Claire's Path to Prosperity: November 2007

Thursday, November 29, 2007

Freddy welcomes me to Rio

Freddy welcomes me to Rio, originally uploaded by cbern18.

After I landed in Rio after a long day of flying, it was wonderful to arrive at Freddy's apartment two blocks from the beach and two from the lagoon. I immediately made a bee-line to the beach, in such a hurry I forgot my sun block. I returned a few hours later and about 5 shades darker to meet Freddy for dinner. Freddy is a wonderful host. Not only does he live in the perfect location but he knows just where to eat. He gave me an excellent tour ending at a restaurant terrace where I think I had the best steak in my life. Not a bad way to start the trip!

Monday, November 26, 2007

Eat Pray Love Book Signing

Elizabeth Gilbert, originally uploaded by cbern18.

I met Elizabeth Gilbert at an Eat Pray Love book signing. Obviously I loved the book (or I wouldn't be making this journey), but the author was even better in person.

The Plan

Moved by Eat Pray Love, I decided to take a similar journey. In the book, Elizabeth Gilbert has 3 purposes: to experience pleasure by eating and learning Italian in Italy, to pray in India and to find balance between the two in Indonesia. She inspired me to clarify my intentions as well:

1. In South America, I intend to get back to nature by camping, learning about nature and, of course, lying on the beach.

2. In India, I intend to study yoga and meditation.

3. In Africa, I intend to volunteer with an organization that teaches about health or life skills through sports.

I´ll see if I can stick to the plan.

A few of my favorite things...

Quotes

Not all who wander are lost. - J.R.R. Tolkien
St. Theresa's Prayer: May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.
Unity in variety is the plan of the universe. -Vivekananda (1863 - 1902), India
From that hour Siddhartha ceased to fight against his destiny. There shone in his face the serenity of knowledge, of one who is no longer confronted with conflict of desires, who has found salvation, who is in harmony with the stream of events, with the stream of life, full of sympathy and compassion, surrendering himself to the stream, belonging to the unity of all things.
Like water which can clearly mirror the sky and the trees only so long as its surface is undisturbed, the mind can only reflect the true image of the Self when it is tranquil and wholly relaxed. - Indra Devi
Wise people are concerned only with what lies behind all these things. Just as bees fly from one blossom to another, looking only for the essence of each one, wise people look only for the essence of every person they meet. Wise people, who know and understand the soul, are indifferent to both pleasure and pain; they have risen above sensations. They are indifferent to the past and the future; they have risen above time. They are indifferent to danger; they have risen above fear. Wise people know that what is here, is also there; that what was, will also be. They see unity, not division. Katha Upanishad
Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown. - Claude Bernard
Dreams and goals are the coming attractions in your life. - Joseph Campbell
Laughter is an instant vacation. - Milton Berle
Your passion is waiting for your courage to catch up. - Marilyn Greist

Claire's Path to Prosperity