You only live twice

By an odd set of circumstances, the theme song from “You Only Live Twice” kept coming into my awareness over the past two weeks. It’s a great song — It has such a beautiful, haunting melody, but it’s the lyrics that really get me:
You only live twice
or so it seems
One life for yourself
and one for your dreams
You drift through the years
and life seems tame
Till one dream appears
and love is it’s name
And love is a stranger
who’ll beckon you on
Don’t think of the danger
or the stranger is gone
This dream is for you
so pay the price
Make one dream come true
you only live twice
Wow, think of all the ideas that are in here. We have two lives — one for our regular Self and one for our dreams. We drift through the years and life seems tame, then suddenly a new dream appears. A dream borne out of love. It’s a stranger, it beckons us on. Stay with it, don’t go into fear, don’t think of the danger or the stranger is gone. It’s telling you to make the dream come true. It’s there for you, so pay the price. Make one dream come true, you only live twice.
So the obvious question is, what’s the life you’re living? Are you living the life that everyone else has set out for you or are you living the life of your dreams?
I’m afraid I already know the answer. It feels so often that we don’t have a choice, doesn’t it? That the only kind of life that we can live is the usual thing that’s been set out for us:
We’re born
We grow up and our parents start telling us what to do and how to behave
We go to school and our teachers start telling us what to do and how to
behave
We tell our parents and teachers we want to be firemen, ballerinas, astronauts; they tell us we need to do something where we’re paid well and have a good retirement.
We finish school
We get a job
We get married
We have kids
We go to work, pay the mortgage, get the kids off to where they’re supposed to be, maybe take a vacation during the summer or have a few week-ends to relax.
That’s the life that most people are living.
And then for many people, something starts to happen. It starts to feel like every day is the same. Worse, it starts to feel like you’ve already felt every emotion you are ever going to feel. I think that’s the thing that finally did it for me. When I had the thought that I had already experienced everything I was ever going to experience and I had already felt all the emotions I was ever going to feel.
When I think of “You Only Live Twice”, I really feel that in my own life, I’ve lived two lives. The first one was the one where I gave up my dream of being an actress and dancer, got married, went to law school, practiced law for 20 years, had a beautiful house, great cars, boats, beautiful clothes, went on some cool vacations, hosted lots of dinner parties, was politically and environmentally active, went out with friends on the week-ends, etc., etc. A lot of it was pretty wonderful, but through it all was this gnawing feeling in my gut that I was supposed to be doing more with my life.
Finally that gnawing feeling turned into more than that, it turned into a deep knowing that I wasn’t living my best life. I started reading lots of books, went to a lot of workshops and seminars and just started searching. I started tip toeing into “the river of change”.
Do you have a feeling that you’re supposed to be doing more with your life? And by more, I don’t mean bigger houses, boats, cars, more stuff, more parties, etc., etc., etc. I mean more. Deeper. Richer. A calling. A calling that isn’t defined yet, but is calling you nonetheless.
My second life started when I kept going further and further into the river of change:
I came to Sedona
I went home
I closed my law practice
I kept coming out to Sedona, doing healing sessions with different practitioners
I moved to Sedona
I sat in Sedona wondering ‘why did I move here?’ ‘What am I meant to do?’
I started having dreams about what would become Sedona Soul Adventures
When I look back on those steps, some of them sound pretty huge and amazing, like closing my law practice and moving to Sedona. But that’s never what it felt like at the time. It always just felt like the next logical step. I never felt brave, I never felt like I was doing anything out of the ordinary. It just always made perfect sense.
The one common theme throughout is that I knew I was supposed to be doing something with my life. I didn’t know what it was. I just kept listening to that little voice that told me there was something more for me in this life and I kept following the points on the path that were lighting up.
So I want to challenge you. Do you know you’re supposed to be doing more in your life than just going to your job, going out on the week-ends and going on trips occasionally? If so, when are you going to do something about it? If you have a heart attack tomorrow are you going to have the awful regret (not to mention the karma) of not having done what you were supposed to be doing in this lifetime?
We’re here for a purpose. Are you living yours? If not, my challenge to you is to do something about it. Now.
And please don’t tell me you don’t know what you’re supposed to be doing. I know, because I used that excuse myself for 5 years. I promise you there are glimmers on your path and things you already know you want to do and things you already know you don’t want to do. Stop telling yourself you don’t know and start listening to what you do know.
Is it time for you to start stepping into the river of change? For me, that was coming to Sedona. Maybe that’s the answer for you as well. If you’re ready to step into the river of change we’re here to show you how to do it, and we’ll give you the tools for how it’s done.
An unfulfilled life is one of the worst things I can think of. My wish for you is that your life is completely lived and fulfilled. If you have the stirrings and thoughts of wanting more in your life, call us and we’ll help you find it. We’ll help you connect with that highest part of your Self, the part that knows what your highest calling is and how you can manifest that into your life.
Make one dream come true, you only live twice!
Click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you. Or if you’d prefer, call us toll free at 1-877-204-3664 (US and Canada). For our friends outside the US and Canada call 01 928-204-5988 or click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you.
Wishing you a week of living life a little differently,
Debra Stangl, Founder

