Well, Joel and I are going to Utah on Wednesday for a week and a half. We are both really excited because we’ve wanted to go to Utah for years – specifically, mountain biking in Moab. While both of us have always liked mountain biking, it was me who really dreamed of Moab because of a picture I found in a magazine.

It All Began With A Picture
It was about 8 years ago and I don’t even remember what magazine it came from. All I remember is seeing about 3 people mountain biking on these amazing red rock trails with outrageous canyon views in layers of reds, oranges and browns – colors I don’t see much in New England. The mountain bikers appeared to be traveling along a ledge that was just big enough for biking or walking – probably no good if you have vertigo or hate heights — but it got me dreaming.

Part of The Inspiration
You may remember the posts I did on Carol Tuttle, Master Energy Therapist, Author and Spiritual Teacher. Well, she’s teaching her last ever boot camp in Sandy, Utah – just outside of Salt Lake City. After speaking with Carol, I was inspired by her – how she overcame her struggles with bulimia, depression and financial concerns and created a successful business helping others heal. I feel like I’m on a quest this year – to learn as much as I can and bring more solutions to my clients.

Emotional Freedom Technique Successes Piqued My Interest
I’ve been experimenting with the Emotional Freedom Technique since Carol talked about it as a way to clear core issues that keep us stuck. The success I’ve had with myself and my clients got me curious – I wanted to learn more. After talking to Joel, we decided to use this opportunity to go on vacation, which we have not done yet this year. The more we talked about it, the more excited we got. Sandy, Utah is right outside of Salt Lake City and only 4 hours from Moab – how cool is that?

Moab, Here We Come!
Joel and I are planning to head to Moab after my seminar with Carol. So far, we’ve read a lot about the area and are planning to visit Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. While in Canyonlands, I really want to see Great Gallery, where there are life-sized rock art figures. Our plans include hiking, a 4×4 trip (in honor of my sister and her husband who love jeeping and would kill us if we missed it!), whitewater rafting and of course, mountain biking.

Now I’m A Beliver
It’s funny, how dreams and visions work. I never believed in them before a few years ago – thinking what I truly wanted was impossible or who was I to want that dream. Then I did an experiment with writing my vision and was amazed at how the details just took care of themselves. Now I realize that if there is something that’s really important to me, I can focus on that thing and bring it into my life. We all have the power to do this — but sometimes, we get stuck focusing on the things we DON’T want. Once this habit changes, life changes along with it. Not that it’s easy in the beginning, but with practice, life really takes a new direction.

A Simpler Life
These days, it’s not about what I want to “have,” it’s a whole new ballgame. These days, I live a much simpler life – smaller house, less stuff – but somehow, it’s richer. Instead of taking business trips and going to business conferences where I put on my suits (and pantyhose – yuck!), pass out business cards and lose sleep while trying to keep up with the office – I can truly relax. On these “business” trips, I can be myself – with my longer hair, my casual clothes and ME, with no armor, no “corporate role.” Going to these events and trainings, I get to spend time learning what makes my heart sing – discovering ways I can walk my talk better – and how I can bring things back to my clients. It is so much more fulfilling.

Impossible Possible
If you’d have asked me years ago if this was possible, I’d have said maybe in 5 or 10 years or maybe not at all. I’d have been terrified, afraid of what could happen if I followed my dream. Even after I left my job, sold my house and all my stuff, changed my life around (thank heavens Joel was into it too!) — I was terrified for a good 6 months. What the hell was I doing? Why? Was I crazy?

And then it happened. I started to trust – realizing the sky didn’t actually fall. Realizing I didn’t have to feel guilty for not having a lot of work at first while I got my business off the ground. Realizing that coming to know myself – to BE myself – was worth more than my last company paid me. I felt life for the first time.

Getting Away From It All
Joel and I picked a little hideaway in the White Mountains of New Hampshire for our home – surrounded by 60-foot pines, where bears, deer, rabbits and turkeys roam through our yard as if we weren’t here. We take walks by the winding river or up a hill overlooking a 3-layered mountain with caramel-colored, horned Highland Bulls, eating hay and watching as we pass.

This life is farther from the surface and closer to the Earth. It is simpler, with more time to reflect. So this is the year I am going into myself and learning to allow, rather than to control. And I was SO good at controlling, so it takes constant awareness to remind myself that its okay not to know the outcome.

Another Dream Comes True
This trip to Utah makes me feel like it’s another dream come true – that magazine picture set firmly in my mind. I feel blessed to be able to have inspiration from people – like Carol Tuttle – and then from the land – in Moab. I will go with beginner’s eyes, since this is my first time – and return with beginner’s eyes for my already-familiar life. That’s what I love about traveling.

While there, I believe I will have access to the internet – so I can further be blessed by bringing you along with me. And if my spirit does not call me to write, I will find comfort in visiting my favorite blog-places, if only for a moment, sharing a virtual cup of tea at the end of the night.

If anyone has suggestions for where to go or what to do in Utah, please let me know!

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