Embracing New Perspectives: Einstein’s Wisdom on Problem-Solving and How it Applies to Coaching.

Albert Einstein once famously said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them”. This profound insight highlights the necessity of shifting your beliefs and paradigms to effectively address the challenges you face. Let’s explore how this concept applies to various aspects of life, including the power of coaching.

Shifting Beliefs and Paradigms

A paradigm shift involves a fundamental change in your underlying assumptions and beliefs. Thomas Kuhn, a philosopher of science, introduced this concept to explain how scientific revolutions occur. When existing frameworks fail to address new problems, a shift in perspective is required. This shift allows you to see the world differently and opens up new possibilities for solutions.

In everyday life, shifting paradigms can mean rethinking your approach to personal and professional challenges. For instance, addressing climate change requires moving beyond traditional energy sources to embrace renewable energy and sustainable practices. Similarly, personal growth often necessitates breaking free from old habits and adopting new ways of thinking.

Connecting to the Power of Coaching

Coaching is a powerful tool that facilitates paradigm shifts by helping you see your situations from new perspectives. A coach provides guidance and support, encouraging you to challenge your existing beliefs and explore alternative approaches. This process can lead to significant personal and professional growth.

Coaching is about unlocking the information you already have within yourself. It involves asking insightful questions and actively listening to your responses. This approach helps you gain clarity and uncover solutions that you might not have realized on your own.

For example, a coach might help you if you’re struggling with career advancement to identify limiting beliefs and develop new strategies for success. By fostering a mindset of continuous improvement and adaptability, coaching empowers you to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.

Coaching also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and reflection. Through regular sessions, you gain insights into your behaviors and thought patterns, enabling you to make more informed decisions. This heightened awareness can lead to transformative changes, aligning your actions with your values and aspirations.

Conclusion

Einstein’s wisdom reminds us that solving problems often requires a change in perspective. Whether in science, personal growth, or professional development, embracing new paradigms can lead to innovative solutions. The power of coaching lies in its ability to facilitate these shifts, helping you unlock your potential and navigate the complexities of life more effectively.

By continually challenging your assumptions and being open to new ideas, you can create a better future and achieve your fullest potential.

Sources: “Albert Einstein: 'We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking …,” The Socratic Method. : “Thomas Kuhn: Paradigm Shift,” Simply Psychology.

The Power of Intention

In our fast-paced world, distractions are abundant, and clarity can be often elusive, and intention can stand as a beacon, guiding us towards our true goals and aspirations. Intention, at its core, is not merely about setting goals or making plans; it’s about the energy and purpose behind those goals, it is about deliberation. It’s about aligning our thoughts, emotions, and actions to moving towards an objective or goal. But what is the root of this powerful concept, and how can understanding intention help us live more effectively and in alignment with ourselves?

The Root of Intention

The word “intention” is derived from the Latin word intentio, which means “stretching out” or “aiming at.” This etymology reveals much about the nature of intention. It is not a passive feat; it is active and directed, it requires your attention. To have an intention is to stretch your mind, heart, and spirit towards a specific aim or purpose. It’s a deliberate act of focusing your inner resources on something you find meaningful.

 
This ancient understanding of intention is echoed in various spiritual and philosophical traditions. In Sanskrit, the word sankalpa carries a similar meaning—an intention or vow that sets the stage for focused, purposeful action. In many ways, intention is the seed of all deliberate action, the starting point from which thing unfolds.

Intention as the Driver of Deliberate Action

While goals can often feel abstract or distant, intentions are about the present moment. They anchor us in the now, urging us to take deliberate, mindful actions that align with our desired outcomes. When we set an intention, we are essentially declaring to ourselves and the universe, “This is where I am going.” But more importantly, we are also saying, “This is how I will move towards it.”

This concept is beautifully encapsulated in the teachings of ancient wisdom. The Bhagavad Gita, for example, speaks to the importance of aligning one’s actions with a higher purpose or Dharma. Krishna advises Arjuna to act without attachment to the fruits of his actions but to remain steadfast in his intention. This highlights the importance of being deliberate and focused in our actions, trusting that if our intentions are pure and aligned, the results will naturally follow.

