This will be my next blog post. Coming soon... In the meantime stay calm and meditate.

Traveling is a way to lift our spirits and bring us Joy.

Having a trip to look forward to drives us to be better and work harder. Whether it is a day trip to the beach, a weekend in the mountains or a plane trip to Sedona, Arizona; all will bring us joy.

 I recently traveled to Sedona for a workshop and it was quite an experience. Sedona is a place that is filled with spirituality, if you can not reconnect with yourself here than its time to be honest with your true self. Its important to be present and traveling forces to you live in the moment. There was this roaring creek through town and outside my room. At night I could hear it and slept so soundly.  My meditation practice was enhanced with this gift.  Sedona offers you self exploration. Here you can soul search in a vortex, sweat on a red rock hike, or just sit with the Stupa. 

I began the trip with a crystal massage. Quite simply, that is a massage where the therapist uses crystals to achieve balance and peace within, or whatever your goals might be. In my case she placed the crystals along my spine, forehead and palms. The energy that I felt from my palms was the most powerful. It was a very tranquil session and I felt so peaceful after. The stone that resonated the most with me was Danburite. I am crystal savvy, but had never heard of this stone. I saw this as a sign that I needed to get a piece of this stone. I went to a few shops quickly realizing that it was rare. I walked into a crystal boutique that sold fancy jewelry and inquired about Danburite. The woman said that she had 1 pendant of it. I took that as a sign that it was waiting for me. I loved it and bought the pendant. She showed me information about the stone and it originated in Danbury,CT. I live very close to there so I found that interesting. It also said that it is a good stone for soothing the heart. I recently had to put down my dog so anything that soothes my heart is welcome. It was one of those moments where I was lead with my heart. When you follow your intuition through life, its amazing where it will bring you. Intuition is more valuable than your intelligence.

To truly experience Sedona, I went for hike up the most glorious mountain called Doe MT. Hiking is a great way to be engulfed by nature. Here is where any transformation can begin. I think as humans it is very important to evolve and we should always be a work in progress. Change should be embraced not feared. The vortex was also a place to reconnect with yourself. You walk around or hike just observing the beauty of the twisted Juniper trees and red rocks. It's such a unique hike that keeps you grounded while increasing in elevation. The trees are twisted from being in a vortex of healing energy, its important to touch the trees and rocks to receive the loving energy. 

​I also checked out the Amitabha Stupa. It's a peace park in Sedona filled with Buddha's and offerings. The Stupa itself is a tall monument with a Buddha inside that people walk around clockwise and set intentions. It's hard to put into words the feeling here. It's spiritual without being pushy. You just feel the healing energy. Even the skeptics would feel it. I set my intentions and walked peacefully through the park. 

​I ended the trip with a Pink Jeep Tour. This was exhilarating! It's an off road adventure while experiencing agave plants, prickly pear cactus, red rocks, wind and the allure of Sedona. This was the time to let lose, laugh and have fun. A perfect vacation is one that is filled with many elements. Nature, fun, history, spirituality, beauty, water. Traveling is important for everyone. It drags you out of your comfort zone so growth can truly happen. It's where we reconnect and find ourselves. It's the moments of uncertainty we understand who we really are. 

Traveling has brought me so much joy in life as well as self exploration. I am honestly not sure who I would be if not for traveling. I am so grateful for these experiences to help me grow and expand. I try to live life by following my intuition first and then listening to my intelligence. 

Namaste,
Denise