Capture My Best Life!

Five skills I learned while training to be a Whitewater Rafting Guide

This experience has helped me to relax, calm down, and just breath. Because there’s nothing like floating along and seeing waves as fun. The first few times I looked at those waves, I was terrified. I thought I’d surely fall out of this kayak and then never get back in and have to ask for help. But that didn’t happen. In fact, I was surprised at how forgiving the kayak was, and at myself, for doing this. I was kayaking in whitewater!

Life’s Journey to a new home

“If there’s happiness tucked away in my tragedies, I’ll find it no matter what. If the blind can find joy in music, and the deaf can discover it with colors, I will do my best to always find the sun in the darkness because my life isn’t one sad ending – it’s a series of…

Much Ado About Nothing

“Let me be that I am and seek not to alter me.” ― William Shakespeare, Much Ado About Nothing The best thing about the official kickoff of summer, in my opinion, is Shakespeare in the Park. The 26th Annual Free Shakespeare in the Park kicked off May 31st. This year Gamut Theatre presents Much Ado About Nothing. Enjoy…

Whitewater Kayaking Adventures

“If not now, when? If not you, who?” ― Hillel the Elder I’ve always loved being near water. I can remember long summer days by the creek. My sister and I would see how far we could go and where we would end up just by following the Quitty. I never had thought about actually swimming…

Truths & Travel: Making Memories

“What matters in life is not what happens to you but what you remember and how you remember it.” ― Gabriel Garcia Marquez Memories are made, and I can choose how to create them When I was in Mexico, I made memories with friends, using a coloring book and pencils I brought, which now remind me…

Longwood Gardens, Blooming of flowers and new beginnings

“I know a bank where the wild thyme blows, Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows, Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine, With sweet musk-roses and with eglantine.” ― William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream A Saturday stroll at Longwood Gardens had me stopping to smell the roses and learn about some history for a few hours. This…

Last weekend at Glen Onoko Falls

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.” ― Henry David Thoreau As sweat collected on my brow and my breathing deepened, my…

Truths & Travel: The Butterfly Effect in Mexico

“Change one thing, Change everything.” – The Butterfly Effect Rising early Thursday morning in my flat in Mexico, I was excited about the day ahead. One of my fellow travelers in our mastermind group titled “Lionesses” (A group founded following the DenEx trip with Location Indie) booked a handful of us a driver to transport…

Why I’m excited to turn 40

To be honest, I had these thoughts and strived for most of these things in the past. I pursued relationships that were unhealthy just to see if I could get the right “box” checked, I tried to be someone who wanted kids or someone who should be running marathons. But that’s tiring, trying to be someone else when I’m just me. It’s better to just be me.

Truths & Travel: Part 4

My brain stopped working I guess, and I felt stuck like I didn’t know how to explain to her. I started to “mime” what I thought made sense, the word “flow” by sweeping my arms from my head to my feet and saying the word “flow” like she understood any of it, it was the most obscure thing I’ve ever done. Just after that, I noticed that the tampons were behind her, and started to point to them, and finally, she understood me, pulled them off the shelf, and rung me up for them. I felt like an idiot. I mean, I “mimed” the word “flow” and I still can’t get over it. Every time I tell the story to people I’m laughing at myself. So the lesson here kids, learn some words in the language of the country you are visiting, and at least use the phone, that has a translator!

Spring brings Calming Clarity and Energetic Inspiration

“Spring work is going on with joyful enthusiasm.” — John Muir The beating of the drums began and the sun shined bright. Even though it was only 50 degrees, it was feeling like spring. The aroma of blossoming plants, the crisp air, and the need for sunscreen all means that it’s finally a new season. I…

2 Years as a “Minimalist” – Life with less

“Minimalism is a tool to help you say ‘yes’ to that which is most important and meaningful.”—The Minimalists Two years ago I was introduced to the concept of Minimalism more intimately after taking a road trip to Pittsburgh with a friend to meet The Minimalists. Following that adventure, I discovered so many ideas, concepts, and…

Family Firsts, Beach Vibes, and Cranberry Bogs in New Jersey

“Oh the places you’ll go” – Dr. Seuss This past weekend I took a trip to New Jersey to visit my aunt. While we were there, we decided to explore the area and found some amazing places. Our first stop was to Seaside Heights. Best Burgers in town! Along the Seaside Heights Boardwalk, we discovered Spicy Cantina….