Similarly, in Stoic philosophy, intention is seen as a critical aspect of living a virtuous life. The Stoics believed that our happiness and fulfillment come not from external achievements, but from living in accordance with our values and intentions. They emphasized the need for deliberate action, rooted in wisdom and self-awareness, as the path to true contentment.

Intention as a Tool for Living More Effectively

Living with intention is a powerful tool for those who seek to live more effectively and in alignment with themselves. When we approach life with clear intentions, our actions become more purposeful, and we are less likely to be swayed by external circumstances or distractions, simply because we are deliberate about where we focus our energy . This doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges or setbacks, but it does mean that we have an internal compass and guidance—a clear sense of direction that helps us navigate through life.

For example, someone who sets the intention to live a life of kindness will naturally align their actions with that value. They will find opportunities to be kind in their daily interactions, and over time, this intention will shape their character and subsequently the way they are perceived by others. This is the power of intention: it not only moves us towards our goals, but it has the power to also shape who we become in the process.

Moreover, intention helps us to live more authentically. When our actions are aligned with our true intentions, we are more likely to experience a sense of fulfillment and inner peace. We are no longer acting out of habit, obligation, or fear, but from a place of deep alignment with our true Selves.

The Power of Intent in Alignment

Intention is the bridge between thought and action. It takes the abstract—our dreams, desires, and aspirations—and turn them into something tangible. By setting clear intentions, we align our actions with our inner values, creating a harmonious flow that guides us towards our goals.

The power of intention is not just in the act of setting it, but in the commitment to follow through with deliberate action. Ancient wisdom teaches us that intention is not a passive wish; it is an active force that requires our full participation. Whether through prayer, meditation, or focused thought, the process of setting an intention is a sacred act that connects us to a deeper purpose.

In this way, intention becomes more than just a tool for achieving goals—it becomes a way of living. It encourages us to be mindful, to act with purpose, and to stay true to ourselves. When we live with intention, we are not just moving through life; we are actively creating it, shaping our experiences, and aligning with the highest expression of who we are.

Intentional Living

The power of intention lies in its ability to move us forward with clarity, purpose, and deliberate action. By understanding the root of the word and its ancient significance, we can appreciate that intention is not just a modern self-help concept, but a timeless principle that has guided human action and spiritual growth for millennia.

Living with intention allows us to align our actions with our true selves, creating a life that is not only effective but also deeply fulfilling. It is a practice that calls for mindfulness, discipline, and a deep commitment to our own growth. As we embrace the power of intention, we step into our role as conscious creators of our reality, empowered to live a life of purpose and meaning.

Embracing an Abundance Mindset: A Journey to Personal and Collective Elevation

What was the first though you had this morning? Was one tuned into the frequency of abundance or lack?

In a world that often emphasizes scarcity, competition, and lack, the concept of abundance can seem like a radical, almost mystical idea. However, the truth is that abundance is not only a possibility but a divine right, a fundamental principle rooted in ancient wisdom and universal laws. The ancient mystery schools and spiritual traditions across the globe have long taught that abundance is the natural state of the universe, and by embracing this mindset, we can transform not only our lives but also the world around us.

Abundance as a Divine Right

The teachings of ancient mystery schools—esoteric institutions that preserved and transmitted spiritual knowledge—often revolved around the idea of divine abundance. These schools, from the Egyptian temples of Thoth to the Greek Eleusinian Mysteries, held the belief that humans are inherently connected to the infinite source of all that is. This source, often referred to as the divine or universal intelligence, ensures that abundance is not a privilege of the few, but a birthright accessible to all who align themselves with this truth.

Ancient texts, from the Vedic scriptures of India to the Hermetic writings of Egypt, echo this sentiment. The Upanishads, for instance, describe the universe as an infinite ocean of possibilities, where abundance flows freely to those who recognize their oneness with the divine. The Hermetic principle of correspondence, “As above, so below; as within, so without,” further reinforces the idea that the abundance we see in the cosmos is reflected in our own potential for prosperity and fulfillment.

