How to be the Most Organized Person in the World

Heather (yesterday's guest blogger) suggested I check out this graphic. I think it's a great summary of things to do to be organized!

How To Be the Most Organized Person in the World infographic by voltiercreative.

Digital Organization Advice from a Web Developer

I am very lucky to have amazing friends in such a variety of fields! This week's guest blog is from my dear friend Heather. Her degree is in New Media Interactive Development and she currently works as a Front End Marketing Engineer. As you can imagine her digital world runs like clockwork due to her extensive online presence. Today we get a glimpse into her world! P.S. Check out her website work here.--Hey everyone!  Mae is a great friend of mine and watching her go through this cleanse is extremely motivational and inspiring.  I am honored to be writing a guest post and I hope you find it helpful.  I am a Front End Marketing Engineer (or simply speaking a web developer) and therefore I spend most of my time on a computer. The only way I stay sane is to organize everything.  My equipment includes a home laptop, work laptop, iPad and iPhone.  I hope some of the technological tips and tricks I have picked up along the way can help you.File Back UpYour first step should be to back up all of your files.  Do this often because nothing is worse than losing files because your computer crashed - especially if you are in school or trying to get work done.  Second, ensure all of your software is up to date.  I know updating can be a nuisance but it’s there to make sure everything is running smoothly and efficiently.File OrganizationCleaning up your digital life is very similar to cleaning a room.  You should go through everything, determine what you don’t need or use anymore and get rid of it.  Uninstall old programs you haven’t used in a while.  If you don’t use something but want to keep it for the future (for documentation or reference) move it to an external hard drive. You can reach them but they won’t slow down your computer.  I tend to do this with my movies and TV Shows (because those are definitely something I hoard) that take up a lot of valuable space.  Pictures also take up a lot of space. I suggest to place the photos into folders and organize them (I usually name them by event) and put them on a hard drive as well.Be specific with the rest of your files (names and folders).  Do not keep folders on your desktop if you can help it because they slow down the computer since they are stored in working memory rather than on the hard drive.   You can start by creating categories in the “Documents” folder or create a whole new folder.  The best example I can give is for my college work. I had an RIT folder that contained sub-folders for each year I was at school. Within each sub-folder there are folders for each quarter and folders for the classes that I took that quarter.  You want to be able to find files easily and fast and the only way to do that is by being specific.  I can’t tell you how many times I think I’m going to remember something and then when I actually need it I have no idea where I put it.Email OrganizationEmail can get pretty messy and disorganized.  I use Gmail and the labels tool can be your best friend.  I have labels for so many categories that my inbox looks like a Crayola box.  An example is a bills label with nested labels for each kind of bill under that.  If you haven’t done so you should change to paperless statements for any accounts you have so that you can reduce your carbon footprint and be environmentally friendly (Note from Mae: So excited she mentioned this!).  I also like paperless statements because I can search my inbox by my labels and everything is right there. I don’t have to sift through a bunch of paper.  When creating labels use the filter  “@example.com”. Do not use the first part of the address because most companies have the same domain name and use different identifiers for the various emails they send out.  Also, make sure you have your contacts up to date so that emails don’t go to spam unnecessarily.My last piece of advice is for those that use several devices often. You should utilize programs that let you access information from all computers and mobile devices.  I love Evernote. I have a bunch of notes from work, lists and other things that my Type A personality needs.  I also use Google Documents which allow you to share files, spreadsheets and media with other people so collaboration is easy.  I know Mae mentioned Mint in an earlier post. It is a wonderful tool that organizes finances as well as your online banking.I hope that some of my tips help you get a little more organized.  I’m excited to see where the rest of Mae’s journey leads and I hope that it has inspired you to better yourselves as much as it has inspired me.  Good luck!

