Wow. Thursday’s meeting was amazing. Having thirty world travelers in one room created a palpable sense of possibility. And the topic and timing seemed to resonate with some who see the unfolding economic crisis as an opportunity to reinvent themselves, their livelihoods, and the world.
The core theme of the meeting was just GO. Whether it’s a trip, a life change, or both, the hardest part is just taking that first step. Elizabeth and Todd urged us to take that first step, and do it even though we might not know where it’ll lead. And even if our friends and family are saying DON’T GO.
Why do this? The stories of transformation they shared demonstrated that the world conspires to help us when we take that first bold step toward manifesting our purpose. As Author M. Young might say, the universe is reflexive, it responds, and that everything unfolds in a similar pattern, and everything begins with a purpose. Elizabeth and Todd’s stories showed us that starting on an authentic path, one that originates in our own imagination, can bring us into a mythic narrative of our own making where, as Joseph Campbell said, “doors will open where you would not have thought there would be doors; and where there wouldn’t be a door for anyone else.” The universe becomes magical, alive, and we, perhaps for the first time, come into true conversation with it.
I’m convinced this timeless quest is absolutely essential to becoming fully human. It’s heartening to know that Elizabeth and Todd are enabling others to embark on it. Their stories couldn’t be more timely given that existing institutions are failing us so badly and we need a generation of heros to embark on bold, worldchanging projects. If there was ever a time for boldness, it’s now. Just GO.
Thanks to everyone for creating a great experience together. You can learn more about Elizabeth and Todd here.
Our next meeting is Thursday, March 19th. Mark your calendars. We haven’t settled on a featured speaker, artist, or activity yet. Got an idea? E-mail me: gorenflo [at] gmail dot com.
We hope to see you then.
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ABUNDANCE LEAGUE MEMBER ANNOUNCEMENTS
Name:tabi musselwhite
Passion:knowledge
Needs:integrate travel and career
Gifts:creative, adventurous! positive
Name:kim
Passion:orginization
Needs:proposal/contract knowledge
Gifts:orginization to create time and space in your life
Name:simin
Passion:learning different things, meeting new people, doing new things, life-long student..
Needs:an excuse to get back to travelling (my excuse to move to SF was a graduate program at SF State..com’on give me some ideas..)
Gifts:event organizer, fundraising..etc, have local connections.
Name:Ali Wender
Passion:life, music, travel, laughing
Needs:more community/network/bouncing ideas
Gifts:helping people help themselves, sharing the gift of self awareness, humor
Name: Cherie Ve Ard, Technomad
Passion: Variety of experiences, travel
Needs: Balancing wanderlust with feeling connected to community.
Gifts: Helping you realize the reality of your visions.
Name: Nita Winter
Passion: life, photography, capturing the essence and spirit of living things
Needs: Finding clients, especially green businesses and non profits who value the power of photography and images to tell there story or create cherished keepsakes
Gifts: email me and I’ll send you an image that will make you smile. www.nitawinter.com. Here are some websites that help you travel inexpensively and get to know locals wherever you go:
www.Couchsurfing.org (note from Neal: Casey, the founder, came to the first Abundance League meetings)
www.globalfreeloaders.com
www.hospitalityclub.org
Name: Rob Badger
Passion:many, especially,beauty photography, widlflowers
Needs:connections to team to help get the message of how climate chaos is chnaging the planet, including wildflowers in alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems
Gifts: Many, (like all of us) especially Creativity in photograph.ySend me an email and I will send you a wildflower.
www.robbadger.com
Name: Chris Dunphy // www.technomadia.com
Passion: Travel, possibility, connection.
Needs: Inspiring people and projects.
Gifts: Mobile technology expertise, and more.
NAME: Evan Denbaum, copywriter (www.evandenbaum.com)
Passion: I love being a student of myself. I’m passionate about looking inward to uncover, examine and potentially change the deep-rooted beliefs that rule the feelings I experience and the behaviors I exhibit. I do this because it’s a blast, and because I’m continually striving to heal, be happier and be more full of love.
GIFT: My communication skills (as a writer and speaker). What I can best offer members of the group is a conversation where I’ll listen, ask precise questions based on what you say and reflect back your ideas with a twist that inspires or piques curiosity.
NEED: Time with people living from an abundant mindset and experiencing immense prosperity. It’s healing and inspiring to see how “easy” things can be.
FOUR-WORD TRANSFORMATIONAL TRAVEL: Tilden Botanic Garden Wedding
Hi everyone – I know I speak for Todd at Lonely Planet in saying “thanks for attending tAL session in February!”
I was inspired by everyone in the room, the question each person asked and the willingness to sit in the general question that emerged from our gathering: How to I get more meaningful travel in my life?
Start by just making a commitment to “GO”
Then, bring a sense of adventure into your regular life and see what happens.
Next, connect your travel aspirations with your Interests/Passions, Needs and Gifts.(thanks tAL for asking!)
Finally, remember your most memorable or transformative travel experience to fuel your travel dreams.
(oh and get a Lonely Planet book to support you!)
for Adventure -
elizabeth
ebecker@beckercompany.com
leadershipadventures@beckercompany.com
510-388=6169