Abundance is a Mindset

The idea that abundance is a mindset is not just a new-age platitude; it is a powerful truth. Our thoughts shape our reality, and when we believe in the scarcity of resources, we create limitations in our lives. Conversely, when we adopt an abundance mindset, we open ourselves to the infinite possibilities that life has to offer. This mindset shift can be learned, cultivated, and integrated into our daily lives.

Abundance is not merely about wealth or material possessions. It encompasses all areas of life, including love, joy, creativity, and opportunities. When we truly understand that the universe operates on principles of limitless expansion and growth, we realize that there is more than enough for everyone. This realization is not only liberating but also transformative, enabling us to move from a place of fear and competition to one of trust and cooperation.

Elevating the Collective Mind and Earth Energy

An abundant mindset does more than elevate individual lives—it has the power to uplift the collective consciousness and even the energy of the Earth itself. This concept is illustrated by the “100th Monkey Effect,” a phenomenon observed in primate behavior. When a certain number of monkeys in a population learned a new behavior, this knowledge spontaneously spread to others, even across different islands. This suggests that once a critical mass of individuals adopts a new belief or behavior, it can quickly spread throughout the collective consciousness.

When more people embrace an abundance mindset, the collective energy shifts from scarcity to prosperity, from fear to love. This shift has the potential to heal societal divisions, reduce conflicts over resources, and foster a more harmonious and sustainable world. As we align ourselves with the universal principles of abundance, we not only enhance our own lives but also contribute to the greater good, helping to raise the vibrational frequency of the planet.

The Infinite Universe and Divine Intelligence

At the core of the abundance mindset is the belief in an infinite universe governed by a divine intelligence. This intelligence, often referred to as the Source, God, or the Universal Mind, orchestrates the cosmos with precision and purpose. It is the same intelligence that causes the planets to revolve around the sun, the flowers to bloom, and the cells in our bodies to function in perfect harmony.

When we acknowledge this divine intelligence and its role in the universe, we begin to trust in the abundance of life. We understand that the same force that sustains the galaxies is also guiding our personal journey. This trust allows us to let go of fear, embrace possibilities, and pursue our dreams with confidence, knowing that we are supported by the infinite resources of the universe.

Ancient Wisdom and Universal Laws

The abundance mindset is deeply rooted in the universal laws that govern all existence. These laws, which have been taught by spiritual masters and sages throughout history, include the Law of Attraction, the Law of Vibration, and the Law of Reciprocity, among others. These laws remind us that our thoughts, feelings, and actions are powerful forces that shape our reality.

For instance, the Law of Attraction teaches that like attracts like; when we focus on abundance, we attract more of it into our lives. The Law of Vibration emphasizes that everything in the universe is energy, and by raising our own vibrational frequency through positive thoughts and emotions, we align ourselves with the higher frequencies of abundance. The Law of Reciprocity, also known as the Law of Giving and Receiving, highlights the importance of generosity and flow—when we give freely, we open ourselves to receiving in equal measure.

The Win-Win of Abundance

Embracing an abundance mindset creates a win-win situation for everyone. When we believe in the infinite resources of the universe, we are more likely to collaborate, share, and uplift others. This shift in perspective leads to a more prosperous and peaceful external world, where success is not a zero-sum game but a collective achievement.

Moreover, by aligning ourselves with the principles of abundance, we become conduits for the divine intelligence to manifest its blessings in the world. We inspire others to do the same, creating a ripple effect that can lead to widespread transformation and healing.

A Call to Embrace Abundance

The journey to an abundance mindset is not just a personal quest; it is a collective calling. By embracing the truth that abundance is our divine right and aligning ourselves with the universal laws that govern it, we can transform our lives and contribute to the elevation of humanity and the Earth itself. The teachings of ancient wisdom remind us that abundance is not just about having more, but about realizing our true nature as creators in an infinite, loving universe.

As we cultivate this mindset, we step into our power, becoming active participants in the unfolding of a more abundant, harmonious, and joyful world. Let us embrace this divine truth and allow the energy of abundance to flow through us, knowing that in doing so, we are not only enriching our own lives but also contributing to the greater good of all.

