Could it be possible that taking time out to rest and reflect could actually enhance your productivity? In this episode, I explore the idea for myself -- with positive results!

Episode linksI recorded this episode at a place in Sonoma County, California called https://www.bishopsranch.org/ (The Bishop's Ranch). I love it for its tranquil views of wine country, lush hiking trails, and delicious food (especially the homemade granola).

My walk and talk episode was inspired by a French language learning podcast I follow calledhttps://www.francaisauthentique.com/category/marchez-avec-johan/ ( Français Authentique.) Merçi, Johan, pour l'idée!

Where do you like to rest and recharge? Let me know in the comments section!I love hearing from listeners, and I may feature your suggestion on an upcoming episode of Beautiful Baggage!

Also, if you enjoy my podcast, I love for you to give it a five-star review on https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beautiful-baggage/id1474430697 (Apple Podcasts) (and make sure you say what you enjoy about it). That will help others find it. Thank you!

The road to adventure is a two-way street. You need support along the way, and luckily there are countless businesses, nonprofits, and other organizations there to help you find your inspiration. Today's episode, the first of an occasional "gratitude series" is a shoutout to some of my favorites.

Further explorationHere are the links to the businesses mentioned in today's episode:

https://www.thrillist.com/venue/eat/san-francisco/restaurants/nook (Nook Cafe)

https://frenchkisslife.com/ (French Kiss Life)

https://www.odc.dance/odc-dance-commons (ODC Dance Commons)

https://dancemissiontheater.org/ (Dance Mission Theater)

https://linesballet.org/dance-center/classes/ (LINES Dance Center)

To this day, I’m still pinching myself over the fact that, in 2005, I had the great opportunity to work with Dr. Maya Angelou at her home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. But when I consider some of the ways I dreamed and set goals for my life just a few years earlier, I’m now convinced the opportunity didn’t arrive completely out of the blue.

Further readinghttps://allpoetry.com/poem/14326532-On-Aging-by-Maya-Angelou (On Aging), by Dr. Maya Angelou

https://www.oprah.com/omagazine/oprah-interviews-maya-angelou/all (Oprah interview) with Dr. Maya Angelou, prefaced by the article from the December 2000 issue of O

Happy 2020!

Do you have a picture in your mind's eye of what you want to accomplish this year — where you want to go, what you want to achieve, how how want to feel? Visualization can be a powerful tool, and despite my initial skepticism about vision boards, my experience is that, coupled with concerted action, they can and do work!

Guidance for creating a vision boardThere are lots of articles and videos online about how to create a vision board (or vision book, which is what I prefer):

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-scientific-reason-why_b_6392274 (This one) is a simple explanation of how and why vision boards work. I agree that there is really no right way to do a vision board. Be lighthearted about it, and enjoy the process!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iamZEW0x3dM (This video), by Jack Canfield, offers other useful vision boarding tips and insights.

https://www.designwizard.com/blog/how-to-create-an-inspiring-online-vision-board/ (This blog post,) on https://www.designwizard.com/ (Design Wizard), offers step-by-step instructions on how to create an online vision board. A great alternative to the old school method of cutting and gluing magazine images to poster board.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHyh0BXqJ0o (Here), three of my favorite celebrities — Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling — discuss the power of visualization. I'm not surprised at all that the interviewer said she had a picture of Oprah on her vision board!

We're headed into a big new decade, so why not dream big? This episode is about the power of asking questions that prod us toward new possibilities.

Further listeningWe'll be diving into this subject more in 2020, when I return from my holiday break. In the meantime, here are a couple of podcast episodes from one of my virtual mentors, Brooke Castillo, founder of The Life Coach School:

https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/253/

https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/244/

Experiences have the power to shape our lives for the better and inspire us in ways we never expected. That's why they make such great gifts.

This episode is designed to get you thinking about experiences you'd like to give and/or receive. Enjoy!

Resources:

Wildlife viewing opportunities are closer than you think. For locations in the U.S. click http://wildlifeviewingareas.com/ (here).

Looking for a great factory tour near you (or on your next vacation)? https://www.travelandleisure.com/slideshows/worlds-coolest-factory-tours (This article) offers some ideas to get you started.

For an experience that delights kids of all ages, check out https://www.countryliving.com/life/travel/g4699/train-rides-for-kids/ (this list) of family-friendly train rides.

The holidays are all about cherished traditions and comfy familiarity — or are they? This episode explores the way non-traditional holidays, often spent far from home (whether we planned them to be that way or not), can expand our perspective and strengthen our gratitude for the many blessings we already enjoy.

To quote poet https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/robert-frost (Robert Frost), having the courage to take the "road less travelled" often makes "all the difference".

Have you ever spent a beloved holiday on the road, or in a way you never expected? I invite you to think about it, and perhaps journal about it, in the coming days and weeks. Watch how that extra awareness changes the way you process the current holiday season. Do you have a broader perspective? What have you learned? How have you stayed stuck? How might a new way of looking at things help you move forward with challenges and obstacles you expect to face in the coming year?

Thank you for listening!

Stephanie

This episode was recorded a week before Thanksgiving, a time when family and friends gather for fellowship, food, and -- sometimes -- a good-natured fight over clashing culinary traditions.

If you've ever gotten into an argument over stuffing (white bread or cornbread?), turkey (oven roasted or deep fried?), or cranberry sauce (whole cranberries or the sliceable kind that comes from a can?) this show provides more food for thought!

First you find the inspiration to get started, then you find momentum. But how do you stay on track with your goals and dreams during those times when your energy flags or your enthusiasm fades?

In this episode, we talk about shaping our values through emotional memories and connections -- one of the secrets to staying on course.

Further reading

In this episode, I referred to a radio story I did several years ago about young poll workers. Click here to read the text version of that story.

A lot has changed in the 30 years since I visited Berlin. If you plan on making a trip there, check out one out the many museums and exhibits commemorating to the anniversary of fall of the Berlin Wall.

How do you create momentum to dive deep into activities you enjoy and that enhance your quality of life?

Whether your goal is to travel the world, learn a new language, or get into an exercise groove, deciding when and how to begin is an important part of the process.

This episode is all about inspiring you to overcome barriers to success by taking that all-important first step. It doesn't have to be hard. In fact, sometimes taking it easy is the best way to start.

Further inspiration

If you follow the work of travel book writer and TV show producer Rick Steves, you may have heard him call Europe the "wading pool for world exploration" (for American tourists, at least). In this blog post from 2009, he explains how exploring Europe ultimately led to him to discover a part of the world that fascinates him even more.

As I explain in this episode, for me, launching my current yoga practice (mainly Vinyasa) didn't happen overnight. In fact, my "wading pool" was restorative yoga. You can read more about this easy, but beneficial, form of yoga here.

I have spent the last few years listening to podcasts designed to help me brush up on my French. One I highly recommend is Coffee Break French. If you enjoy the free version, you can deepen your learning with the paid program. The show's producer has similar courses other languages, including German, Chinese, Spanish, and Italian.

Every city and town has fantastic teachers ready and willing to teach you what they know, whether it be how to cook, dance, hone your speaking skills, play poker — you name it. Did you know my broadcasting career was launched by an evening voice and speech class I took on a whim in New York City? Check out the listings at your local community college, YMCA, JCC, etc. to see what intrigues you.