.  I have discovered something that screams self-love and that is Korean Bath Houses.  Well let me tell you, I am so utterly grateful for them.  I now understand why bath houses are so popular in some cultures.  Because they truly renew mind, body and spirit.  They teach you how to relax.  That is something that our culture doesn’t do very well if you ask me. 

I recently attended a new one that I was so impressed with that I had to blog about it.  It’s Island Spa and Sauna in Edison, NJ.  I was there with my friend for 9 hours in one day!  You are probably wondering how one person can be there for so long.  There is so much to explore!  Here’s why.  It’s a beautiful 30,000 square foot spa that has 5 coed dry saunas that look like beautiful igloos made with earthly materials (crystal, charcoal, salt, forest, clay), steam rooms, 4 soaking tubs, an ice room, a sleeping/meditation room, free yoga on Sundays, lounge area with free wifi, social pods, a juice bar, and a café that was absolutely delicious.  I had the vegetable ramen soup and vegetable fried dumplings and all of it was delicious.  I had a green juice in the morning and then a green smoothie later in the day…delicious of course.  The bath houses are separated by gender.  You are given a uniform to wear in the common areas.  You are naked in the bath tub areas.  I was not used being naked in front of so many other women since I never grew up with the bathhouse concept.  So I was a little hesitant at first, but now I realize that it’s not a big deal.  It’s actually quite freeing.  It teaches you that there is no shame in our bodies and that they deserve respect and honor.  So for me it’s not even a thought now.   

Ok now it’s time to talk about my service that I had done.  I did a body scrub; the signature body glow to be exact.  But they are not like any body scrub.  Body scrubs are very common in Korean bathhouses using a mitt with milk and water to moisturize the skin while promoting circulation.  I literally felt like I as shedding the old Johanna.  Which feels incredible on a spiritual and physical level.  You are scrubbed like never before.  They don’t miss one inch of you.  They also gave me a facial, washed my hair and then an aromatherapy massage.  It was incredible.  When I got off the table even my posture was better!

What else should you know?  I brought a book to read and a journal for my downtime.  I also took time to meditate while having a pomegranate hydrating sheet mask on.  There are tons of loungers, couches and little quiet areas.  My friend even took a nap in the sleeping room!  The daily admission is reasonable for all that you have access to.  For me it is a spiritual experience.  I come out feeling like a new being on all levels.  It’s truly a stress free haven for the mind, body and soul.  See you there!

My Morning Practice

One of the things I give to myself is my morning practice.  It’s something that I wish I started earlier in life.  Because it puts me in such a good place and my day then just flows.  So what is a morning practice?  It’s an intentional spiritual way to start your day so that you feel more focused, peaceful and purposeful.  Now before I get into it, I want to say that a morning practice is a very personal thing and one that should resonate with only you and there are no rules.  But here’s what I do:

1. While still in bed I say thank you.  Gratitude for another day on this earth.

2. Then I get up and go into my forest room and ring a beautiful chime.  I call this room the forest room because it is an entire wall photograph of a magical forest (got it on amazon for $99!).  And it really does feel magical. So why do I ring a chime? Bells have been long used for space clearing for they produce a pure cleansing sound that can clear low vibrational energy or some may say negative energy.  There is now science behind this.  A beautiful way to clear your space of energy is by using sound. Chimes, gongs, bells, and singing bowls are some of the tools that may be used to create a resonant, powerful tone that helps to push the energy out and open your space.  Using the beautiful resonating note of a chime is like pushing the energy out with a powerful sound wave.  It is not aggressive, but there is a definite push when a chime is struck– the energy gets shaken up. While it can be a more playful way to cleanse your space, the gorgeous resonance of these instruments is incredibly calming and helps to ground a restless mind in the present moment.  My favorite is Treeworks Chimes from Amazon for $12!  It has a beautiful sound.  And it is actually one of my favorite gifts to give to people; especially to teachers.