Step Away From the Computer

Oh digital clutter, how you irk me - incessant emails, duplicate pictures from multiple camera dumps, old stories, college essays, multiple versions of resumes, financial spreadsheets and goal logs cluttering up my digital space and thus my mind (and this is just my laptop!).I am having extreme resistance to lugging out the 2 old desktop computers from my spare bedroom, setting them up and diving in to moving/organizing files to my external hard-drive. I just do not want to do it. I would much rather be outside, talking to my mentor, brainstorming my newest writing idea or (like today) sitting on the floor at work creating environmental posters. I love connecting with people and creating things, organizing not so much.To motivate myself to declutter the digital mess that is my current life I will need to focus on things I enjoy doing - connecting and creating. How can I link the digital clutter to my joys?

• Learning to use gmail filters and folders will allow me to read the most important emails from my most important connections first (leaving the junk mail and less important emails to be automatically filed into another folder to be looked at later or ignored)
• Organizing my digital photos will allow me to create beautiful albums (either online or in print) thus unleashing my creativity
• Re-reading and organizing my environmental essays and creative writing will keep me inspired to continue writing :)
• Decluttering digital space will allow me to get rid of  two desktop computers which frees up space (physical space but also emotional space because one of the computers is an ex-boyfriends that I need to return). I'm not dating during my 20-week Vibrant Life Cleanse but who couldn't use some freed up mental space for attracting positive energy :)

Brainstorming the connection between the task (declutter digital world) and my goals (connection, creation, less physical clutter) has helped me immensely. I feel ready to complete the task and have scheduled a block of time this weekend to do it. Hooray!  

Week 7: Managing Digital Clutter

Before we dive in to this week's topic I want to take a moment and celebrate last week's achievements!! I completely overhauled my closet for spring. My favorite shirts are now front and center and I have a box of shoes I'm donating tomorrow. My prom dress is tucked away in the back of my car ready for consignment and I cleared out an entire tall bookshelf of knickknacks, random electronics and old notes.I took down old wall hangings and put up three new teal framed items. One frame holds a dear friend's artwork, one frame holds pictures of me and friends, and one is a mirror that I hung to reflect more light. All three are gorgeous and make me very happy!Now on to Managing Digital Clutter (gah). I do not enjoy spending time on a computer moving files around. It frustrates me and takes forever (I realize that if I organized it to begin with this wouldn't be a problem but hindsight is 20/20). I have been dreading this week and what do you know it still arrived.This week my goals are:

• Transfer files from two unused desktop computers to external hard-drive (I have been putting this off for almost 2 years)
• Organize digital pictures (Also procrastinated this task for years)
• Create email filing system (Things are starting to get lost in the email vortex...)

I know I will feel much better once these tasks are accomplished and I can get rid of the computer clutter. Wish me luck and leave a comment below if you have any advice for me!

First Sustainable Happy Life Video!

Hello All,Today was a beautiful day - sunny skies, vegetable garden planning, my roommate walking her cats in the backyard (can anyone say cats in trees?)... So I decided to bust out my camera and my newly purchased tripod and take some video. I will begin sending out weekly video blogs as part of a newsletter (you can sign up here to join the fun!).Here is a brief snippet from the day -after I figured out how to focus the camera and couldn't stop saying things that rhymed :)[wpvideo MFntNRpt]I am gathering environmental and happiness questions to answer for these videos so feel free to leave your questions in the comment area of this post or reach out to me at sustainablehappylife@gmail.com.Have a great day!

Decluttering Inspiration

Decluttering is tough work, so this post is dedicated to inspiring action!One of the blogs I follow consistently (for the past 2 years) is Leo Babauta's Zen Habits. If I feel stressed this blog is where I go to breathe. He has done so many amazing things in his life - quit smoking, became a runner, wrote a novel, paid off all his debt and so much more. I love that his sites are mnmlist and so easy to read. I recently stumbled on a quote from him on a decluttering website.

“There is an empty room, and you. And you are enough. You are all that’s needed in this room, you fill it with your light and the miracle of your being, and you now realize: the things you used to express yourself, those were just a crutch. You need none of it. You are enough.” – Leo Babauta

This reminds me that it is unnecessary for me to worry about what physical objects I have in my life. They do not define me. I am my own person and I am enough and so are you!I also found Project 333 today! This project asks you to live with only 33 articles of clothing/jewelry (not including clothes you sleep in or go to the gym in) for 3 months. At the end of the 3 months you swap out your articles for 33 other items. A story from a woman who recently completed this project for the first time indicated she feels much lighter and getting ready for her day is much easier with fewer choices.Tomorrow is a big day folks - declutter mania + picking 33 personal items for the next 3 months!

