Category: Travel

Hello Consciousness!

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Right now, I am staring at a 70 ft HUMUNGOUS Brachiosaurus.
Its skeleton at least.
We are sitting in a private little set up we’ve created, music and all, in the Chicago O’hare airport, on my way to,
well……….
I am not privy to tell you yet, it’s a secret.

I will let you know when we get there.

In the meantime, I would like to expound a bit, let you in on our travels and the whirlwind we have experienced.
Even if its just in mention.

Vail, Vail,
to you we hail……
we had an incredible time visiting you and your breathtaking views. You are a sight to behold, we were held spellbound by your snowbound beauty and had quite the time viewing your canyons, rivers, and snow-capped peaks.
In fact, we find it fascinating that there are places so beautiful, tucked away inside the Rockies, you are a breath of mountain fresh air.
You cleared our heads and grounded us in your wonders.
Gracias.

As for what we experienced while we were there.
Our amazing host, we’ll call him “Bobby”, provided an excellent space for us in a spacious condo right at your foothills,
Vail.
I literally strolled out and trekked up the mountain, amongst the few feet of snow and pines.

Yes, some could say the attitude is rather ritzy in your lands, Vail, and we, well we made it a bit artsy that night.
Its all in perception, right?
At this restaurant, I asked for us all to have crayons, and so we started a meal of art, reveling and sharing in one everyone’s presence, while coloring what came to us.
With my fun inner child already playing,
I ordered a banana split for dinner.
Along with the real meals that were top notch,
my banana split was PERFECTO!

As for us.

Onward, Ho

It is time for us to go to where consciousness guides us.
Consciousness, awareness, higher and higher.
completely guided by source.
Call it intuition or higher knowing, whatever it is it flows through, urging and guiding into where is needed to be.
Not in a plan, because it seems within this everflowing current, things are continually shifting. We have surrendered to the power of it, and what would seem impossible to get done within two days, we managed without the blink of the eye.
Including getting a passport, selling a car and ALL that entails, funding, purchasing tickets, organizing, repacking and shipping home what wasn’t needed . Several appointments and taking care of much business.
After I had altitude sickness.
A whirlwind, like I said.
We loved and appreciated every moment of being in Colorado.

 

xo,
Nicole

Kansas City, a gem of the Midwest

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It had occurred to me while along this adventure to call my friend Jen, whom I had connected with on the magical black sand beach in Hawaii. Where we were all students of the power this magical island held, teaching us the ways to live harmoniously, aligned and sustainably.
On this powerful, mystical island, we would discuss something and within minutes to hours the object of our focus would somehow present itself. We were a powerful conduit for creating and abundance. Hawaii would generously give of herself to us with foods and the lushness of her lands. We would pick avocados and coconuts off the trees to take to the beach, and delve into transformative conversations that took us deep down the rabbit hole.
It was happy, bubbly, conscious living with the elements.

What a more suiting person to visit on this trip, someone I learned so much from,
a loving, vibrant light that helped me to become more conscious.

I knew that Jen lived in Kansas city, Missouri, which is on our way out west. I put it out there to her that we would be coming that way.

Come, you can stay here, she told me

Perfect

Kansas city is a hidden gem in the midwest, not a place I would think to come to. I am really glad we stopped here. The city has an older charm to it and an open friendliness to the people we have come across, a laid back, slower pace is felt here. An ease of sorts.

First priority today was yoga. After sitting in the car for 2 days, my body was in dire need of a good workout. Bikram was calling me, getting a workout while also detoxing through sweating is so perfect to unwind.
Finding a studio was simple and the class was more challenging than some I have taken. A smaller class size with a teacher who pushed us to our limits, not so much guiding, as counting and having us hold the poses as he counted.
Exactly what I needed.

So here I am, sitting in a homey, brick enclosed room in Blue Bird Bistro.
We just ate an incredibly natural, nourishing meal. After traveling for a couple of days and eating more dried foods, nuts and fruit, it’s a comfort to eat fresh.
This gem in and of itself is impressive with the local, organic produce including fresh and local dairy and meats.
Amazing, I think to myself.
Their breakfast/lunch dishes contain delectable varieties of cheese, stuffed chicken, shephard pies, fresh eggs, greens, sweet potatoes, vegetables and curry.
Our first thing of course was coffee, all organic up in here, and the cream is fresh from a local farmer.
To eat, we ordered a baked stuffed sweet potato with sauteed veggies and a black bean, carmelized onion and feta tortilla wrap. The taste was exquisite and my heart is singing with the feeling of eating well.
Eating like this every meal, would be a pleasure beyond measure.