3. Light a candle while setting an intention 

4. Burn either sage or Palo Santo depending on my mood while saying a cleansing prayer

5. Then I meditate in either my daughter’s super comfy teepee tent or on my Asian moon gazing chair.  I love using Insight Timer for the timer option in this app.  It uses bells to start and finish a meditation.  I love that!  For more tips on meditation read my article on meditation. 

6. Read or listen to a message. I believe we get messages all the time from the universe/higher self to help guide us in the right direction.  So I randomly select a message/affirmation/story from a book or deck of cards.  Some of my favorites include Messages for the Soul by Tanaaz Chubb, The Little Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo or Well-Being Cards by Esther and Jerry Hicks…just to name a few. I even get Notes from the Universe by Mike Dooley on an app on my iPhone.  And did you know you can ask Alexa for an affirmation everyday? My daughter loves doing that.

7. And then while I shower I usually listen to a positive inspiring speaker.  Louis Hay has a great morning meditation.  Or sometimes I listen to Esther Hicks, Gala Darling or Power Thoughts Meditation Club (Their I Am affirmations rock!) among many others. 

8. Then with delicious coffee in my near future, I hug and kiss my beautiful daughter, hug and kiss my handsome dog and start my beautiful wonderful day!

Now does this happen every single day?  For the most part yes, but sometimes if it doesn’t I will do parts of it.  As a single mom, one thing that helps me stay on track with this is to just get up earlier than my daughter.  I will say that for me I just crave it so it’s hard to not do it.  But with anything in life if your plans don’t go the way you want them the best thing to do it is just go with the flow.  As Abraham Hicks says just swim downstream and don’t beat yourself up about it.  But you may start to find that it becomes as natural as brushing your teeth every day. 

Intuition

I want to talk about intuition because it’s such an important gift in one’s life.  Steve Jobs called it, “more powerful than intellect.”  I 100% agree with him!  We all have it, but some of us have forgotten how to use it.  I was that person.  I am going to share with you how I got reacquainted with it.  We all have an internal guidance system.  It’s like our very own GPS.  Some people call it your gut.  I call it my inner being.  This inner being is always communicating with us through our inner voice…our intuition.  The great thing about that is our inner being has a broader perspective than us.  They know things seen and unseen.  So what may not make sense to us in this physical plane at this moment in time will make sense in the broader scheme of things.  It knows what’s best for us.  It has our best interest at heart.  So it will try and guide us gently all the time to something better or something more satisfying.  So how did I lose my relationship with my intuition?  By quieting it down at a very early age.  By ignoring it.  By dismissing it.  By doubting myself.  By trying to talk myself out of things.  By letting outside noise in.  I let this happen for many many years.  I basically felt like I lost it and trusted others to make decisions for me.  I truly was not confident in any of my own decisions.  Even the simplest decision was hard for me.  I call this split energy.  It’s when you are basically cutting off a part of yourself; which in essence I was.  Well I knew I had to get my power back and that’s when I realized I needed to start listening to my intuition again.  But the great news is that it’s never really gone.  It’s always there.    A trusted spiritual advisor gave me some advice on how to get back on track.  She said listen to any little hunch and honor it.  For example if you are driving and you get the hunch to turn left…turn left.  If you are thinking of a friend and feel the urge to call them…call them.  Or if I was running downstairs and got the idea that I forgot an item upstairs…turn around and get it.  Any little idea or hunch just follow through.  So needless to say I started doing this.  Every little hunch, idea or inspiration was honored.  I started really paying attention and listening.  Well guess what happens when you start doing this.  Your intuition gets stronger and stronger.  I was amazed. It kind of reminds me of meditation.  The more I did it the better I got at it.  It’s just like anything in life…the more you practice the better you get.  I also noticed the more I got quiet the more I could hear my intuition.  The noise gets in the way.  So I encourage all of you to nurture this gift so you can thrive in this life.     

I Am Affirmation Videos

I personally use these videos and love them.  I highly recommend Power Thoughts Meditation Club who creates them.  Check out their YouTube Chanel.  They have tons of powerful amazing stuff.  I must admit Kenneth is my favorite guide!!!