Decluttering Vs. Emotions

Letting go of physical items can be surprisingly difficult (maybe that's why I've been putting it off for so long). Today I decided to declutter my closet. I knew there were at least 3 pairs of shoes, several shirts and two pairs of pants that could easily go, so I set my intention, turned on some empowering music and opened the closet door. I began sorting through each item and began feeling emotions and memories bubble up.Every time I picked up one of the items I thought would be easy to donate I began thinking the following statements:"I might wear this again.""This reminds me of that time when..""What if I need this one day?""I don't want to spend money to replace this.""Will I regret letting this item go?"I was literally paralyzed with these thoughts. I began reminding myself that I rarely wore the items and that most of them either weren't my style anymore or they didn't fit properly. I was able to start a small pile of clothes I am willing to part with, but soon after the pile was created my emotions and fears of letting things go resurfaced. I was ancy and uncomfortable but added a couple more things to the pile.Hunger kicked in and I had to walk away from the clutter. I ate a filling meal, took a long hot chamomile and lavendar bath and read a travel magazine about eco-retreats and adventures. Until next time clutter.P.S. I have to give a huge shoutout to Enfleurage in NYC. Last weekend I attended a Natural Makeup workshop and picked up a fragrance free lotion, geranium essential oil and lavendar essential oil. Tonight I mixed a few drops of each into the lotion and used it for the first time. I'm in love. It is the best lotion I have ever used (and I've tried a variety because I have sensitive, acne-prone skin).

Ted Talk: Graham Hill - Less Stuff, More Happiness

Graham Hill is the founder of Treehugger.com. He discusses living with minimal belongings to become happier, save money and improve the environment. I agree with his message whole heartedly.[ted id=1238]Can you see the connection between living with less and improving your happiness?

Theme 2: Letting Go

The past 5 weeks have been a whirlwind of knowledge and action around Self Love. Building a foundation of healthy eating, yoga practice, spirituality and pampering myself has been fantastic for my soul. It has also given me space to feel any resistance that popped up from changing my lifestyle.Now it is time for the Letting Go phase of the Vibrant Life Cleanse. Over the next five weeks I will focus on removing physical, emotional and digital clutter as well as letting go of expectations of others. All of this will be difficult but I am ready to release the old and embrace the new!This week's focus is "Letting Go of Outer Chaos (Physical Clutter)". Physical clutter represents unfinished tasks, hanging on to the past and a general feeling of disarray. Moving forward and manifesting positive energy is more difficult in a space brimming with the unnecessary.

"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak."- Hans Hoffman

Goals for this week:

• Donate gently used business clothes to local Women's Fund (They help women get back on their feet and into the workforce)
• Donate or consign my prom dress (It's a huge white gown that takes up half my spare bedroom)
• Declutter paper and books (I love learning so I tend to collect books and papers ... everywhere)
• Read book of the week: Live More, Want Less by Mary Carlomagno

Do you have any decluttering experiences that shifted your energy? Leave a comment below!

