La Dolce Vita Retreats

When I was developing the concept for La Dolce Vita Retreats one of the benefits I was looking forward to enjoying was the opportunity to challenge myself.  One of the most significant areas in which I have been challenging myself is related to my lifelong fear of heights.  That fear has prevented me from enjoying activities and experiences that I long for but the fear has held me back.  So I have been gradually desensitizing myself over the past few years and  I was so thrilled last week when I accomplished hiking the “Path of the Gods” on the Amalfi Coast.  I never would have been capable of doing that three years ago!  It was such an amazing feeling of freedom.

I’ve always dreamed of hot air ballooning over the Loire Valley and the Masai Mara but resigned myself to the fact that I would never be able to have those experiences.  I may not be ready quite  yet, but I now have the hope and possibility that I could accomplish that.  My goal is to be able to hot air balloon over the Masai Mara on July 12, 2010.

Named so because one can almost touch the clouds!

In her book, “Just who will you be?”, author Maria Shriver states: ” I’ve learned that asking ourselves not just what we want to be, but who we want to be is important at every stage of our lives, not just when we’re starting out in the world.  That’s because in a way, we’re starting fresh in the world every single day.”

Recently, because of the difficult economic times we are experiencing, I am seeing many women, young and older, being tossed out of jobs they have never been passionate about but, ones in which they felt secure.  Many of these women have harbored dreams of other careers or life paths that have never been realized, or for that matter, even verbalized.  Because they have feared the loss of security, they have never ventured to take the risk to chase their dreams, to make them a reality and live a truly fulfilling life.  They’ve accepted what’s been given.

Do you, perhaps, see yourself in this picture?  Now is your opportunity!  One door has closed but another is open and beckoning you to explore.  Who will you be?  What do you want?  What fulfills you?  What are your values?  If you could ever dream big, now is the time.  You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  If money were not an issue, and people’s opinions did not matter, what would your future self look like?  Where would you be?  What would your home look like?  Who would be in your life?  What would you be doing?  What advice would your future self give to your present self?  What is the legacy you would like to leave?

Too often we don’t allow ourselves to think BIG.  Why is that?  What does thinking small accomplish?  People who change the world step outside of “small”.  You have an opportunity each and every day to start fresh – to re-invent yourself, your life, the way you think.

Be everything you want to be!  Be true to yourself.  Work hard.  Share.  Connect. Celebrate others.  Be kind.  Open doors for others.  Gift humanity with your best.  Be AUTHENTIC.  Be passionate about your time on earth.  Life is a banquet of unlimited opportunities.  What is it you want?  How will you get there?

Just who will you be?

Blessings,

Janice