Think romantic walks along the Seine river, hand-holding in the Louvre museum or late night frolicking at the Eifel Tower.
Sad to report, that was the trip of my dreams but not the trip of what happened.
It was a wonderful trip but the separation between the two of us was thick in the air.
We didn’t speak at times.
We disagreed about what we wanted to see.
And had pent up anger towards each which was thicker than a cup of café au lait.
It was painful and heartbreaking.
It was months before our divorce was finalized in 2011.
Fast forward to today where I’ve moved to Asia and writing to you from India.
This week, I write to you from Kerala.
Someone called this God’s country.
Everything they say about Kerala is true.
I’m here for a bit doing more writing, finishing books and coaching people who are recovering from their own breakups or divorces.
This trip is so different than the last.
Early morning writing and walking.
Meditating and socializing with people visiting from around the world.
Watching the sunset in the evening.
Delicious food.
Spiritual awakening.
Creative endeavours.
What the heck, I’m thinking to myself.
How did I end up here?
This is what I would call my dream life.
Working and living the way I want to.
It took me awhile to get here and I’m still pursuing this dream that I had but I’m telling you that this life would have never been possible if I was still unhappily married.
Here’s where I want to get real with you.
Your life felt like it ended when your marriage or long-term relationship did.
You may never have had the opportunity in life to pursue your dreams.
You may never have had a chance to ask yourself what it is you want and how it is you want to live your life.
So much of your life was by default.
The beauty of things coming crashing down is that it clears the path.
It gets rid of all the social constructs, obligations, fears and expectations.
It gives you courage, resiliency and a knowing that you can get through anything or achieve anything.
If you lived a normal life without much challenge or adversity, you couldn’t forge ahead with your dreams.
Those of us who have been through crap know that we can do whatever we want.
We are survivors.
If we can go to hell and back, we can definitely follow our dreams.
So, let’s start today with what it is you want.
Have you given yourself permission to ask yourself what it is you want out of life?
We are here in another new year.
If you feel like you’re not living the life you want, it’s time to ask yourself the easy and hard questions.
What do I want to do with my life?
How can I find meaning and purpose?
How can I create the life I want to live?
If you haven’t asked yourself these questions, let me prompt you.
I’m coaching people this month to uncover what it is they want.
The session lasts about an hour. You can get details here.
Stop dreaming about living your dream life and start making your dream life a reality.
It’s no longer time to play small.
You know what you’re capable of because you’ve survived the worst of it.
I want to ask you what your vision for your life is – read more about my coaching here.
Start the year off right with a life direction coaching session. It’s the first step to launching the life you want to live.
Alchemists are the magical medieval cooks of ancient traditions who transformed metal into gold and silver.
But for many of us, the book, The Alchemist, has literally transformed our lives and inspired us to stay true to our destiny.
It’s written by the Brazilian author, Paulo Coelho, who has sold 65 million copies of this book. Pharell loves this book. Madonna loves this book. Julia Roberts. Oprah. Will Smith and countless other famous and not so famous people.
This is the story of Santiago, the Andalucian shepherd boy, who is inspired by omens, gypsies and wise men to leave his sheep in Spain and go a journey to find his life’s treasure.
In the pursuit of his dreams, Santiago has a strong message to each and everyone of us on achieving our own destinies.
The book is a quick read that will inspire you to pursue your life’s purpose. If you haven’t read it, pick it up here.
In the meantime, here are 15 Life Changing Quotes from The Alchemist to help you do what you were meant to do here on earth. Each quote is followed by a brief explanation.
1. “A shepherd always takes his chances with wolves and with drought, and that’s what makes a shepherd’s life exciting.”
If you don’t take chances and take risks, you won’t be able to reap the awards of the opportunities that come your way. Sometimes, you have to take risks and overcome your fears to follow your dreams.
2. “(That’s the world’s greatest lie.) It’s this: that a certain point in our lives, we lose control of what’s happening to us, and our lives become controlled by fate.”
You can choose your destiny. You have a choice on how your life is going to turn out. The future is in your hands. Even when things get out of control, you can shape your destiny.
3. “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”
When you pursuing your purpose and your destiny, the universe will do its part to support you and to help you succeed. Circumstances will fall in place and in your favor to help you achieve your destiny.
4. “People learn, early in their lives, what is their reason for being,” said the old man, with a certain bitterness. “Maybe that’s why they give up on it so early too. But that’s the way it is.”
Keep your dreams alive. Don’t sacrifice the thing that matters most in your life – staying true to your purpose.
5. “In order to find the treasure, you will have to follow the omens. God has prepared a path for everyone to follow. You just have to read the omens that he left for you.”
You will have signs that will lead you along the way – let them guide you on your path. Follow the signs and guide posts along the journey. Pay attention to messages that the universe is sending you.