Vibrant Life Retreat - NYC Version

Hi All!This post is going to be short and perhaps a bit sporadic because I just returned from the most random NYC trip ever!!! I think the whole trip was healing and therefore a huge form of pampering myself. Great finale for this week's theme!My friend and I hopped in the car and traveled 5 hours to New York City this weekend even though the conference we were planning to attend no longer had tickets available. We sent a Couchsurfing request out, signed up for two random workshops in the city, threw random items in a suitcase and hopped in the car.The first thing we did when we arrived was BUY THE CAMERA I'VE WANTED FOR YEARS!!!!! Mainly because one of the workshops I signed up for the next day was a Digital Photography 101 course at a Farmer's Market in Manhattan!Earlier in the day I had received a message from Laura (an amazing woman I met in my online program) that she was going to be in NYC for a dance conference. So the second thing we did was meet her (first live meeting!) and her amazing world traveling friends for the best pizza I've ever had. They kindly offered us a place to stay for the night after the Couchsurfing request fell through. After watching a lively, heart felt African band (Sing Sing Rhythm) we went back to her friends place. He is a Photojournalist and his entire apartment is filled with inspiring, full of heart photos as well as travel books.Saturday we woke early and attended a Natural Makeup Workshop. Yay essential oils! Later in the afternoon I learned how to use my new camera and took pictures of the vibrant colors, people and patterns at the Farmer's Market!I am so refreshed and excited for life after spending the weekend talking, traveling and brainstorming with my friend Irene <3

Guest Blog: Benefits of a Daily Routine

My wonderful friend Nadya is one of the most put together women I have ever met. I admire her for always having a smile on her face and loving  herself unconditionally. Nadya graciously wrote this week's guest blog and I feel so lucky to be let in on one of her secrets of success in her every day life - Routine!<3 Mae---Hi Everyone!My name is Nadya, and I consider Mae one of the best friends I’ve ever had. I’m so proud of her for starting this blog, and it is nothing but my pleasure to be a guest writer!While looking through her topics for each week, this one really stood out to me. Self love and pampering can mean a lot of things – but I’d really like to take it down to the simplest form out there.My entire life my mother always told me to take care of myself first. No matter what- in any situation - there is no exception to this rule! Not ever. As I’ve grown to the ripe age of 20 (hey – I’m almost 21!) this philosophy has translated into the best advice that I give my peers: you cannot, and will not be able, to love and accept a companion until you can love and accept yourself. I’m sure you've heard similar outlooks on life that might sound like “you cant fix others until you can fix yourself” or “you can’t be happy with someone until you can be happy by yourself.” Any of these will do. I believe that most of the relationships in the world fail because people cannot connect with themselves on the level that they are trying to connect with others. This idea can be applied to romantic relationships, families, and sometimes even our own nation.This instilment to always put myself first, so to speak, might have come across as selfish in some instances, but I’ve never once regretted making a decision for the sake of my own happiness. Let me give you an example:I don’t like sleepovers. Sure, being girly and hanging out painting nails and watching movies is a great time, but sacrificing the wonderful feeling of waking up in my own bed in my own home and drinking my own coffee and eating my own food and using my own bathroom? Not worth it! I was that little girl who always called her mom at bedtime at a friend’s house because I changed my mind about our slumber party. Most college students would happily stay at a friend’s house if they could drink all night long, but I’d much rather be sober and drive myself home at the end of the night. This might come off as anti-social, but to me, its just part of my routine.Ah, routines. Here’s where we get to the punch line. Routines are the simplest way to pamper yourself and show yourself love every day. Sure, spontaneity is always a kick of adrenaline, but when it comes to living a functioning lifestyle, routines are where it’s at. If you watch any version of Super Nanny on television today, the first change implemented in a disruptive household is always a routine. If you feel that your life is out of control and you’re always forgetting or missing something, a routine will put you at ease. It might seem complicated at first to try and schedule certain parts of your day, but it actually is a form of simplifying your lifestyle.If you’re interested in simplifying your life, check out the Internet, your local bookstore, and keep reading Sustainable Happy Life!And watch this video about  how it’s okay to want to spend some time by yourself.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=c0KYU2j0TM4

Gabrielle Bernstein - How to meditate

I stumbled upon this simple meditation technique and wanted to share it with you. It is a great way to get in touch with your body on a daily basis! I have opened up to the idea of listening to my body and asking what it needs (Am I thirsty? In pain? Are my muscles tight? Is my skin dry?) This has turned into a new way of pampering myself! So I embrace new ways of listening to my body and in this video Gabrielle instructs us to connect to our pulse.http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=h0y1Lu0L8nU#!