Mindvalley Masterclass: Embrace Your Energy Body with Jeffrey Allen

I really enjoyed this class.  I'm a big believer in energy.  Jeffrey taught me some interesting things that I will certainly try now.  Click below and it will take you directly to the video.  

Free 2018 Hay House Heal Summit

Mark your calendars for the upcoming Hay House Heal Summit! July 25-31, 2018

Learn how to permanently transform your health in 7 days with some of the world’s top experts.  This value-packed 7-day online video Summit is your map to complete healing. Starting July 25 - you will have FREE access to 3-4 video lessons that will expire each day at 11:59 PM ET.

I just took this free online lecture with Louise Hay & Cheryl Richardson called Creating an Exceptional Life.  I really liked it and it make me laugh a lot.  

Louise Hay one of the founders of the self-empowerment movement and Cheryl Richardson, a master teacher in her own right team up for this exciting lecture. In these lessons they discuss the power of self-love and the techniques Louise has been teaching for decades. You’ll learn how affirmations and mirror work can help you change your mind so you can change your life.

Oprah & Deepak Free 21 Day Meditation Experience Starts 7.23.18

Live the life you've always wanted!

Are you ready to create the life you've always dreamed of? All you can imagine or desire is available to you, right here and now. Join Oprah and Deepak on a transformative meditation journey, as they reveal the secrets to attracting all the love, success, and happiness you desire. Tap into your true ability to co-create with the universe, let go of constricting beliefs to embrace all possibilities for success, and harness your power to manifest your best and most meaningful life.

Energy of Attraction is one of our most popular 21-Day Meditation Experiences. Join them for free starting July 23!

The Kindness Diaries On Netflix

This is my newest and latest favorite show!  Watch this one man's journey around the world relying solely on the kindness of strangers for food and shelter.  Then he grants wishes to unsuspecting good Samaritans along the way.  You will love it.  Kindness is still alive and strong in our world!

Watch unsuspecting good samaritans across the globe receive life-changing gifts from a stranger. The Kindness Diaries now streaming on Netflix: netflix.com/title/80156137 Watch my travels around the world on my yellow motorbike, Kindness One, relying only on people's kindness at each stage of my travel.

Japan Is Like No Other

Take Action to Protect Asylum Seekers

The U.S. asylum system is under attack. The Administration is introducing new policies that do not meet the requirements for protecting asylum seekers that are long established under international and U.S. law. We must let our elected officials know that the United States cannot roll back protections for asylum seekers.

Write to your representatives in Congress and tell them to protect the U.S asylum system.  Click on the link below and it will take you directly to an e-letter.  It will just take seconds to voice your opinion.  My family immigrated from Chile.  I can't even imagine being separated from my family.  

JOIN ME IN PHILLY TO SEE MIKE DOOLEY!

Join Ireland’s renowned international bestselling author of Angels in my Hair and peace ambassador, Lorna Byrne, and New York Times bestselling author, Mike Dooley, for a day filled with insights on how to live better with faith and understanding, using your own spiritual powers and the abundant guidance from the angels who surround you with unconditional love and support.

I want to share a great story with you about generosity, manifestation and allowing.  One of my favorite sayings is “where there is a will there is a way”.  I believe that with every cell of my being.  Well I was recently rewarded for this belief. 

I love fashion and appreciate the beauty that is created by it.  One of my favorite quotes is by RuPaul, “You’re born naked, and the rest is drag!  Everybody is in drag.  Whether you’re a man or a woman.  It just depends on how extreme you wanna go.”  I couldn’t agree more.  I have fun with clothes and have fun expressing my emotions and my stories through fashion.  One of the biggest compliments I have gotten is from my friend Rose who appreciates my style.  She told me that I am a multiple personality dresser!  She is 100% right.  I love to change my look all the time.  I change my hair and style on a dime.  Where do I get my inspiration?  I get it everywhere.  One of the places I get inspiration is through magazines.   I love looking through magazines.  It’s relaxing and inspiring to me.  In one of the winter editions of Elle magazine I spotted these amazing H&M Studio Collection sandals.  I loved them so much that I put them on my vision board.  I was going to get these sandals!  I am going to my sister’s wedding in Mexico this summer.  I was asked to officiate this special wedding.  I envisioned myself wearing these sandals that special day.  Their release date was not until spring, so I periodically checked the website, but to my dismay, I missed my window of opportunity and they were all SOLD OUT!!!  