The Power of Finding Your Purpose

Unlocking Your True Potential: The Power of Finding Your Purpose and Living in Alignment

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, feeling drained and unfulfilled. However, there is a secret to living a vibrant and joyful life. The secret lies in something deeper than just checking off to-do lists or commuting to and from work. It’s about finding your purpose, following your bliss, and living in alignment with your true self. This inner alignment doesn’t just make you feel good—it has palpable benefits, including increased energy, productivity, higher income, and ultimately, a life filled with fulfillment and joy.

Why Find Your Purpose: The Foundation of a Fulfilling Life

Finding your purpose is the cornerstone of a life well-lived. Your purpose is the guiding star that directs your actions, decisions, and energy. When you have clarity about what you’re here to do, every day becomes an opportunity to work toward something meaningful. This sense of direction not only motivates you but also ignites a deep passion that fuels your actions.

Your purpose isn’t necessarily tied to a specific job or role—it’s the underlying reason that drives you. Whether it’s helping others, creating art, solving problems, or building connections, understanding your purpose allows you to align your daily actions with your core values and passions.

Follow Your Bliss Not a Cliche: The Pathway to a Higher Vibration

The concept of “following your bliss,” popularized by mythologist Joseph Campbell, is about pursuing the activities, ideas, and passions that make you feel most alive. When you follow your bliss, you are in tune with your highest self, operating in a state of flow where time seems to disappear, and your actions feel effortless.

Following your bliss raises your vibration—the energy you emit based on your emotions and thoughts. A higher vibration attracts positivity, opportunities, and like-minded individuals into your life. This doesn’t mean every day will be perfect, but when you prioritize what brings you joy and satisfaction, you create a life that resonates with your true essence.

Living in a Higher Vibration: The Key to Alignment with Your True Self

Living in a higher vibration is about maintaining a positive, optimistic outlook, and engaging in practices that uplift your spirit. This could include meditation, gratitude practices, creative expression, or spending time in nature. When you live in a higher vibration, you are more aligned with your true self—the part of you that is connected to your deepest values and desires.

This alignment fosters a sense of peace and clarity, allowing you to make decisions that are in harmony with your true nature. It also empowers you to let go of limiting beliefs and negative patterns that hold you back. As you align with your true self, you naturally begin to attract experiences and opportunities that are in sync with your purpose and passions because you are tapping into your internal guidance, or intuition.

Tapping into the The Ripple Effect: More Energy, Productivity, and Joy

When you live in alignment with your purpose and higher self, something remarkable happens—you start to experience more energy. This isn’t just physical energy, but a holistic sense of vitality that permeates every aspect of your life. You wake up excited about the day ahead, feel motivated to tackle challenges, and approach your goals with renewed enthusiasm.

This increased energy translates into higher productivity. When you are passionate about what you do and feel connected to your purpose, work becomes a joy rather than a chore. You find yourself more focused, creative, and efficient, leading to better results and, ultimately, the opportunity to earn a higher income.

But the benefits don’t stop there. Living in alignment also brings a profound sense of fulfillment. You’re not just going through the motions; you’re living a life that is true to who you are. This fulfillment is the ultimate source of joy—a deep, abiding happiness that comes from knowing you are living authentically and making a meaningful impact. You’re living in alignment to self.

In Conclusion: Embrace Your Journey to Joy

The journey to a more joyful, productive, and fulfilling life begins with finding your purpose and following your bliss. As you align with your true self and maintain a higher vibration, you’ll notice a positive shift in your energy, productivity, and overall sense of well-being. Embrace this journey with an open heart, and watch as it transforms not only your life but also the lives of those around you. In the end, the greatest reward is the joy that comes from living a life of purpose, authenticity, and alignment.

COVID-19, a Learning Opportunity?

Learning to Fly, Cairo 2018.

It is reasonable to assume that, to one extent or another, we have all learned our fair share about COVID-19. What should we do or not do to avoid spreading the virus, and how should we adjust our lifestyles to cope with the different aspects of this crisis? If anything, more than ever before, people have learned to appreciate and value healthcare professionals worldwide—as they put their own lives and those of their families at risk—to compassionately care for the lives of others.