Truths & Travel: Mexico, Part 3

Standing on a rock that is 65 Million years old, and at an elevation of 8,235 feet above sea level, I felt that I had defied not only gravity, but all the limiting believes I’ve ever had about myself. It was real. I was here, with people who inspired me to be a better person, and challenged my limiting beliefs.

Laughter is the key to spark energy and creativity

“The immediate expression of our truth releases light and warmth, that influences the life we are part of, this is the way our spirit shines!” – Mark Nepo I like being productive, having energy, and being focused on purpose, doing the work I love that inspires me. The kind of work that doesn’t feel like…

Truths & Travel: Mexico, Part 2

“You are just as worthy, deserving, and capable of creating and sustaining extraordinary health, wealth, happiness, love, and success in your life, as any other person on earth. It is absolutely crucial … that you start living in alignment with that truth.” – Hal Elrod, The Miracle Morning My first Mexico Motivational Morning I first…

Truths & Travel: Mexico, Part 1

“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” ― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves Travels to colonial Querétaro, Mexico Exactly one month ago today, I arrived in Querétaro, Mexico for a life-changing experience that would alter my mindset and set me…

International Travel, Morning Commutes, and keeping Non-Negotiable habits

Driving down the highway, towards the Baltimore-Washington International Airport, I watched the sunrise while feeling a mix of emotions as I headed to catch my flight on my first trip ever out of the United States (Officially- I’m not counting the time I went to Canada for an hour). The day would be long, but…

Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival, 2019 ~

“As a little kid, blues meant hope, excitement, pure emotion. Blues were about feelings. They seem to bring out the feelings of the artist and they brought out my feelings as a kid. They made me wanna move, or sing, or pick up Reverend’s guitar and figure out how to make those wonderful sounds.” ― B.B….

Improv Lessons, Fun? Yes! And…

After 8 weeks, I’ve finished my (2nd) Level 1 Improv Class! I initially decided to take it over the winter to keep myself from hibernating but found that it also helped me get let go and have fun, laugh, and improve my practice of being present. Here are five reasons why I loved the improv…

Improv = Laughs & Learning to Listen

“THERE ARE NO MISTAKES, only opportunities.” – Tina Fey Recently I attended the Steel Stacks Improv Festival for a laugh-all-day, no breaks, improv-all-day event that was jam-packed with talented people doing amazing improv comedy on stage. It was awesome and so much fun. Yes, And… that’s what Improv is all about. Accepting what is presented,…

New Year, New Beliefs, New Challenges

It’s already half-way through January of 2019 and I’m struggling to keep my new self in balance. I set so many resolutions, I created a 20×30 graph and hung it up next to my standing desk, to remind myself of all the goals and actions I’m taking every week. Two weeks in, I’m struggling to…

How to Make an AWESOME Vision Board for 2019 Goals!!

I’ve been doing Vision Boards, using magazines, glue, and poster board, for the past year. Creating boards each month, and sometimes multiple boards per month, focusing on a topic or mood. (Career Goals and Happy Thoughts) I’ve created them on my own and with friends and I’ve found that I really love the time I…

Austin Adventures, Part 5: The Journey & Returning Home

“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…

Setting Goals for 2019~ Intentions, Expectations for Success!

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…

The 2018 Year in Photos & Review

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…

Austin Adventures, Part 4: Finding a tribe for support, bliss and earning my happy, a never-ending journey

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…

Austin Adventures, Part 3: Facing Fear

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 &…