Ted Talk - Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off

Stefan Sagmeister is a NYC designer who closes his design shop for an entire year every seven years. He does this to reconnect with his design passion, think about future designs and spend time enjoying life. The ideas generated during this year-long sabbatical proliferate into the next 7 years of his business. One year of reconnecting with himself and his vision creates enough energy, conceptions and spark in him to create even better design work throughout the following years.I chose this Ted Talk for my pampering week because I love to take time off to travel. I believe it opens up a new world of possibilities and thought processes that simply do not exist without meeting new people from different areas throughout the world. Currently I have only traveled within the U.S. but I hope to break that cycle this year!Taking time off to reconnect with your passions is beneficial to your every day life. A sense of satisfaction is gained from indulging in activities that bring you great joy. This connection and happiness overflows into your work and home life and can awaken others around you to the possibility of more happiness in their own life.Since I've started my 20-week Vibrant Life Cleanse I have taken time off from dating, drinking and Facebook. I have dedicated a significant amount of my time to my current passion of writing and implementing great ideas I have learned throughout my life. This has brought me great joy and I have gotten several comments from my family and co-workers about the positive change they've seen in me. I am more light-hearted, content and I complete tasks more efficiently because I have taken time off from three things that used to take a significant amount of my time.Stefan speaks of taking a whole year off but I believe if you can find your own way of taking time off it ban be just as beneficial.[ted id=649]Have you taken time off lately?

"100 Ways to Nurture Yourself" by Demanding Joy - A Long Lost Favorite

Throughout the first 5 weeks of my Vibrant Life Cleanse I have mentioned serendipitous moments - people and things presenting themselves - basically coming out of the woodwork at the exact moment I need them. Well today was another one of those moments - a bit less extravagant than other times but still a perfect manifestation.I rarely, if ever, pay attention to my Favorites- the links I marked on my browser years ago to "read later". I am typically using the internet to post blogs, connect with my b-school women and complete b-school homework. I don't have time to read any unscheduled extras, so the Favorites links are left abandoned and unread.Today my hand slipped while typing on my laptop and it literally clicked on and opened a Favorite link titled "100 Ways to Nurture Yourself". Well because it was open and it related so perfectly to this weeks theme (and lately I've just been going along with what is presented to me) - I read the list in its entirety.I decided to choose five tips to implement in my life within the month:

• #9 - Create something (Give myself the space to be artistic)
• #57 - Declutter (Look for future postings dedicated to decluttering in the "Letting Go" portion of the Vibrant Life Cleanse)
• #80 - Go on a retreat
• #98 - Intentionally enjoy your journey
• #102 - Forget the word "should" (Ok, so her list is actually 103 items long - the more the merrier I say - especially for such a fantastic list!)

It also gave me time to reflect on things I already do for pure enjoyment:

• #3 - Use colored pens and pencils for no particular reason
• #5 - Take a hot bath
• #6 - Write in a journal
• #27 - Get out into nature
• #55 - Add color to your surroundings

I am very happy to have stumbled upon this list - one that I had been saving to read later. It reminds me of where I was a few years ago when I originally found this list. I did a whole lot of thinking about implementing better habits but not doing anything about it. Not even reading a list about it. I am delighted to be in a new, exciting place in my life journey in which I am allowing myself to take care of me instead of focusing all of my energy on other people. I am taking action and it feels awesome!

Self Love Week 5 - Pamper Yourself

This week is going to be filled with pampering, loving actions toward myself! This will include reading a book I want to read for fun – not knowledge, buying a fairly expensive camera I've wanted for over 4 years, and scheduling artistic time a couple hours a week.I  have recently signed up for several programs, groups and organizations inside and outside of work–including, but no limited to:

• Toastmasters - to improve my speaking and leadership skills
• B-School - to work on a side-business idea I have
• Natural Areas Academy - Workshops, field trips and volunteer work related to the natural world
• United Way Co-Chair - Selected at work to co-chair the annual United Way campaign
• Self Smarts - Coaching program at work
• TCWN Program Committee - Women's network that brings educational programs specific to women at work