Regardless of how exactly we might have embarked on the COVID-19 journey, I imagine that by now, we all have found a rhythm and ways to cope; we might be carrying on with normal activities where possible, creating new ways to do the same old things, or even coming up with brand new things to do. Among my friends, I've prospect politicians emerge, philosophers and spiritual part-time sadhus, Netflix curators, aspirational healers, health tale-tellers, conspiracy seasonal activists, do-ers, and plenty of cleaning frenzy enthusiasts. Others chose to work on long-forgotten projects, build their businesses, or tap into unexpected creativity pools. Regardless, one thing is sure: we have embarked on this journey, and all chose to do something while it is ongoing, even if that something is "nothing-ness." (Side note: contrary to what anyone might suggest, doing nothing is a hard thing to learn, just being, is challenging and stillness can be a struggle at times, I am learning it the hard way,  but undertaking my "learning journey", patiently).

In keeping up with loved ones, colleagues, social media challenges, and the news, I've noticed a trend; many of us also took this "down-time" as an opportunity to learn formally or informally. There seem to be plenty of articles suggesting that COVID-19 spiked up creativity, higher education enrollment via MOOCs, companies supporting employee development programs via platforms such as Coursera, Edx, or LinkedIn Learning, and several free offers for well-being online classes.

To bring it back, this journey is a learning opportunity in every form and shape! Regardless of your learning focus, we are learning and, hopefully, using these learning insights to develop ourselves. Whether you are learning a new skill, taking the opportunity to practice a new instrument, learning a language, or just learning something completely random about yourself, I'd like to invite you to see COVID-19 as an opportunity to tap into that learning (whatever that learning might be for you).

On that note, with no bullet points or prescriptive text on how to do it better, I would like to invite you to consider the following questions:

1. What has COVID-19 taught you about yourself? 

2. What learnings will you be able to transfer into your "after"  COVID-19 life? 

Whatever that might be for you, and whether you feel it will help on your journey, the underpinning thing here is to reflect and connect any and, if possible, all learnings to its importance on self-development.

Link to articles:

• Taking a MOOC During COVID-19: What to Know

• Learning In The Time Of COVID-19

• Demand for USC's free mindfulness classes skyrockets during COVID-19 pandemic

• To Become Your Best Self, Study Your Successes

• Bored in Quarantine? Here's a New York Scene You Can Color

↓Leave your comments below - I'd love to hear from you. Let's explore COVID-19 personal learnings and insights together #covidlearnings #lifelonglearningmindset

In Trying Times - Lessons from A Pale Blue Dot.

NASA/JPL

Carl Sagan's speech "A Pale Blue Dot", has been and will forever be an important personal lesson and a humbling serum that helps me to cope in times of adversity. Particularly during trying times, it is a great reminder that our interconnectedness, and responsibility towards one another, and our Home, transcend any falsehood or deceptive idea ever harbored in our minds. In his speech, Carl puts it best:

"To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one another, and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we've ever known." 

I would like to invite you to read the full speech and to reflect on what lessons or reminders you can draw from it. Here are two links might interested you:

• "A Pale Blue Dot" - Carl Sagan (The Planetary Society)

• The Farthest (2017) - Documentary trailer 

All You Gotta Do is Say YES-es!

So, a few weeks ago, I planned a lovely weekend with some of my favorite girls. It involved meeting the family of one of my greatest friends over brunch, and it was, in fact, a remarkable day. During the event, I had the chance to meet new folks and, mostly, to revisit familiar faces and share in the company of people who have enriched my life journey since. One of those familiar faces was a Colombian girl, an acquittance, whom I knew no longer than a year, and yet, she had the best advice to give me that Sunday morning. We've talked about everything from education to nights out, from food to jewelry, to relationships ending and starting. Still, the thing that impressed upon me was what the introvert-looking, but extroverted Colombian said:

"Just say YES". You have to learn to say YES to everything when you are single."

I stopped a moment to reflect and replied, "I think I have been doing that"." I went home with her words on my mind. I went deep into reflection, and that didn't end that Sunday; in fact, it had only started. I really thought about the power of saying YES to EVERYTHING, or at least to most of it.