Darrin and I are venturing out tonight in this city that I have formed a fondness for. We will see what it has to offer with its artistic nightlife. Jen no doubt will show us a good time, as is her nature.

Until then, here’s to local charm.

xo,

Nicole

Signs and Synchronicities

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I am en route right now, in the midwest, the heart of America and whatever stops may present themselves along the way. Headed to Vail, Colorado for a few weeks, to get my bearings and jet to where we are guided to from there.

Fun, lightness, adventure and communication is what is building and it almost feels too easy, but after all, it’s a dream manifestation.
Finally.
We have left everything behind, sorted this adventure out in under 5 days and we are off.
Everything has lined up in an almost magical way, abundance has come to us for this journey and I know will continue to be with us.

This, is undeniably what feels right.
As much resistance as I want to place on this experience, I have to give in and trust that all will work out, as it always does.

Trusting has not always been the easiest thing for me to do.

let go, let go.

I have had my signs, synchronicities that are too uncanny not to trust in.
Reminding me of one of my favorite books, that I first read when I was 13. The Celestine Prophecy.

 

First stop
I knew that I had to go to this candle store in downtown Detroit, and once I arrived there, the woman who ran the store said that someone had come in earlier with a message, a prayer. She felt it was meant to give it to me. She told me that I was the only person she could trust to get it out to the world, and that the woman who came in said it was important and knew I would come in for it. That she wanted for it to be published on the internet.
I received it with gratitude and a bit of bewilderment, the fact that she entrusted me with something of the sorts.
I am not religious by any means, rather taking in the tenets of what I feel is best for me within all religions, doctrines, philosophies and ways of life.
I am about discerning truth for self.
As I was walking out another woman handed me a sheet with a seperate prayer on it.

prayers repeatedly showing up on this journey.

I am taking them as a good sign.
And that’s my truth

they speak to me of

REVERENCE for the forces that are not in our control.

We had been questioning where to go from the states. I knew that I desired to volunteer, be in the jungle, ocean and sun and also learn a valuable lesson or two. I kept having visions of Costa Rica and/or Peru, and researching avenues and organizations in both places.

Our next stop was to get coffee.
While cashing out I looked down, in front of my eyes, loudly and colorful was a sign that said:

COSTA RICA

Marketing a new coffee, with a picture of the jungle and beaches.
Not really taking this too seriously I went into the bathroom to powder my nose. While in there I was smiling to myself, laughing for what already seemed like an auspicious beginning.
In gratitude.
Shockingly,
the lights flashed off, once ,
then again
and again.

alright.
Got it.
A sign where to go, a place I was already having visions of.

We then stopped at a gas station, and pulled up to the pump to another sign.
again staring us in the face

PERU
with coffee and beans surrounding it.

This is becoming a treasure hunt, and the treasure is in each of these magical moments. Prompting us on, giving us clues and ideas of where to head and what to do.

Peru,
I had already been wanting to visit your luscious lands, I will keep you in mind along these adventures. Coffee and Central/South America seem to be a running theme here and yet, even if these signs don’t work out, something just as amazing will.

With adventuring, I don’t know every destination, but will understand the signs when needed.

Trust

The intentions are to explore, help, learn and grow, while also bringing myself and gifts to wherever it is I land.

cheers to life, and being spontaneous.

xo,
Nicole

On a side note…….

Detroit,

I will be back from journeying to build the healing/arts/garden sanctuary I have been envisioning, bringing what I learn to you.

Bon Voyage

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After a contemplative, confusing and deliberating search over the past 4 months.
I have come to some conclusions about my life,

as of recently, my main questions have been
WHERE DO I GO?
WHAT DO I DO?
This has been a search that has caused me and many around me much confusion.
After thinking a chosen course was going to be my life, to end up where I started in the beginning, these questions highlight my current existence.
Leading me to dreams and more dreams
I am a visioneer, and my dreaming mind has taken me far and wide recently.
From Australia to study Naturopathy
to Europe teaching english
Toronto or back to San Francisco ( I heart SF)
Wait, I love Chicago too
maybe I should study Ayurvedic medicine and Yoga in India?
A little Thai massage in Thailand????
More recently wanting to volunteer in Costa Rica and Peru
I want to do all of it
NOW

patience, I kept telling myself
the answer will come

And what the answer has appeared as, is completely different than what I thought it would be.
It came as a surprise a few days ago.
I had thought I was going to be moving to NYC to start a job that I had received while on a weekend trip. This job is good, and by all logical propriety was a step I should take.
By American societal standards.
meaning
work to live, live to work.
NYC
A city that I lived in for 5 months last year, a place of excitement, energy, passion, action, determination, culture, culture, culture,
SUCCESS…..

