![Writing Group](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1699715640174-2L07XL5OFERSZRROVYJH/Untitled+design+%283%29.png)
Writing Group
I am all about experiencing new adventures and trying new things, obviously. This week’s adventure was quite unexpected but joyous in ways I didn’t expect.
![The Gap Year](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1699634957726-8R3LBIDB2QOUENNIHMVJ/IMG_7594.jpeg)
The Gap Year
It has been an entire year since I made the decision to step away from real estate; to give up my entire identity as I knew it, and rebuild my whole life on a foundation of joy, personal values, and authenticity. This Gap Year, as the young kids are calling it these days, has proven to be just what I needed to get my mind wrapped around the idea that I can literally do anything I want with my life.
![Simplicity In Service](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679401930756-J09KT07RCMWF0D2PAS2E/IMG_3490.jpeg)
Simplicity In Service
One of the simplest ways you can bring joy into your life, elevate your vibration (as well as those around you), and contribute to the world is through service. It may sound selfish (it isn’t because it is a win/win), but serving others feels amazing! It shifts your focus from your own life’s issues and problems, and humbly refocuses it onto others who may be suffering, too. When we give our time, energy, and/or resources to others, the positive intention is released into the Universe and paid forward somewhere else.
![Grateful For Gratitude](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679401786318-2I9RYPDQYV5KEQN3LBIR/IMG_2066.jpeg)
Grateful For Gratitude
If we focus on what we don’t have, our mind only sees the thing, experience, person, feeling, etc that we are missing. While doing this, our negatively distracted mind forgets about all that we already have. It also misses out on all of the possibilities that lie in front of us because we are only focusing on what is lacking.
![Discovering Passions](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679401500436-AIHVD3V4QCTS2DGYNRH0/123_1.jpeg)
Discovering Passions
Why do adults quit engaging in hobbies and interests? The most common reasons I hear are lack of time, money, babysitters, or energy. Sometimes, people give these excuses, but underneath, they wouldn’t know what to do if they had additional time, money, energy, or babysitters. Sometimes we stop allowing ourselves to want to try new things. We stop allowing ourselves to dream, to wonder, to explore, etc. Life gets busy, our spirits get trampled upon, other things take priority and before we know it, we are going through the motions of life without consciously participating in a lot of it.
![Breathe](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679401209571-8G1SUN62SCZ0D4MEVL8G/breathe-here-life.jpg)
Breathe
Imagine the nervous energy someone about to step into a ring to fight in front of hundreds of strangers would be feeling. Yes, I was feeling all of that and probably more when fight day finally came. This kind of anxiety and adrenaline will leave a first time fighter wiped out and “gassed” before they ever step in the cage. Throughout the entire day leading up to my 6 pm fight, I utilized the breathing techniques I had learned in yoga.
![From The Ashes Of Burnout](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679400883321-PLIQJ4V2YAV1FAETJ3GZ/IMG_3324.jpeg)
From The Ashes Of Burnout
The Universe/God/The Higher Power/Mother Nature (whatever you label It) is a funny thing. It will speak to us gently and subtly for a while, but when we refuse to listen it will slap us in the face with an injury or illness, which forces us to pay attention. So, there I sat, finally acknowledging I had an issue at hand and finally ready to deal with it.
![Finding Purpose](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/62a3b0619350b91b1da0a0d5/1679348910654-PUDXI06RI12XCFOG6C4T/download.jpeg)
Finding Purpose
I have a podcast, as some of you may know, called Clock Out! Vicarious Life. Creating that platform for storytelling came to me through a source greater than myself (as a lot of my courageous ideas do) about nine months ago. When the idea first came, I was wanting to do something different with my career, but I didn’t know what that was. I wanted to shift into something less social and more creative. Out of no where, the idea came to create a show where my guests and I could inspire others to be courageous and intentional with their lives. I wanted to find all of those people who others likely “lived vicariously through”