Hawaii Day 8

The time has come to sail away;
The sand, sun, and sea have been a gentle, loving, supportive reminder that balance is necessary for creativity; and my health.
I’ll be back in time, but for now, I’m going to savor the last four hours before I fly back to reality.

Hawaii Day 4

In the morning I add rum to my coffee and enjoy meditation by the beach,
In the afternoon I add rum to my iced tea and enjoy reading my the pool,
In the evening I add rum to my Lava Flow and enjoy gazing at the stars.

Hawaii Day 3

Just as the sun rises over the volcanic rock behind me,
My mind awakes and begins to stir;
Just as the ocean rolls in towards the sand,
My heart beats and I feel alive;
Just as the birds call to each other,
My soul sings out with gratitude.
In this moment, I am present and at peace.

Hawaii Day 2

Before the sun rises, I’m up and writing in my journal;
It’s hard not to be inspired in paradise.
Layered melodies from various birds call outside my window,
The perfect soundtrack to write.
Creativity flows as easy as multiple Piña Coladas––happily tipsy, I type.
The sun lifts over the horizon revealing a shimmering crystal blue sea.
Try to be upset in Hawaii––if you are, you’re doing life wrong.

Hawaii Day 1

I can smell the plumerias from LAX;

I'll be calm when we land, I just know it!

Breathe in the warm, soothing sea.

The aloha spirt welcomes me.

Six Word Essay on Why I Miss Hawaii

The calming water was so Zen!

Hawaiian Vacation Day 4

Life's a beach!

Hawaiian Vacation Day 2

Find time for balance on vacation!

RX: Vacation

Is it that obvious I NEED a vacation?
Apparently the answer is YES!
One of my closest friends reached out to me yesterday,
"Don't take this the wrong way, but I've known you long enough to tell you, I think you need to take a break."
She's right.
My journey feels more like a job than an adventure.  I've been pushing myself to continue to create and stay motivated, that I discounted the idea that my mind and body need to rest, too.
After all, what's the point in working so hard, if I'm not going to give myself some time to sit back and enjoy the results?
Following the cover shoot for my book this week (which is TOTALLY EXCITING) I'm going to Hawaii-
A trip that was planned months ago, and I was actually dreading it.  Until I realized, with the help of my friend, that EVERYONE needs some down time.
Hopefully in two weeks, I will come back recharged and inspired!

Hawaiian Holiday Day 7

The bags are packed, it's time to go-
Only a few hours left in tropical heaven.
We combed the lavender fields,
We swung from the trees into the deep pools of water at Twin Falls,
We sailed off to Lahaina,
We ate delicious meals and drank plenty of Lava Flows,
We watched the gorgeous sunset every night over the water;
But my favorite part was meditating in the healing ocean waters in paradise!
This was an enlightening journey for me-
I don't use the word vacation, because it was much more than that. This trip was healing. It was a reminder to release and surrender to the glory of God. Whatever form or version of Him you believe in, for me there's no mistake in the presence of something greater than I-
I get so caught up in making my life happen the way I want it to, but the lesson I remembered here in Hawaii is that something more wonderful and divine is at work.
When you're a kid you imagine what your life will be as a big picture, as you grow up you discover the bliss is captured in the frames between.
Aloha!

Hawaiian Holiday Day 2

Not every sunrise is beautiful... even in Hawaii.
I woke up at 5 AM to witness the gorgeous pink, orange and purple sunrise that I heard my family bragging about yesterday morning.
Naturally today the skies were grey and cloudy.
But every cloud has a silver lining.  Literally.  There was a stunning silver lining that wrapped around the horizon.  The sun peaked through a cloud and the sky turned blue!
Every day is paradise in Hawaii!
Even when it's grey and cloudy!

Hawaiian Holiday Day 1

Aloha from Maui!