Welcome!
 Living Your Intention is a lifestyle newsletter in which to share my thoughts and experiences about striving to live an intentional life in the face of the inevitable daily distractions that get in the way. The premise for this newsletter is based on my two passions:
Feng Shui and Travel
Feng Shui (fung shway) is the study of how to evaluate and arrange living and working environments to enhance the quality of life for all of the inhabitants. It is based on the premise that humans are affected by their surroundings. The principles of Feng Shui can be applied to all aspects of our lives including relationships, health, career, travel and everything in between. It can influence what we eat, how we dress, our shopping habits or the way we plant a garden. Studying Feng Shui taught me everything is energy, our spaces reflect our lives, and our environments have a profound impact on us. My view of the world and how I live in it changed dramatically. Travel was never a big part of my childhood. Growing up in West Texas, my family and I spent a week every summer in Ruidoso, NM at a small resort of about 15 individual log cabins. Having lived in Minnesota for so long now, I realize it was a lot like going up north to a summer cabin. I loved it! We brought our own food, although we might get to go to the one and only little nearby restaurant as a special treat. The only formal activity available was horseshoes, which was located in a small park-like area in the middle of the resort and also served as the gathering place for the adults to sit and visit.
We kids were busy exploring the surrounding woods, following the meandering stream and making up our own games. I loved the quiet exploring and discovery that each turn in the woods brought -- a new vista, some interesting woodland flowers, or a uniquely shaped rock.I knew without question that I wanted to travel beyond this enchanting place.
It wouldn't be until many years later that my travels began in earnest. I have been fortunate to visit 18 countries to date. Travel has opened my eyes to the world. The sights, sounds and experiences feed an ongoing hunger to see and learn more about the incredible planet on which we live.My Intention is to share with you how the application of Feng Shui, as well as the experience of traveling, can support mindfulness and intentionality as we navigate life's journey. It is my hope that you might encounter a new idea, a new resource or a new viewpoint. Perhaps some small nugget will answer an unspoken question, provide a tip, motivate or inspire you on your journey, or simply give you a moment to escape from the demands of your day.I'm excited to share thoughts, ideas and experiences with you!
Your comments and ideas are welcome! Enjoy!
Hinda
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Savoring Sedona - Part 1 of a Series
Because the practice of Feng Shui encourages an intentional approach to both the ordinary and the special events in our lives, our group met the week prior to our departure to set our intentions for having a great vacation! On index cards, we each wrote down the things we absolutely wanted to do individually, as couples and as a group. We repeated the exercise with our personal intentions - the meaning we each hoped to take from the experience. We then shared what we had written. It was not surprising that we were all on the same page!
A week later, we flew into Phoenix, picked up our rental car and drove the 123 miles to Sedona.
I am not a desert person, but the topography of the Sedona area took my breath away! We were greeted by the amazingly beautiful rock formations that surround the town. Over millions of years, a receding ocean left layers of sandstone and limestone in the area. Iron oxide eventually covered  the sandstone forming rust resulting in the red rock formations we see today. I could look at them all day! It reminded me of cloud watching. Remember when, as children, we would attribute different animal shapes to the clouds as they moved and shifted across the sky? As the sun moves over the red rocks, the eye catches changing shapes. I saw temples, arches, pillars and caves and imagined the ruins of ancient civilizations, while lost forever, still subtly revealing themselves, hinting at long ago cultures and mysterious ways of life.
 The desert was beginning to come alive. Having never seen the desert in bloom, it was delightful to catch a preview of the coming beauty with early bursts of color.
While tourists journey there to enjoy the hiking and mountain biking trails, Sedona may be best known for its vortexes (yes, in Sedona, they say vortexes rather than vortices). Many are drawn to Sedona to visit or live permanently in spiritual pursuit of the vortex energies. Travelers hike the vortexes for a variety of reasons: seeking meditative time, to reduce the stresses of daily living (which, of course, is a reason most of us travel) or to gain new insights.
What exactly is a vortex? A vortex is the funnel shape created by a whirling fluid or by the motion of spiraling energy. Think tornadoes or water going down a drain; thus some vortexes can be destructive or draining. On the other hand, the vortexes of Sedona are thought to have a healing energy. A vortex, then, can be made up of anything that flows in a swirling motion, such as wind, water or electricity.
The Sedona vortexes are believed to be made up of a swirling center of subtle energy coming from the surface of the earth. It is said the energy is not exactly electrical or magnetic, although it does leave a slight measurable residual magnetism in the places where it is strongest. To learn more about vortexes, see the book: Scientific Vortex Information: How to Easily Understand, Find and Tap Vortex Energy in Sedona and Wherever you Travel by Pete A. Sanders. Click here to order online through Barnes and Noble.