Weeks later, I realized that I was saying YES, YEAP, or YEAH to most things but lacked purpose behind it. I was simply replying, yes, and never thought about what it really meant. So I decided to be more strategic and observe every YES that came out of my mouth, really every single one! I then began saying YES and evaluating the consequences when I did it. The strategic part of it was simple; it was just about being conscious, I was saying yes and taking mental notes, and I observed what happened next. I'd say YES and monitor the results. I'd experiment and reflect upon it, and soon I'veI realized that was where all the magic happened. Indeed, I began noticing changes, I have enriched my life by 3 folds since I've begun noticing the results of my YESes. I have met new, fascinating people, I joined new networks, I did expontaneous things, and I had fun multiplied by 10 (that is to say, I had indescribable fun times!), I  welcomed professional and personal challenges I'dwhich otherwise have rejected out of fear, and probably missed out on learning opportunities.

(But) these are my experiences with saying YES. Saying yes can represent many things depending on personal lifestyle, choices, and current life stage. So, what if you were to be more conscious and observe what happens after each YES you let out? what happens when you notice the consequences? Does it significantly improve your life in any way? Or it doesn't change a thing? The answer is as personal as the experiment. I would like to acknowledge that saying yes can be rather . Ittricky might come with a certain degree of danger at times and be conflicting at others, but it can also turn out to be the best word that you will ever know.

Personallz, I suggest YES as an opportunity, an "Open, Sesame!" kind of word. It is worth pointing out that it is essential to be conscious and reflect when using yes because it will (most likely) taste differently when you do so.

Reflecting back, some "yeses" in my life meant shifting the course of my life entirely. Saying yes is the sole reason why I now live in Europe. When I met my now ex-boyfriend, we were in Miami, and we only knew each other for a few hours before he invited me for dinner (I know, a reckless kind of yes), but, had I said NO to dinner, I would have most likely stayed comfortably where I was. So saying yes meant living new, exciting things; for me, it meant moving to a brand new country and restarting from scratch.

This might or may not apply to your life right now, but the invitation here is to encourage you or anyone out there to consciously say yes once and notice what happens next. Perhaps by taking a more experimental view on your responses, you might be led to a YESself you'd never imagined, or you will be out of your comfort zone to experience things you've never considered possible.

Life might not change radically after all because NO is also the compromise to a balanced life, but saying more YESes at any given point in your life might be more enriching than often using NOs as protection shields. In addition, I'd say, use yes sparingly, abundantly, or in moderate quantities, but use it. Use it to challenge yourself because, as the sole captain of your "life" ship, you are responsible for deciding its course, yes or no?

Need inspiration? if you haven't yet, watch "YES MAN" featuring Jim Carey.

I would be eager to know that saying YES did as much good to you as it did to me and the Colombian girl I had had been so lucky to re-encounter that day.

A Full-Time Traveler Dream Job

So here is the thing: Some people are blessed enough to love their career choices, their jobs, and perhaps even their bosses, but some are more like me, in a professional limbo and always reminiscing about their favorite subjects in school or university or thoughts like "I should've just become a History major or a botanist (perhaps)," even if money doesn't orbit these professional choices. 

Anyhow, I fear that at some point down my "lifeline," I became just another sheep, following the crowd, conforming to the hype and the popular career choices, and ended up where I am: nowhere close to knowing what's next professionally and, to be fair, even personally. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to move around a bit and spend time in three different countries. For most of my life, I was in Brazil(my country of origin), then another considerable amount of time in the USA (my adopted country), and now, for the last 3.5 years, Switzerland ( oh well, not sure how to put this one). Anyhow, here I am, now searching for a job, feeling the need to create some sort of roots somewhere because time is constantly on the move. Regardless of what I may feel inside, time is NOT stopping for me or making me younger, and the more I talk to older friends, and even to my parents, I can't help but think about retirement plans, pension schemes, retirement destinations, and argh... you get the picture!

