Have You Ever Contemplated Moving to an Island & Leaving it all Behind?

Well, I have and not only did I contemplate it, but I did it for FIVE years. Pretty wild, I know. I heard it all the time, especially from my friends still living in major cities like LA and NYC.

"What? Are you crazy? Your going to live there?' 

"Your staying longer?'

"When are you planning to come back to the real world?"

I still remember them asking, while I chuckled to myself from the  "non " real part of the world. What was so bad about leaving it all behind? What was I really leaving behind? Pollution? Stress? Unrealistic social ideals? Traffic? Small Talk? A concrete jungle? Instead, I feel I had gained things I would have never be able to find in a city. Like a piece of mind for example. You have any idea how hard those are to come across these days with all the distractions a city has to offer! I also gained some fresh clean tropical air! I bet you didn't see that coming. Yes, my fake part of the world had some really fresh air. And to top it all off I gained TIME! This I must say was one of my most prized possession. I'll get into the importance of time in a later post. But,  to gain time in a literal sense is something priceless. I gained time to think, sit, breathe, cook my own meals, explore new hobbies, watch the sunset and rise.  I gained time for times' own sake. 

Moving to an Island and leaving it all behind was the biggest gain of my life. Now, I won't lie. It is not an easy thing to do and it does require some patience.  You see, Island people, because they have so much time-- they tend to take their time-- with everything. From New York City to Dominican Republic the time it took to get a cup of coffee in a coffee shop could drive someone mad. But 'Hey' in exchange for some fresh air-- its okay. You learn to deal. It was hot living on an island so who needs hot coffee anyway...

Most importantly, I must say living on an island really allowed me to stop, think, reflect and figure out what I wanted most from life. Something that I had a very hard time doing in a city. I feel like I was never really doing what I wanted to do.  Instead, I feel like I was always doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing (according to the media/masses). In a city your perception of reality is really distorted.  Your start believing that the things portrayed on television are real. You convince yourself  that success only means money and fame. That people are means to an end and that conversations should be a calculated exchange of boast and praise.

Done were the days where I identified with the social ideals of no one I really knew but myself. By moving to an island I decided to redefine the social constructs that had so indiscreetly hindered me and my true potential. I learned to believe in myself, value my own beliefs, appreciate time, nature and life.  And, with that,  I realized that I had my own definition of success and they had nothing to do with money or fame. 

If you could do anything you wanted to do & get paid for it, what would you do?

Do you ever fear that maybe you don't have what it takes to follow your dreams? Do you fear that you don't know where to start? Have you ever danced around with the idea that maybe you were destined to be doing something else but are not sure what that could be?

Its okay. I've been there too, many times. 

The place where you feel you don't belong, but you are at because you don't really know what other place you can be without risking it all. And, when I say all, I mean security-- your financial security to be exact. Lets face it. Most of us chain ourselves to our jobs because of money. We need money to live, in fact, we need money to do anything. Last fall I was in Europe and I kid you not, I needed money to use the public restroom in many places! I know, I couldn't believe it either. Imagine I was really desperate and had no change. What has this world come to! Seriously, I get it, money is unfortunately very important and we need it. Especially if you tend to have a small bladder like me!

Now ask yourself this question:

"If you could do anything you wanted to do and get paid for it, what would you do?"

I remember my yoga teacher once upon a time asked us this question prior to a class and told us to meditate on our answer throughout the class. Back then I was working an 8 to 3 job with a ocean front view on a island in the Caribbean, not that bad if you asked me. However, it was not where my mind was wandering to when she asked the question. "If I could do anything I want and get paid to do it, what would I do? What would I dooooooo.......?" I thought as I straightened out my warrior pose and gazed out into the abyss just beyond my hand. 

In my head I started listing things that I really enjoyed doing...Like drinking wine for example. "No no no! Come on, be serious." I told myself. So then I thought, well I really love the beach and I like to sit in silence, listen to the waves and meditate. I also like to have deep conversations about the meaning of life. I like to be healthy and research new wellness approaches. I like to share my findings and give advice. I also like to share my point of view, sometimes whether you ask for it or not. So "How could I make a living from sun gazing, health seeking and expert advice?" I thought.

Then it occurred to me, to make a living off the things you like is authentic and real-- people seek out authenticity. They seek out real experiences that make them come alive. I realized that the things I loved to do were the things that made me feel most alive. Therefore, if I could share those things with others and inspire them to do the same, then that would be the job for me. 

Its funny really that my idea to break away from for the corporate paradigm began like this. However, it goes to show you that if you put your mind to it, anything is possible and not only is it possible, but it is attainable! If you truly believe in your heart that you could and should be doing something better then you are today-- find a way to do it! Life is short, make your presence felt, be different and be brave. Ask yourself; What are you good at? What do you love? What about what you love can you share with others? Why would they love it? How can you make the things you love your business and way of life. Be brave, you will be surprised at what you can attain!

What is a Wellness Gypsy?

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Well, to start,  it is what it sounds like— A gypSea of all things wellness.

I believe that Wellness is a very personal discovery that demands much trial and error on many different things, both on a physical level as well as on an emotional and spiritual level. 

In today’s modern world of information we come across many new trends, ideas, theories, inventions, diets, therapies, exercises and/or ways of living that we sometimes find ourselves lost. At least, that was my experience when I started my wellness journey. I wasn't sure if I preferred yoga or Pilates or if I wanted to juice or be vegan. I dabbled with hundreds of diets, practices and ways of living until I realized I was indeed a Gypsy. A Wellness gypsy a always trying something new and exploring new experiences. Being lost for me was the best place to start because it allowed me to open my heart, mind and soul to all things without judgement. 

When you are lost you ask important questions, you allow yourself to be humble and curious of what will come next. Therefore, I invite you all to be Wellness Gypsies too. Be lost in your wellness search and try many things. Because what wellness means to one person could mean something completely different to someone else. It could even change for you throughout different times in your life.  It is dependent on your age, your goals, your needs, your strengths, your beliefs and your desires.  Wellness is relative and within its relativity it requires constant inner reflection of who we are and want to become. It requires a deep desire to be better than you were yesterday. 

Therefore, as I share my own personal wellness experience and journey, I hope it inspires you to do the same. Don't worry of where you are or what you know or don't know -- just be a Gypsy when it comes to wellness and you will soon discover the wellness within you!