I was crestfallen. But not surprised that they were sold out since they were pretty fabulous.   I didn’t give up.  I was going to call a bunch of stores in my area and drive one hour away if need be.  But then I found out you can’t call the stores individually.  You have to call a main customer service line and they will do it for you.  I was fortunate to have a very kind customer service representative call 6 stores for me before I felt like I tortured her enough.  I figured I would try to find something similar. I always say that life happens for you not against you.  So if these shoes were not meant to be then something was out there that was even better.  So I searched tirelessly, but could find nothing as special and unique as the H&M shoes.

I almost gave up, but then a trusted friend of mine gave me the idea of writing the CEO of the company.  I thought why not!  So I mailed a note and decided to accept any outcome knowing I had given it my best effort!  Much to my delight I was contacted by an H&M angel.  They told me they got my letter and would see what they could do, but no promises.  The tag line in this angel’s email was “We love people, we love fashion, we love to help”.  Doesn’t get much better than that!

 I am learning that this universe is quite abundant and you just have to be open to receiving and that even includes help.  I was happy to “receive” the assistance.  But it gets even better.  In the meantime I did some visualization exercises.  I believe that if you can visualize something it can happen.  I pictured myself getting an email with good news and just smiling ear to ear.  I pictured myself opening the mail package with just sheer delight.  I pictured myself wearing the shoes in the wedding and just being happy and feeling great.  Well one morning after I meditated I got the inspiration to check my emails.  And there it was…an email from my H&M angel letting me know they found the shoes!!  And not only that, they were sending them to me to thank me for the positive work that I do after checking my website.  I am not going to lie, but I cried at that very moment (yes, I’m a crier).  I was so touched and grateful for the experience and the gift.  It’s also validation for what you put out into the world does indeed come back.  When you help others and are generous with others then others will help you and be generous with you.  It’s just how it works.  This experience was a great reminder that we can dream and manifest anything we want in life…and do it all while wearing a great pair of shoes!  Thank you H&M for the beauty that you bring into our world and into my life.  I am indeed very grateful!

Speaking of Shoes!  If you want to help a great cause, start a used shoe recycling program.

It’s simple…here it is in a nutshell:

1.       Collect used shoes from your employees, students, staff, faculty & parents.

2.       Shoes are distributed to women shelters, veteran homes, rehab clinics and communities & villages throughout the world to those in need.

3.       For each shoe recycling collection box that is filled, Stand Up to Cancer receives a donation.

They provide you with promotional flyers and shoe recycling collection boxes. All you need to do is to promote your schools or business’s involvement with the shoe collection drive.  They’ll deliver the empty collection boxes and pick them up from you when they are full.  There is NO COST to your school or business at all.  And they will work with anyone in the United States. 

For information and to begin your participation please contact: Brad Glazier (302) 547-1281 or email to Brad@GlazierPhoto.com

Parenting Wisdom by Dr. Shefali

Dr. Shefali has sparked a parenting revolution. Learn from the woman challenging everything we know about parenting in this transformational episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. PULLED QUOTES "The beauty of life is that there is no line in stone, most of it is in sand."

Remembering Our True Nature

In the Babemba tribe of South Africa, when a person acts irresponsibly, he is placed in the center of the village alone. All work ceases, and every man, woman and child in the village gathers in a large circle around the accused individual. Then each person in the tribe speaks to the individual, one at a time, each recalling the good things the person in the center of the circle has done in his lifetime. Every event, every experience that can be recalled with any detail and accuracy, is told. All his positive attributes, good deeds, strengths, and kindnesses are recounted carefully and at length.  Nothing is exaggerated or fabricated.  No criticism is allowed.  This tribal ceremony often lasts for several days. At the end, the tribal circle is broken with a joyous celebration, and the person is symbolically and literally welcomed back into the tribe.