I am sure for most of us, if we could go back in time, we would tweak a thing or two. Maybe some of us are perfectly OK with how things turned out(especially those who have attained a higher "sense of SELF"), I'd say congratulations, but I know I definitely would. Even if my current self had to be altered somehow, I'd take my chances, but since we can't, let's drop this (though I secretly revisit this thought often and daydream thinking of movies like The Time Traveler's Wife).

The point is: If I could choose again, I'd be a professional traveler. I am sure some people will disagree, but to me, this would be a dream job. Imagine visiting exotic lands and tasting incredible (and sometimes not so incredible) food, meeting people, and experiencing new cultures that will somehow contribute to your life. Throw yourself into different experiences as often as possible in the name of work!

Unfortunately, it's not so simple, and I am sure as much as there are great things about it, there are equal downsides to be considered, such as maybe no fixed address, being always on the go, changing rooms, temperature, places, faces, airport-hopping, being distant from those you care about, so on and so forth.

Regardless, there are professional travelers who, to my standards, have found a way to live their dream (via the job). It is not unusual to find even companies sponsoring such opportunities! Below are some articles to give you an overview:

• Want to Become a Professional Traveler (post outdated)

• Australia through the eyes of a professional traveler

• Professional world traveler: 'It's the perfect job'

• 11 Secrets To Becoming A Professional Travel Blogger

These are only a few articles; I am sure there are plenty more to go. I guess the point of this post is to share what I think I would and should have and perhaps what I can still do. I'd love to be a professional traveler, but maybe that time has passed, and I have to focus on other dreams and opportunities. How about you? What is your "dream" job? Are you doing it or planning on doing it in the future?

I would love to hear your comment on this.

Free that Unicorn!

Free the unicorn

I am taking a leap of faith to suggest that in some form or shape, we all have, at some point (or even for most of our lives), felt overpowered by feelings such as, "I should start...", "I feel like creating something," "I was meant to do more" and many others. If NOT, then I guess that this has been a short post for you, but I'd say that for a good portion of us, this inner "creative" energy has been bottled up somewhere inside or keeps on bobbing up to the surface occasionally and will eminently be released. The contrary might be creative self-implosion and frustration, leading to adverse effects. 

When you do come to terms with this energy, and acknowledge it as "real", and that it can manifest itself in multiple forms, then you will have to overcome not only the fear of allowing yourself to release that energy but also take the risk; the risk to make a complete fool of yourself and to be exposed to this cruel* place we call the internet. Now, I'd like to ask, should one continue to fear ridicule and exposure in the name of letting the "gene" out of the bottle or in the name of self-expression?

Just a month ago, I had to say: "Yes, definitely". Followed by: "You stay as stealthy as possible in social media platforms, and you never, EVER, think of exposing your ideas in the www (wild, wild, web)." But hey, considering that a month ago feels like an eternity in my life, given all the different situations I went through in just 30 or so days (but that's another post), I'd say I couldn't care about my fear right now. So my today self is saying heck no! I refuse to go down the Creativity Implosion Lane and remain creatively constipated all my life. I am going to "use the force".

In short, I've decided to channel this creative energy and label it for good omen's sake: "inner unicorn." Why not? Since it's my born, darn creative energy, I can express it as I wish.  To be completely frank, I have had a thing for unicorns for some time now; perhaps I'm attracted to their elusive nature and mystical associations, or just because it has a horn. Nonetheless, thinking of it, I feel quite similarly about my creative energy; it feels pretty mystical and elusive inside, and unless you nurture it, it can never be this magical being I want to lead forth.

TODAY, I raise my (empty) cup of tea, to make a toast to my "unicorn". I have decided NOT to remain a prisoner of my rational self; I am letting it all out! 

I have no idea where this will go and if the unicorn will come to claim what is left of my "normality"(very little, I must confess), but in any case, this is the debut; we've made it my "inner" unicorn, we've made it!

Important fact: *Author has a flair for the dramatic

::::: If you chose to release your inner creative energy and, of course, decide to label it, I'd be interested to know what you will baptize it :::::

An inspiring TED Talk by Elizabeth Gilbert - Author of "Eat, Pray, Love":

Hello, World!

link: https://www.ted.com/talks/elizabeth_gilbert_your_elusive_creative_genius?subtitle=en&geo=fr