While in Saint Martin/Sint Maarten this spring, I finished a book by Osho called Awareness. I learned so much from the book. I highly recommend the read. I did manage to question a few of Osho’s views on ever-debatable topics such as medicine, scientific advancements, and surprisingly, the purpose of Yoga. But to me, in every respect, it’s healthy to question the views of your teachers and leaders–absolutely no one gets to stop learning.

Osho overwhelms readers with the concept of Awareness–as he should. Real awareness is very difficult to achieve and something people (maybe excluding Buddhas) must work for in every present moment. One of the best ways to achieve this concept of awareness is meditation. And, as Osho points out, there are several key points to remember along the way…

You are alive only in the proportion that you are aware. Awareness is the difference between death and life. You are not alive just because you are breathing; you are not alive just because your heart is beating.

We all know this is true. Zach Sobiech just taught the world this lesson over the last 24 hours. He’s not the only one though. So many people throughout our lives teach us this concept and somehow so many people manage to continue doing things they don’t enjoy doing. All because of fear, of failure, rejection, etc.

Why? Also, who cares?

Rejection is out of weakness—you are afraid. Stronger people would like to absorb everything that life gives. Religious, irreligious, moral, immoral, divine, devilish—it makes no difference; the strong person absorbs everything. And he [or she] is richer for it.

The next time you are faced with a decision that sparks concern(s) of rejection, keep it simple. Do what you are afraid to do. There is no chance for rejection when it will only make you stronger.

Control is a poor substitute for awareness, a very poor substitute; it doesn’t help much.

Awareness has nothing to do with being in control.

The world is beautiful, adventurous; it is a challenge, it enriches. Don’t lose that opportunity—whenever the world knocks at your door and calls you, go out. Go out fearlessly—there is nothing to lose, there is everything to gain. But don’t get lost. Don’t go on and on and get lost; sometimes come back home.

Hold that head up high, focus on what you have within, and go, go, go!

-C

You can love, but it will not be like a fall, it will be like a rise.
And by and by love becomes not a relationship, it becomes a state of your being.

All credits go respectfully to Osho

Being out of the country for 3 weeks and without my computer made me realize two things: I wholeheartedly hate the way news media has evolved in America. Pundits are nothing but parrots.

Michael and I traveled down to Saint Martin-Sint Maarten Island in the Caribbean for just under 3 weeks. St. Martin/Sint Maarten is the smallest land mass in the world shared by two sovereign nations. While there is a border separating the two sides of the island, currently there is no border control. We soaked up the gorgeous sun, beaches, snorkeling, paddle-boarding, seafood, and local rum on both the French and Dutch side. We took advantage of every moment and did some serious relaxing and reading as I continue in great effort to heal from both wrists being injured, in addition to some frustrating circulatory problems. Thank you again for voice dictation on my MacBook. I have a lot to share but as you can imagine my typing is limited; my voice dictation software is still learning… therefore, I hope you enjoy a few of our favorite moments captured below.

The airplane is real. And, awesomely enough, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Sint Maarten’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Sint Maarten’s air carrier operations. Snorkeling is my new favorite thing, and I learned that Michael will jump off a cliff not knowing how deep the water really is below, (this did not help my circulatory problems but it was a good adrenaline rush for us both). We stumbled upon Carnival on the Dutch side and met new friends all around the island. We stared down sunsets, and visited a creepy 5-star resort, La Belle Créole that was damaged by a hurricane in 1995. You can see what the resort looked like originally here. We stuffed our faces with French cuisine in Grand Case, and visited Pinel Island twice. We couldn’t help but laugh at the nudest beach in Orient Bay. Our favorite beaches included: Le Galion, Mullet Bay, Cupecoy, Happy Bay, Grand Case, Maho, Baie Aux Prunes… okay, so most of them. The really great news though, this pale thang got a tan!

- As always, click each photo to enlarge or to watch as a slide show. Thanks for stopping by and feel free to ask us any questions about the Island–we highly recommend visiting SXM -

Today marks the beginning of a personal journey to heal. The simple version: I am taking the next eight weeks to heal physically but more important, holistically.