These are programs I've wanted to be a part of for awhile or recently stumbled upon and fell in love with. Each one takes a significant amount of time, energy and dedication to participate. My time is split between b-school homework, reading a book a week for this blog, writing speeches for Toastmasters, driving an hour away to complete programs for the Natural Areas Academy, and meeting virtually with amazing women from across the world to discuss our business ideas. Add writing a book and trying to still have a social life and there's not much time left to just be me and enjoy my own company.This week I will schedule time into my busy life to think of nothing but the awesome activity I choose to do - whether that be a massage, reading for  pleasure, taking a walk around my favorite waterfall or just taking time to lotion my body on a regular basis. This time is crucial for my sanity and I need to ensure it is upheld.Goals

• Schedule a massage
• Read a book for sheer pleasure
• Plan and schedule 3 travel trips for this year
• Buy the Canon Camera I've wanted for over 4 years

The following quote reminds me to be proactive with my choices.

"A life of reaction is a life of slavery, intellectually and spiritually. One must fight for a life of action, not reaction."- Rita Mae Brown

The best way for me to live a life of action instead of reaction is to ensure I am not neglecting to have fun and take time to relax and recharge. Achieving my goals this week will help me to live fully in the moment of action I've chosen.

Nature and Spirituality

I often feel the connection to my higher power while I'm in nature. I find myself getting lost in sunsets, stars and leaves falling from trees. I feel connected to nature in a way that slows me down and I am able to remember the connection between all things. There is one location that invariably clears my mind and puts me into a meditative state.Walking toward the waterfall, warm coffee in hand, I notice the rhythm of my breath slow down and my shoulders drop from their usual tense position. My neck begins to loosen and I let go of the tension I hold in my forehead. I’m in a town about an hour away from home.  I've lived here before and walked to this spot many times in the past. No matter what season, the scene is perfect. Today the water is happily flowing under ice and over beautiful rock 165 ft tall. Most of the trees are bare with only a few pine reaching up and out over parts of the falls.I am alone this time. On a typical day I share this view with dog walkers and couples. I stand for 20 minutes taking in the sheer beauty and majestic nature of the falls. My mind clears and I feel refreshed and ready to take on the world. The sun peeks out from behind the grey clouds and I smile. There is something about the steadiness and consistency of this spot that speaks to me. Calmness washes over me and I am thankful for this moment.I walk away from the falls with a renewed sense of wonder and a fuller breath.

Receiving Opportunities

This week is both liberating and terrifying because the universe has handed me an insane amount of opportunity and people. I am loving every second of it but recently found myself in a state of overwhelm - awesome overwhelm - but really not knowing where to focus my energy. In the past I would let this drag me down into negativity and I wouldn't accomplish much. Now that I have a better connection to my higher power I am able to let go and release my worries. When I feel the state of overwhelm, I can meditate and put the problem in a bubble and let it float away. Because I am focused on the present moment I am able to receive opportunities presented to me.I recently attended the Society of Women Engineers Region E Conference in Delaware and I mentioned to a woman in the Generational Communication seminar that I've been looking for a mentor. I did not mention to her the reason I wanted a mentor and to be honest I'm not sure if I had a clear picture of what I needed from a mentor (now I know it is to clarify my goals and to receive advice from someone who has walked the path to meet similar goals). She had to leave the session early, but she slipped me a note that said "I would love to be your mentor." She quickly followed up with me via email and we set up our first call last week! The best part of this story is that after she emailed me I found her on LinkedIn and realized she is an award winning author and has recently created a documentary (both things that I want to do in my life!). I was so excited because it felt as if I was meant to meet this woman and learn from her. The whole experience seemed serendipitous.I also recently met several vibrant women that either own their own business or are in the process of starting a business that are taking the same online business program as me. We have weekly accountability calls to discuss our goals and progress with the program homework. After just two accountability phone calls with them I see the world in a different way. They are supportive, caring, fun and love life! I occasionally forget that there are other like-minded women in the world and it has been beyond lovely to connect with these ladies!I am so excited about all of the happy, loving energy I am receiving and I truly believe it is because I am open to receiving and I actively communicate my intentions, thoughts and worries to my higher power.