Because the study of Feng Shui is about energy and how it affects us, I was eager to check out the sites. There are four major energy vortexes in Sedona: Airport Vortex, Cathedral Rock, Boynton Canyon and Bell Rock. All are easily accessible by car and no strenuous hiking is involved to reach any of them.
Our first hike up a vortex resulted in something interesting and unexpected. As we began our ascent, one of our party tripped on a rock, causing him to lose his balance. In an effort to break his fall, he reached out to catch himself and accidentally grabbed a cactus! Ouch! His palm looked like a porcupine! Initially we were so focused on his hand we failed to notice his bleeding elbow. The outcome was a trip to the emergency room resulting in seven stitches to the gash in his elbow! There we learned that the best way to remove the cactus needles is to put Elmer's glue on the area, let it dry and then peel it off (remember doing that for fun as a child?). As the glue is peeled away, it pulls out the cactus needles.
While in the ER waiting room, we met several locals who turned out to be energy healers. What seemed to be a potential disaster turned into a unique experience! Our dear friend took "the hit" that led us to this fortunate encounter. Was it the energy of that particular vortex that created a very different experience than planned? It's hard to say. I know I never could have imagined a fortuitous meeting with such intriguing practitioners.
Fortunately, our friend had excellent treatment, and we were able to continue our day as planned. We did not, however, return to that particular vortex. Interestingly, I have since learned that others have also experienced being "needled" by an Arizona cactus as their first introduction to vortex "spirituality."
 The other vortexes were kinder to us and each of us had our own special moments and personal experiences. There were awesome vistas, beautiful, quiet streams to follow, and unexpected hidden areas that we would happen upon which took our breath away as we basked in the natural beauty around us. I was reminded of those childhood memories from Ruidoso, N.M.
Of course, awesome shopping and great restaurants can be found in the Sedona area. If you are interested in stunning native American jewelry, make time to drive to family-owned Garland's Indian Jewelry four miles north of Sedona on State Route 89A. Visit their second shop in Sedona proper to see collections of the finest Navajo Rugs and Weavings, Pottery, Baskets, and Hopi Kachinas in the Southwest.
Other recommendations include breakfast on the patio at the Coffee Pot Restaurant where you have 101 omelet choices, ranging from a green chili to peanut butter! Dinner at Elote Café is a must. Be sure to make reservations and arrive early. We got there supposedly when they opened only to find the restaurant already full. Don't miss ordering the Elote appetizer (menu) of fire-roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese! It was unlike anything I have tasted before, and I could have easily made it my entire meal. And save an evening to have drinks on the patio at the Enchantment Resort in Boynton Canyon to watch the sun set on the red rocks. Heavenly!
Many people visit Sedona over a long weekend. We wanted to stay long enough to see and experience everything that was on our "must do" lists. We also wanted time for the unexpected and to return to places that called us back. Spending a week in Sedona allowed us to fulfill all the intentions we had set at the beginning of our trip. |
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Thank you so much for your interest in Living Your Intention!
I would love your feedback, and look forward to hearing from you!
Please know that I am grateful for your presence.
Many blessings,
Hinda Abrahamson
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Book Travel Here:
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Intentional Travel
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Let's Connect!
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Fun Fact: Turquoise Arches??
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The McDonald's in Sedona, Arizona is the only one in the world with turquoise arches. They are not yellow because the city thought the color would clash with the surrounding red rocks. The first alternate color McDonald's offered was turquoise, which the city accepted.
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Ten Days - One Carry-on! Could You Do It?
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Can airline baggage policies and restrictions get any more frustrating?
Traveling light is more important than ever, so Heather Poole's magic methodology is riveting. She gets 10 days of travel wear packed into one carry-on bag! How does she do it? Watch the slideshow and see two different methods! She does leave one wondering about certain items though. See if you can spot what she missed!
Then . . . check this out: the 10 most versatile clothing itemsfashion-conscious female travelers should be taking on the road.
Now we can be so done with over-packing!
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About Hinda
A certified Feng Shui Consultant, Hinda Abrahamson is Vice President and a founding member of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest.
Hinda consults with individuals and
businesses on applying the principles of Feng Shui to office, home and
landscape. She uses this powerful, ancient art of placement to assist clients in exploring ways to
create balanced and harmonious environments.
Hinda can provide valuable guidance whether you are selling or
purchasing a home, building or remodeling, decorating, rearranging or landscaping.
As a
Fashion Feng Shui Consultant, Hinda assists with wardrobe
choices so you can:
better reflect your authentic self,
support your personal
energies, and eliminate closet clutter.
Hinda is available to speak on the power of this ancient art and its application
to contemporary Western thought and practice.
For private
consultation, speaking engagements, or for customizing a workshop for
your group, contact Hinda at (952) 938-0894 or email:
Hinda Abrahamson |
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