“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing.” ~Seneca On my final morning in Austin, Texas, I took the rental car, drove down…
After reviewing my 2018 highlights and struggles, I’m working through looking towards the next year with a strategic plan for success and moving towards a more inspiring, rewarding, exciting, purposeful, and powerful life full of challenge and I don’t have all the answers, but here’s where I am at this moment: What do I really…
What was time very well spent this year? Self Development, Journaling – I’ve developed the daily habit of journaling my thoughts using the Daily Stoic Journal, as well as a notebook, and now I’m also using the Sweet Ass Journal to Develop Your Happiness Muscle in 100 Days. Journaling has not only helped me better…
On my last full day in Austin, I wanted to get out and experience some hiking and since I’d already planned to write a feature story for Travel Pulse about “10 Outdoor-Inspired Austin Activities” it was necessary, even if it was only 30 degrees. As I walked along the pathway at Zilker Park, I started to…
Since I was a kid, I’ve had a fear of doing things that are outside of my comfort zone. When I started traveling earlier this year, I decided that each trip would include something that pushes me past self-limiting beliefs. This is the third part in my Austin Adventures series, check out Part 1 &…
I quit the gym this year to take better care of myself. I know that might not make sense to most people, but I know that for me, it was the right decision. Besides saving money, I saved about 25 minutes by not having to drive back and forth, having more time at home to…
My first day in Austin, Texas was a dreary, cold, and windy day. Waking up from a nice, relaxing sleep, and feeling thankful for an extra hour, I was ready to take on this city and explore. I wanted to do my morning practice of yoga and meditation but after checking the weather, I realized…
I’ve found that I really enjoy bringing essential oils when I travel for a number of reasons. I feel like the biggest benefit to oils is that they help calm and ground me and when I’m literally in the air, with feelings of anxiety about arriving safely or just what to expect when I arrive somewhere,…
This year my focus has been on wellness and finding peace and happiness in being alone and discovering how essential oils have helped me to be calm and feel a sense of relaxation. I first started using oils for neck pain and stress relief, but I quickly realized that I could use it for making…
Journal entry: Today is going to be about being present and mindful in my experiences, with friends and others around me, to be and feel amazing. Earlier in the year, I had mentioned to one of my best friends, Jen, about taking a trip to Watkins Glen to see the amazing waterfalls. We decided we’d…
Journal Entry: This trip made it real for me, to not only be apart of a group, but to prove to myself, that I can do this, I can travel, and stand on top of a mountain with people who all want to challenge each other with a common goal of getting to a better…
September 28 Journal Entry: I believe in the power of just being aware of the space where you are, and I love that about our group. We talked about our challenges and what’s stopping us from moving closer to this life we want. Friday morning kicked off the Location Indie Denver Experience, the conference that…
This is the third in a series of stories from my experience traveling to Denver, Colorado. Please read the second one here. September 26 Journal Entry: As I stepped onto the gravel pathway, I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, I took a moment to be grateful for this moment, and vowed to…
September 24 Journal Entry- This week will challenge me, drive me, and motivate me. I think about all the possible outcomes and know that the people I meet are going to have such a profound effect on my life. I will take what I learn and write about it, finding ways to use the…
“Dare to live the life you’ve always wanted.” As I walked on the gravel trail through City Park in Denver, I thought about how I got here, to this amazing and vibrant city. The air was different in Denver, and I was different, I was so excited on the plane because I knew I’d meet…
“Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us. Between the two stands Resistance.” ― Steven Pressfield 10 years ago I made a decision that I was going to put myself first. I was going to make significant changes to my lifestyle, to get the body I wanted,…
“To be everywhere is to be nowhere.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca, Letters from a Stoic So I just got back from Denver, Colorado two weeks ago and feel really overwhelmed. I keep coming back to the phrase “Be where your feet are.” As I continue to travel, today to New York to spend time in Watkins Glen,…
“Use every person’s skill set to the fullest. Both optimists and pessimists contribute. An optimist invents the hot air balloon, and a pessimist invents the parachute.” ― Ramesh Lohia and Surbhi Lohia The annual Lancaster Hot Air Balloon Festival kicked off on Friday, Sept. 8 and eager to capture some images of the balloons, I drove…
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” ― Lucius Annaeus Seneca It started as a calm, breezy Sunday evening. After a very productive weekend of household chores, writing, and journaling, I wanted to enjoy the remaining few hours of the weekend out on the river with a friend, relaxing in a kayak on the…
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself in your way of thinking.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations On a recent hike, I found myself working to keep myself balanced on rocks in a stream, to keep from falling in, getting my tennis shoes wet. It takes an effort to keep from…
“If you really want to escape the things that harass you, what you’re needing is not to be in a different place but to be a different person.” ― Seneca, Letters from a Stoic Recently I took on a challenge to walk around my hometown of Annville, PA as a tourist. I’ve always wanted to…
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.” ― Brené Brown As I walked on the trails of Sweet Arrow Lake with my friend Jen, I felt a…
“As is a tale, so is life: not how long it is, but how good it is, is what matters.” ― Seneca On my 30-something birthday I continued the tradition I started last year, to get outside and go for a hike. Unlike last year, this time I went hiking alone. I traveled to Gravity…
“You will never know the moon or stars, unless you breathe in their solar system and inspect it from many diverse vantage points as possible.” ― Shannon L. Alder The world really is an interesting place in which to discover unique history, inspiring people, and fascinating sights. Although I have my sights set on traveling…
I recently went to the Circus. Not Ringling Brothers Circus or Barnum & Bailey, but a small local circus that comes into Harrisburg once a year. The 71st Annual Zembo Shrine Circus, located on N. 3rd Street & Division Streets in the city, the unique building is one of Harrisburg’s gems. It’s a throwback to…
The past three months I practiced yoga, meditation and walking on a daily basis and began a coaching program for transformation of mindset and weight loss. Here are the changes and improvements I made in the last 12 weeks. I learned so much about myself and I’m so excited to continue the learning. My journaling/tracking…
{Photos by Deb Schell created on March 11, 2018} I attended the 5th Annual Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival this past weekend. Check out my photos from some of the artists. More Photos
“Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body.” ― Seneca In the new year I didn’t exactly make “resolutions” but I did set some intentions to create better habits. These include working on improving my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. I often think that I wish I could see people I admire while they…
