Opening A Bigger Door Can be Risky, but Well Worth It

Florence, Italy

I talk about experience as the physical space you allow yourself to be in. In order to be fully aware and utilize the meaning of experience, you have to be present. This could be in theater or film if you are an actor, the movement of dance, or the creativity in learning a new form of art. Whatever physical means to you, it is the space, the place, the movement and the energy that is built from doing something or being somewhere different, new and most importantly challenging. You cannot forget to remember your inner purpose and not to approach it from the ego, otherwise you will never fully experience what it is meant to be for you. Where you go, the people you meet, the things you do, help you formulate knowledge about the life that is already within you. This can then help you to connect to a more diverse world, and is a key component for human development, while allowing you to live with purpose and be more productive. In order to connect on this level, you must first let go of things that don't serve you. This past year, I had the fortunate opportunity to look a bit deeper into the people in my life, the activities I fill my days with, the work I do, and the place I live. I had to let go both physically and mentally, and challenge myself to be more open for new things to emerge.

For me, when I travel I discover a new sense of purpose and being. I've learned to break out of normal thought patterns and learn to let go in order to simply just be there. This sense of openness from letting go allows me to be daring in my decisions and less judgemental in my approach. I then am able to leave with a profound happiness to head home and continue on with life. The physicality of a place is to open new doors in new places, yet continue to focus on the bigger goal. Embrace change as if it were guiding you onto a new path, and always take the risk. As much as I am appreciating the stillness, I cannot wait until the day when I get to travel again.

When you travel, you suddenly step outside of a routine and get to see yourself in a different way. You also get inspired again, and remember all the things that make you, you. Every day is another moment of life that you made possible with your curiosity. Similar to art, you are the creator of your magnificent, whole being. You are the one who decides what beauty and truth mean. People in your life then get to enjoy those things about you because you bring them new perspective too. Artists give us something to wonder about without worrying about criticism or judgement. They let go of what society deems normal, of ego and possibly even fear. It's limitless, pure and powerful when you can let go and just be. When you begin to be open to new things, you become open to resilience, protection, connection, support and visibility.

The place you call home, or city you choose to live can also be an example of how to learn from a physical being. I have come to the realization that home is in your heart. It is who you are as an individual, and what you choose to let in to your space. So when looking at the physical place you live, be sure to create something beautiful from who you choose to be in that space. I have lived in three major cities, and am about to move to a fourth, and most likely a fifth. The only thing that is scary about that is the effort I have to put in to finding some comfort of a living space. Everything else is just thrilling to me.

In this book How To Love, Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh has a wonderful way of describing this place inside of you.

Be beautiful. Be Yourself. If you can accept your body, then you have a chance to see your body as your home. You can rest in your body, settle in, relax, and feel joy and ease. If you don't accept your body and your mind, you can't be at home with yourself. You have to accept yourself as you are. This is a very important practice. As you practice building a home in yourself, you become more and more beautiful.