I have to say first that I don’t even love the picture above…haha! But it’s so perfect. While I was standing in Ueno Park in Tokyo, next to the cherry blossom tree (not in bloom, it was autumn) that inspired me to write my first published book (Meditative Questions), I was overcome with so many – Read More –
When I traveled to Thailand, I had expected to stay at the Lamai Muay Thai Camp and train daily. I did that. I expected the become physically stronger. I did. And I expected to meet good people. Another check mark. On the basic levels, my month-long stay in Thailand went exactly as I expected. But as I – Read More –
As I write this post, I’m looking out onto Redondo Beach and feeling at home again. The ocean breeze, blue waters, and muted sun that is so familiar to me from my years living here are all so welcoming after being away for a year. I am so thankful and fortunate that I’m getting closer – Read More –
Before traveling back to the USA, I stopped over for a couple of days in the Azores Islands…on the island of Terceira. It was a beautiful place, with lovely landscapes and a very small town feel. The island was neat and clean with the cutest houses! It was all very quaint…and the owners of the – Read More –
Yesterday, my place was being repainted so I decided to go on a road trip around part of my island. It had been a while since I’d done this and I was overdue for this time deep in nature. The views were stunning and I was happy to be away from the paint smell (and – Read More –
This is a post that I’ve been meaning to write for a while. On Christmas Day, here in Cabo Verde, children made my holiday special. From the smiling faces of children who happily unwrapped small presents I was able to find for them here on the island….to the children who unexpectedly joined me for dinner, – Read More –
It sometimes happens that I get so caught up with writing projects that I forget about my longest standing writing project, this blog ;) So, I’m thankful to friends who share old posts and new pictures that inspire me to come back again ;) One of my dear friends here in Cabo Verde, Joli, is an amazing – Read More –
In the past six months, I have traveled through as many time zones. I started with a lovely trip to Lisbon to visit friends and meet Mooji, and from there, I went on to visit New Jersey, NYC, LA, Austin, and Houston before returning back to Africa. During that whirlwind of a trip, I was – Read More –
This May, I traveled to Lisbon to meet with a Zen Master named Mooji. I have been meaning to write about this experience, but I confess…finishing my novel has gotten in the way of that. However, today, one of my cousins asked me to explain, “…what is Mooji is to [me],” and so now seemed – Read More –
Even when the familiar is not good for us, it can become comfortable simply because it is a known quantity (the unknown somehow seems scarier). We somehow adapt and learn to live in dysfunction. But this can only happen when we have an unclear vision of who we really are. I believe that we are – Read More –