I believe that our true nature is one of goodness and love.  Life and culture can deprogram that over time and reprogram it with things like insecurities, fear and anger.  When we do things that hurt other people it’s usually because we ourselves are hurting.  Hurt people hurt.  I believe that love heals all.  This forgiveness ritual strengthens the love and self-esteem of the accused.  These ceremonies are very successful and in fact are rare to be had according to the tribe.  We just need to remember who we really are.  And sometimes we just need help remembering.  It’s that simple.  This is especially critical to do with children.  I do this with my daughter.  It really does change the energy around conflict and something inside her.  So remember next time someone is acting out or unkindly try and help them remember.  See what happens. 

The free 4-part “Overcoming Chaos” online video workshop with Deepak is kicking off at 7 AM PT!

If you haven’t registered… now is the time!  I'm registered!!

The first session is all about resolving conflicting from within.

Here’s just a few of the things Deepak’s getting ready to show you tomorrow:

• Why internal conflict arises
• Crucial questions to ask yourself when confronted with conflict
• 7 key steps to resolve conflict with others
• Why meditation significantly reduces the negative effects of conflict 

You’ll also receive a very special guided meditation and workbook to help you work through the internal struggles that you’re currently facing.

But you’ll have to be quick, as it all starts TOMORROW! Click below to learn more.

Dr. Joe Dispenza on How Meditation Changes Your Brain

Dr Joe Dispenza talks about his meditation workshops and how meditation can change the brain, behaviours and personality. Dr Joe Dispenza online course 'Making Your Mind Matter' please visit: http://reprogrammingmind.com/dr-joe-dispenza-course/ For more books and Meditations by Dr Joe Dispenza, please visit: https://reprogrammingmind.com/Dr-Joe-Dispenza-home

I have signed up to receive daily quotes from Abraham-Hicks Publications.  I love getting them because they really widen my level of awareness.  I want to share one that I recently got that took my awareness and healing to the next level.  It said:

When you start to feel a negative emotion, stop and say: Something is important here; otherwise, I would not be feeling this negative emotion.  What is it that I want?

And then turn your attention to what you really do want in that moment.  You then shift to knowing and attracting what it is that you do desire.  Remember…where focus goes energy flows.  This starts to help focus and create the reality that you want instead.  What I also like about this is that when you do this you are also honoring that negative emotion.  You’re in essence saying “yes you are important; you are trying to tell me something…thank you!”  So I tried all this when something was bothering me.  I started to feel better almost instantly.  It was pretty amazing.  It really does help me sort things out too.  It puts things into perspective.  Because when we are faced with things we don’t want we can then know what it is we do want.  Contrast has that amazing ability to show us that.  Then you can really start to focus on what you really want and make that your new reality!

Chores! We all have them!

Here is something I am using with my daughter to teach her about chores.  They are great!  I use them on a chalkboard with two columns.  One column says "to do" and the other one says "done".  I pick the ones that she needs to take care of on the "to do" side and when she gets them done she moves them to the "done" side.  It's important that everyone contributes to a household....everyone!  We are teaching kids life skills and lessons that will serve them the rest of their lives.  

Set of 10 Chore Magnets for Kids - Fun Responsibility Magnets with Pictures To Use With Multiple Children by Kitchen Labs

Kitchen Labs

NO ONE CARES! AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!

“I am not what I think I am, and I am not what you think I am. I am what I think you think I am.” ― Charles Horton Cooley

I love that Charles Horton Cooley quote.  He was an American sociologist from the 1800s.  It’s a great observation of how most of us see ourselves.  It’s something that so many us get trapped in and it’s a prison that can be hard to break out.  But you can!  I want to share a great video about this. 

We spend a little too much time worrying about how we must appear in the minds of others. However, the poignant, useful truth is that almost everyone doesn't care at all about who we are, what we're doing and how we've messed up.