Ted Talk: Andy Puddicombe: All it takes is 10 mindful minutes

My quest for deeper spirituality has led me to often ponder meditation. Every time I do though I am daunted by thoughts of being unable to turn my mind off, unable to decide on a proper sitting position and wondering if I'm supposed to picture anything or focus on an image in my head.Andy Puddicombe is a mindfulness expert and in his Ted Talk discusses how meditation does not need to be done while sitting on the floor, burning incense. He insists that to discover calming changes in one's life, a person need only take 10 minutes out of their day to allow thoughts to come and go while observing them with a relaxed non-judgmental mind. His talk reassures me that as long as I take the time to meditate mindfully, there isn't necessarily a wrong way to do it.Andy also mentions the perception of meditation as "an aspirin for the mind" when in reality it can be a preventative practice. Meditation is a way to live a more peaceful existence and paves the way for the mind to handle even the extreme negatives of life.

"We can't change every little thing that happens to us in life, but we can change the way that we experience it."- Andy Puddicombe

[ted id=1640] Do you meditate? When did you start your practice? Do you have any tips to help beginners?

Week 4: Spirituality

I am delving into Spirituality this week in my Vibrant Life Cleanse.Spirituality to me is a connection with and trust in a higher power. I did not always have this trust and connection. For many years I shut out my higher power altogether. Only recently have I opened my heart enough to let my higher power back in and only recently have I been meeting the exact people that open doors in me so that I can grow.The more I trust in my higher power and let go of people, places and things the more I am able to deeply connect with myself.My goals for this week:

• Find a guided meditation that I can do 2 times per week
• Find one immensely spiritual person to interview
• Read Walden by Henry David Thoreau

This week's book, Walden, is an account of Thoreau's own exploration of his capabilities and his search for spiritual understanding. I picked up the book a couple weeks ago and it's been buried on my desk since then. I was having a very difficult time planning for this spirituality week until I received awesome encouragement from my roommate and members from my new Mastermind group. That and the fact that I found Walden on my desk (and discovered after Googling it that it was perfect for this week's theme) made me realize I am exactly where I need to be on my journey.A good reminder for me today is:

“You must live in the present, launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity in each moment. Fools stand on their island of opportunities and look toward another land. There is no other land; there is no other life but this.”- Henry David Thoreau

What does spirituality mean to you? Do you have a great book, blog or article you've recently read on spirituality?

West Virginia

I believe a large part of self identity is made up of where you came from, so I would like to share a bit about where I grew up. I just returned to New York from a trip to my hometown in West Virginia for my beautiful cousin's baby shower (she's due in May!).I lived on a windy back road in West Virginia. On a typical day, you could find me deep in the woods catching salamanders and hiking around a 20 foot waterfall near my home. I lived on the same road as most of my extended family on my mom's side - including my great grandma, grandma, grandpa, three aunts, two uncles and two cousins. I am an only child but it felt as if I had a brother and sister  because I grew up so close to my cousins (also both only children).My hometown is an old steel mill town - everyone used to work in the mill. Downtown main street runs through the mill - metal, pipes and rusty buildings appear as if they sprouted up around the road. The mill filed for bankruptcy when I was in high school and laid off thousands of workers (including my dad).  The city is a shadow of its former self because no other industry took the place of the mill. Gambling has taken hold of the city - filling every vacant building with glowing, dinging machines. If you want to grab a doughnut at the local bakery you may also step in the back and gamble if you'd like. Crime rates have increased and read recently that it is 1 of the top 10 poorest cities in the United States.Taking a trip in to see my family is bitter sweet. I love to visit with them but the atmosphere is quite depressing. It is as if no one in the town has hope for a brighter tomorrow. This atmosphere of sadness affected me as a teenager and still does when I return home. As a teenager my only goal was to leave the town and its foul mood behind me but of course when I left to attend college in New York it followed me. I had to learn to break the cycle of negativity which I believe I finally accomplished. The entire 20-week Vibrant Life Cleanse was born because of my recent breakthrough out of negativity.