In one of the greatest cities in the world, hands down.

First question to self

What is my vision of success?
Its definitely not working a job every day that pays the bills and keeps me going, maybe working harder and I can be in the middle upper class.
WOO HOO!

My vision of success is my level of happiness and being lead by my intuitive heart, essentially following my dreams.

Second question
Is this my dream, and will I be happy doing this?
I desire to know, without a doubt that I am always making the best choice for myself, not just what is dictated by others, or a success driven society.

The answer was

No, my dreams are much more unconventional

Traveling, writing, dancing, loving, laughing, living, being in the present and whatever it may bring.
Using the world as my school, learning tools that aren’t presented in a classroom setting, nor with a certificate behind my name. Building my life into a space supporting all of my creative endeavors and giving to all who surround me.

Hands on yo

So do I listen to logic, and what is deemed appropriate by a society in its own rigid work schedule?

have I ever ; )

as much as I would like to take this job, it wasn’t feeling right to me.

and these feelings are what I base my life around.

I am following my guidepost, and what life has presented is completely different than what I thought I would be doing.
Like I said, I try to plan, and life itself doesn’t always want to be planned, so I give up trying to dictate what is right, and instead ask to be guided and shown by this force that works through me.
This is the basis for my existence.

Dear Detroit,

Much LOVE to you

Adios

I will fill you in tomorrow with where I am, and what has already transpired.

Until then,

here is to listening to my heart.

xo,

Nicole

Water

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I am totally calling myself out as I sit here being the epitome of an American consumer, drinking a $3.00 plastic bottle of water, in a Starbucks, in midtown Manhattan.
While I love the hustle, energy and excitement that ensues in this metropolis, I laugh at myself, as I’m about to tell you why what I am drinking is not ideal.

WATER SOURCES

Water is currently the most precious resource on our planet. Our life itself stems from it. Our rivers, lakes and streams are carved and flowing as the earth’s own life-giving force that is one of our life forces.
We are absolutely reliant upon this resource as a race, without it, we would perish. With that being said, there are water shortages going on worldwide.
Through industry, it is becoming tainted, privatized and corporatized for monetary gain; polluted by waste, herbicides, pesticides and countless other toxins.

What are the best sources for our water?

We have Bottled water:

Pthalate is a chemical in plastic, that is shown to be an endocrine disrupter that is also adversely affecting children. This chemical is found in water in plastic bottles, that has leeched due to the bottles heating up.
Who knows what happens to those bottles on the way to that refreshingly cold cooler?

Not to mention how absurdly damaging the transportation, cost of manufacturing, consumption and waste of the 100 billion liters of this precious resource is on our environment.
1.5 million tons of plastics are being used per year, while much is recycled, there is still tons taken to landfills.
Did you know that Nestle has been pumping half a million gallons a day out of Michigan’s lakes and streams for their product “Ice Mountain“?
No, it’s not coming from that snow capped mountain.

This saddens me because I treasure Michigan’s lakes and streams. Albeit some being polluted, they are still our pride and joy, providing flourishing ecosystems and a source of natural beauty.

With this being stated, what are the smartest and most sustainable options for drinking?

Home water filtration systems. This includes the shower, as the skin is the largest organ in the body and extremely permeable.
Reverse Osmosis is said to be a good filtration system, although demineralizing, it removes the yuck from tap water including fluoride. Remineralizing can be done with Iodized sea salt, there are also mineralizing solutions for ionized water.

The ideal would be an alkalizing system. If you do have a filtration system, filling up before leaving the house in glass or stainless steel bottles makes the choice more sustainable and cost-effective. When I was living in Hawaii our water system was a rainwater catchment and filtration system. I found this to be brilliant, it tasted as sweet as the lands, leaving a taste of the clouds on the tongue.

Spring water is said to be the most beneficial source for water, containing antioxidants and minerals. There are natural springs all over, it just takes some researching. I have a friend who fills up 5 gallon jugs at a spring near NYC when living there. Of course, be cautionary of contaminants if going to a spring and filter accordingly.

Water Crystals

Studies and photos by Dr. Masaru Emoto have stated that water has a crystalline structure, like snowflakes. Thoughts, words, emotions and intentions when emitted into the water change the structure of the crystal. Water has a consciousness and absorbs what surrounds it. When water comes from a more pure source, like springs or aquifers it has a higher effect on the body, with more absorption.

Our bodies are composed of 70% water. I like to give my body the purest, most positive, cleanest form of this life-sustaining force.

Allowing me to naturally be in that state of mind and being.

Which is why I bless my water with love, light and Reiki.

Water for thought, and life…how is your water intake today?

xo

Nicole