If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading. (Lao Tzu)

Taking time off from your typical routine is scary. Until you do it.
It’s important to remember:

Loss is not as bad as wanting more. (Lao Tzu)

The recent tragedies in our homeland remind us that fear is the most contagious disease in the world, it spreads like wildfire, that’s what terror wants it to do.
(Do It Girl)

This is where we come in. We overcome fear, we love one another. And just as important we love ourselves. Your life is your practice. If you are hurting, the healing will not occur at someplace. The healing occurs within you. Right here, and right now. Not only does this apply to your innate intelligence but it applies to your spiritual practice.

-C

A big thank you to my man, and the dictation and speech app that was installed on my MacBook Pro, you and I are to become best friends.

Hold on to what you believe
When it’s too dark to see
Question what you believe
When there’s enough light
To see the things
That are right there
In front of..

Sounds silly to be full of fear
When the topography remains the same
It’s all right there
Only the light changes

-C

I’ll go along with everything that tests, and rests, on my pride. I’ve mastered this task since my first recollections of consciousness. Instantly apprehensive, and me, frozen, in the midst of destruction. Young, except not always innocent. That ambiguity of sanctuary, and mystery of spirituality interests me—just not enough to compete with the realist soul that supports my chest out and chin high. I look back and I know what changed me. I started moving. The kind of moving that guarantees perspective, as long as your senses are open. Doing is more important than believing. Belief comes from searching and you’ll always be searching. Trust in what you’re doing and let your actions show your values and morals. Those terms do not need verbal explanation or reiteration. Go, move, mess up your routine!

-C

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Self-Reliance

Before the New Year, we introduced the Thousands of Photos project with the purpose of sharing thousands of photos from our travels indefinitely—photos that only our hard drives have seen.

The Whitsunday Islands rest along the Great Barrier Reef off the eastern coast of Australia. They rank consistently as one of the top 5 beaches in the world. Due to our lack of spending money on expensive accommodation, we decided to treat ourselves to a day cruise on a Catamaran. After spending the night on Airlie Beach—walking the shoreline and gazing at the stars, we boarded our Cruise Whitsunday Camira just before 8am in mid-December 2010. We snorkeled the GBR and made our way to Whitehaven Beach—where the sand is so clean and so fine that it actually squeaks beneath your feet, seriously. The photo above captured the last moments of the day’s sailing, shortly after 6pm as the sun began to set. The day was worth every single penny, but more importantly, every effort it took to get there.

I look back at this photo with feelings of tranquility, contentment, appreciation, and balance. Reminiscing and truly appreciating the opportunities and experiences we’ve had is just as important as creating new ones.

If we surrendered to earth’s intelligence we could rise up rooted, like tress.  –Rainer Maria Rilke

This photo is really, really important. Why? Well, that’s my mom, first off. That deserves a novel in itself. Secondly, this is the moment—just moments before I left my home country to discover the same planet we all survive off of. This photo was taken out of desperation. I was intoxicated with excitement but my mom was nervous and crying. She was sending her youngest off at the Denver International Airport in early morning hours on December 4, 2010. I uploaded and captioned the photo with “brb, mom (:” and she commented the next day, “Yes, it will go fast…” It did. That was over 2 years ago.

Since that moment, I have traveled through and explored the sunny east coast, and northern confusion of Australia, the peaceful rice fields and tourist hells of Bali, the Indian-influenced food and Islamic-infused Malaysia, the chocking air in the south, peaceful temples, fresh raw foods and unconditional love of elephants in northern Thailand, the cut-throat air, bus rides, and vicious yet noble strength of Nepal, the dry land and sickening wealth of Dubai, the pure history of Turkey, the respect of the Royal family and art of the United Kingdom, the tapas and genuine friendship of Spain, the island wine, long forest runs, clear-blue Adriatic sea and beautiful souls of Croatia, and the originality and randomness of Iceland – in addition to several community-driven United states. Now, ironically, I’m back in the place where it all began—Denver, Colorado. An adrenaline pumping, craft brew drinking, dog-friendly, family and friend-filled city. Grateful is an understatement. I want to live my life as if no one is watching, and as if everyone is watching. This year is no different. Work hard, love more, and Embrace the Adventure! Go nuts, friends. Let’s not be afraid of death—by living life.
-C