6. “And above all, don’t forget to follow your destiny through to its conclusion.”
Don’t give up half way – keep going!
7. “He could always go back to being a shepherd. He could always become a crystal salesman again. Maybe the world had other hidden treasures, but he had a dream, and he had met with a king. That doesn’t happen to just anyone!”
If you have a dream, you’re obligated to pursue it. You have been given a gift of a dream – don’t let it slip through your hands. If you fail, you can go back to whatever you were doing before.
8. “If I could, I’d write a huge encyclopedia just about the words luck and coincidence. It’s with those words that the universal language is written,” the Englishman said.
The universe sends us messages through luck and coincidences –pay attention to them.
9. “Everything on earth is being continuously transformed, because the earth is alive…and it has a soul. We are part of that soul, so we rarely recognize that it is working for us.”
You are being guided by the earth which shares the same soul that you do. See how the earth is working in your favor.
10. “When I have been truly searching for my treasure, I’ve discovered things along the way that I never would have said had I not the courage to try things that seemed impossible for a shepherd to achieve.”
When you’re following your dreams and on your path, you’ll find the courage to do things you wouldn’t have otherwise done.
11. “It is said that the darkest hour of the night came just before the dawn,” (the boy remembered).
Your most difficult time will be right before you reach your destination. Keep going when it is darkest.
12. “You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it’s better to listen to what it has to say. That way, you’ll never have to fear an unanticipated blow” (the Alchemist said)
Be more aware of your intuition and you inner voice. When you listen to your heart, you’re less likely to listen to your fears.
13. “But the payment goes well beyond my generosity,” the monk responded. “Don’t say that again. Life might be listening, and give you less the next time.”
You’ll get what you ask from the world. Ask for your heart’s desires – don’t shortchange yourself.
14. “Where your treasure is, there will also be your heart,” the alchemist had told him.
Your heart will lead you to your destination – listen to your heart because that’s where you’ll find your riches.
15. “It’s true; life really is generous to those who pursue their destiny the boy thought.”
The people who overcome their fears and go after what they were meant to do will find abundance and success in their lives.
If you enjoyed these quotes with explanations, please share on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.
* This is a guest post by singer and artist, Nana.
Inspired by my mother, a classical pianist, I started playing the piano at the age of 4. By the time I was 5, I was performing.
Music was my world and the stage was my comfort zone. For many years, I practiced four hours a day.
Along with music, I dedicated my time and energy as a child to learning about the human experience – what “life” was about. I read many books on such topics as self-help, past lives, classical literature, philosophy and religion. I gained hands-on experience in these areas by listening and talking to everyone I encountered. I always felt my calling was to help others.
So how did a young girl who played classical piano and loved to help others end up singing a song called “Blessed Life” and pursuing her music dreams?
During my teenage years, I decided that classical piano was a lonely experience and announced to my parents that I was going to get a job and live life! Yes, I was only 13 years old at the time. My parents were apprehensive and felt devastated about my decision to work and dance in nightclubs.
Though they were disappointed in my life decisions, I spent much of the 1990s in the New York City dance scene, which was still authentic and resembled that of the 1970s. I knew in my heart that dancing was a journey with a purpose. Also, I figured, why wait until I was 18 to get wild and crazy? I might as well get it out of my system when I was younger.
I explored dance music, customs, liberations of the soul and collective experiences of love, kindness and unity on a mass level. For me, dancing was an expressive and spiritual experience.
This understanding augmented my experiences of music, art, self-expression and outrageous customs that later took me on a journey far into the dessert – what we in Burning Man call the PLAYA. The scene there took art, love and community to another level, and inspired me to become the person I am today.
The roads I traveled widened my artistic and musical understanding. I experienced a sense of community on a deep level and understood the things that moved and motivated people.
All this time, deep down inside, I knew that I wanted to write music. I had always known that I wanted to sing, dance and be on stage, but even though those were my callings, I hadn’t written a song yet!!
The time came when I had to help with my family business and, consequently, take on a full-time job. At work I interacted with intelligent people and built relationships with them by helping with their skin problems. I was putting my experiences with learning and healing into practice.
For a portion of my working years I helped clients who came into the skin care shop. In addition to assisting with their skin issues, I offered life advice, book suggestions and even techniques they could use to heal themselves. Having these clients return or write emails saying that my suggestions were useful and changed their lives became music to my ears.
As I helped people improve their skin and their health, a little voice inside me was whispering, saying that I needed to sing, dance and entertain. As the years passed, I got a journal and began writing songs. I wrote on the subway to and from work, jotting down my experiences, thoughts about life and descriptions of things I encountered on a daily basis.
