This week, my mind has been buzzing with ideas, making it hard to choose just one topic to share with you. I'm currently working on several pieces that still need work to be ready for publication.
In the meantime, I’ve offered practical advice on finding joy and cultivating gratitude, so I decided to share with you 10 things I’m loving right now! (In no particular order)
I have so much to be grateful for and countless sources of joy. I hope that some of these will inspire you as well. (I have no affiliations with the products mentioned.)
1. REAL MUSHROOMS
I have given up caffeine, so I will no longer have my morning iced coffee. It is too dehydrating, and I am already a high-energy person. So, I switched to drinking mushrooms mixed with cacao, homemade almond milk, and honey. I have used mushroom powders from Real Mushrooms, a Canadian company, for several years. They taste delicious and are of high quality. I mix four kinds: chaga, reishi, cordyceps, and lion’s mane. (They sell a mix of mushroom chocolate, but it has turkey tail mushrooms in it, and I noticed some allergy symptoms from that variety - so I mix my own.) I feel calm, and my energy is more stable and sustained throughout the day. There are many health benefits - from antioxidants, immune support, liver detox, and more! Visit their website and blog to learn more.
2. SPIKE the BUNNY
Our neighbor recently rescued a male bunny, so he now lives across the street. We've cared for him while they travel, and I couldn't resist creating this portrait. Many are creating imagery with AI, but I enjoy creating my images in my studio more. My friend Elizabeth, a talented writer, actor, and director, posed for me with Spike. Having a friend and a muse all in one is the best. Spike is incredibly sweet and handsome; he loves connecting with people. This was his first modeling job, and I paid him in blueberries. I am actively looking for people who want to pose with their pets - but in atypical ways.
Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. /Anatole France/
3. BLUE BOTTLE LOVE
I've been delving into the magic of water, which led me to a fascinating class on hydration and structuring water. During my research, I discovered an excellent company in Maui and purchased a beautiful Italian cobalt blue glass bottle. This bottle is perfect for making blue solar water. Fill it with filtered water and place it in the sun for 30-60 minutes. Afterward, I enhance my water's vibrational energy by imprinting it with love, gratitude, and positive affirmations. The company’s tagline is BLUE LOVE UNITES EVERYONE.
Water is life’s matter and matrix, mother and medium. There is no life without water. /Albert Szent-Györgyi/
4. BEACH WALKS with COCO
My dog Coco wakes me up at 5 a.m. every day ( oh JOY!), and we head out for a morning walk on the beach. She loves it so much, and it brings us both joy! This ritual is part of my grounding practice, allowing me to connect with nature and even jump into the ocean several days a week. Plus, the sunrise light helps balance circadian rhythms and starts the day on a harmonious note.
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks. /John Muir/
5. BOOKS
Half of my books are digital, and half are hard copies. These three are currently on my nightstand. Three of my favorite topics are light, imagination, and water. One book I highly recommend is "You’re Not Sick; You’re Thirsty" by Dr. Batmanghelidj. Published in 2003, this book should be mandatory reading. You may have already come across it. It emphasizes that 99% of the molecules in our bodies are water molecules, and most people are dehydrated. If you want to heal and live a healthy life, read this book. Learning is my JOY!
A room without books is like a body without a soul. /Marcus Tullius Cicero/
6. HEATED EYE MASK
Whether you have dry eyes or not, giving your eyes a break and using a heated eye mask feels so good. I do it every morning and night, along with red light therapy.
7. STILLNESS
I always look forward to my meditation sessions. I prefer to sit on two meditation cushions to support my long legs and make myself comfortable. I stack two buckwheat cushions for this purpose. I often use meditation music from YouTube to help quiet my mind and ease into stillness.
The earth has music for those who listen. /William Shakespeare/
8. PLUMERIAS
Plumeria is my favorite floral scent. There are many varieties of plumerias in Hawai’i. Our front yard Plumeria tree blooms from April through about December. The beauty of nature is the best! I can always find my joy in nature.
9. MY CLIENTS
I love photography because it allows me to meet and connect with many people. I run two main businesses. The first is Tracy Wright Corvo Photography, where I primarily work with individuals for branding needs and corporate clients for headshots and location portraits. The second is Soul Light Experiences. I have an experience called SOUL LIGHT PORTRAITS, where I take clients on a transformational journey into their soul energy to help them discover their inner essence.
I genuinely enjoy meeting new people and sharing stories and information. This week, one of my clients, who grew up in India, taught me about some beautiful healing practices and reminded me to take my daily turmeric!
A portrait is not made in the camera but on either side of it. /Edward Steichen/
10. SUCCULENTS
Why are succulents so appealing? I find them adorable and easy to grow. A friend of mine made me this succulent garden in an old bird bath. Today was rainy, so I couldn’t get the best photos, but I love my ZEN-JEN garden.
I hope you enjoyed this simple post and feel inspired to reflect on what brings you joy. You can always elevate your vibe with gratitude. We'll delve into a more profound topic next week, but sometimes, it's nice to lighten up a bit!
What you focus on magnifies. /Beca Lewis/
So why not focus on joy?
I LOVE your messages. They're a break - even for a few minutes - that ground me.
Here I am writing everything down. I used to be sooooo good about water. Getting back to it now! So proud of you!!!