I decided I would “relate to the human experience” through song and create a message that would lift up and resonate with people. I wanted to write songs that inspired others to take action – to love themselves, keep going, help others, etc.
Years went by and these songs – and my dream – remained in my heart. Then I met my life partner, who became my best friend and my biggest supporter. Someone wanted to help me and now it was my turn to learn the lesson of receiving. To give is great, but to receive is another gift and an art one must learn. The balance of giving and receiving is the key to life. If you only give, you will end up bitter; to learn to receive keeps the universe balanced.
A year went by before I became acquainted with the person who would lead and stimulate my music project – a well-established professional who handled many famous artists.
I went to him with three home-recorded songs and told him my vision – “MUSIC WITH A MESSAGE.” I wanted to help and inspire the world and use music as a way to communicate new forms of art. I wanted to bring together people who have love in their hearts and inspire them to create change in the world. I needed someone like him to represent and help me.
With lots of positive thinking, affirmations and support from the universe, I started the journey this past January.
Although I faced many challenges and bumps in the road, I didn’t give up on this project that I call “music with a message” or “revolution/evolution of self.”
I know I have a long way to go and that I’m in the beginning stages of this journey.
I hope you enjoy my first song, on which I collaborated with the great producer Kyle Kelso. The song is “Blessed Life,” and its video contains elements of the club scene, Burning Man-inspired customs, LED light and, of course, regular people I encountered while wandering around New York City.
I hope you feel inspired and share the light and the message to be “Blessed Always!” And I hope you, too, take action on your dreams today, no matter how big or small they are.
Here are six steps you can take to live a more holistic and conscious life, one that enables you to pursue your dreams and live your light:
1. Read.
Books inspire and give you the tools you need to better your life. These are the top, must-read books that have changed and inspired me.
Get a bundle of sage and cleanse either daily or weekly.
It’s like taking a shower, or vacuuming and dusting.
Open all your windows, light the sage and run it around your body. Then go to each room, including all the corners, and ask to cleanse the energy around you and in your home.
Ask to release everything you don’t need. Invite all new, positive energy.
Trust me – you will feel the difference.
3. Use affirmations.
This is so important. If you want to achieve something, you must get a journal and write, write, write. If you come to my home you will see stacks of notebooks and pages upon pages filled with the same statement, written over and over. In every one of your life’s time frames, you have different needs and goals, different things you must get done.
Write what you want, and do so in positive, present tense (i.e., as though you already have it). This lets your subconscious mind envision what you want, and helps the universe bring it to you. You become open to having it.
A few examples of affirmations:
I HAVE A BRAND-NEW, ENERGY-EFFICIENT RED CAR.
I LOVE MY NEW JOB, I ENJOY THE DAILY ACTIVITIES I DO AND I HAVE A GREAT SALARY THAT SUPPORTS ME ABUNDANTLY.
I LOVE MY NEW PARTNER (even if you don’t have one yet). HE/SHE (list qualities)…IS KIND, IS LOVING, IS FUNNY, IS HEALTHY, IS BALANCED, LOVES ME JOYFULLY.
When getting started, you might want to obtain a deck of affirmation cards from Louise Hay (she has many options), then pick one card daily and complete the affirmation. Repeat it at home and in your head.
4. Exercise.
My mom always says, “Healthy body, healthy mind.”
You need to stretch every day and complete some type of physical activity that will engage your body and mind. Take a walk around your home for 30 minutes a day, or go jogging or hiking on the weekends. Hit up a gym. Whatever it is, do something. Your body needs circulation and activity.
5. Give back and receive.
Help others, whether by listening to them and offering advice, or by doing a favor for them. Also, remember that when your turn comes to receive, accept the help and say, “Thank you.” If you find that no one gives back to you, open your heart and ask for help from the universe. Help will come, and you must stay open to receiving it. You will be surprised to discover who lends a hand or smiles at you when you least expect it.
6. Love yourself.
The world is full of demands. We may not achieve our goals quickly, and we may even fail, but we must remember that our worth doesn’t depend on the amount of money we make or the powerful positions we hold or the material things (nice though they are) we own. We are souls – energy – light. Every night give yourself a hug. No matter how tough your day was, tell yourself, “I love you,” and give yourself a hug.
I would love to hear from you, whether you have questions, feedback or thoughts. Please like my Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter feed. You can also visit my iTunes station or website to stay in touch.
MUCH LOVE TO ALL MY ALCHEMISTS OUT THERE,
NANA
P.S. If you feel inspired by my video, please share it with others who you think will enjoy it.
Hi, I’m Vishnu
I help people overcome their devastating breakups and divorces and find love again. Instead of visiting the Himalayas, sign up below and join me. I am taking a writing break but will be back soon.
This guide is free. A ticket to the Himalayas is $2000. Your move.