 
George says “I left Sedona with a deep understanding of my current path, my true life’s purpose and the tools needed to find my way home to my soul.”
“My Sedona Soul Adventure was an extraordinary experience in every way! I left Sedona with a deep understanding of my current path, my true life’s purpose and the tools needed to find my way home to my soul. As an added bonus I have also learned how to better guide my two children along their path. The changes in me are profound as I begin the next leg of my journey and I could not imagine accomplishing so much on my own in such a short amount of time. My Angel Guide at Sedona Soul Adventures thoughtfully listened to my desired transformation and then hand crafted a retreat filled with skilled and caring practitioners in areas that I have never even considered in the past. Each session built on the previous one until the crescendo on the final day where I was left with an enlightened cumulative perspective that will enrich me for the rest of my life. I can’t even begin to describe the impact of the changes in my life. I am so grateful!” 

George G., Windsor, Connecticut.

 
Is Peru Calling You? – Come with us June 17-30

Since we’re talking about living your life a little differently, maybe NOW is the time to go with us to Peru (June 17-30). Do you know how many people tell me year after year that they’re going to go to Peru (or Egypt or Bali) and then they never do? It’s time to start living your life the way you want to live it, not the way you think you’re supposed to live it. And what a perfect way to start! Machu Picchu, Cuzco, the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, two weeks of being in the presence of our teacher and shaman, Jorge Luis Delgado, it’s truly the trip of a lifetime.

Click here for all the information or even better, send me an email at:
[email protected] – I love talking about Peru!
“Our sacred journey to Peru was more than we had hoped for, and was made all the more special by the people – Debra our Sedona Soul Adventures tour leader, Jorge Luis, our Shaman and guide, and all of our wonderful fellow travelers. My wife and I signed up for the journey to deepen our individual spiritual journeys and what happened was so much more. Jorge Luis was such an incredible source of information and inspiration for how to live a sacred life while still engaged with the modern world. We learned so much about Peru and even more about ourselves. Everything was beautiful, meaningful and way beyond what we expected. The group of strangers that we met on the first day became lifelong friends by the end of the two weeks. Overall, the trip was very well-run, deeply spiritual and life-changing.”

Clayton Smith, Milton, Ontario, Canada

“My life was in a shambles and then this happened…”

I received this beautiful message from someone who did a Sedona Soul Adventures retreat last month.
Does it feel sometimes like your life is in shambles?
Do you feel fearful and doubtful?
Do you want to feel balanced, grounded and sure of yourself?
Would you like to come to Sedona, do a retreat and then go home and write to me, “Debra, I’m not afraid anymore”?
If so, please read this:
Dear Debra,
What a truly extraordinary experience…this stuff really does work!!!
 
Before I began my retreat with the Sedona Soul Adventures my life was in shambles, literally. Every aspect of my life was at a critical point and I needed to get clear and focused so that I could begin to make changes with the right heart and mindset. I felt fearful and doubtful that I could make anything positive come about in my life. What immediately drew me to the program was the fact that each session would be one-on-one, not in groups. With all that was going on with me I knew I really needed that personal hands on approach.
“To have a series of powerful, transformational sessions each designed specifically for your needs was absolutely awesome. Beginning with the very first conversation I had with the Angel Guide, I felt a crescendo effect occurring. I could tell that the sessions were arranged in such a way as to build upon each other to bring about the highest and most complete transformational response. Each healer was so immensely gifted that I could actually feel them working on me before each of my sessions began and during each session I experienced breakthrough after breakthrough.
 
At the end of the retreat, I felt so balanced, grounded and sure of myself and the choices I needed to make. I’m not afraid anymore, I feel ready to take on the world with a renewed sense of self. I now believe in my ability to make changes with my heart and soul driving me from a very clear and loving place.
 
I am truly so grateful to everyone at the Sedona Soul Adventures for their integrity, their heart, their passion and their foundation in who they are and why they were put here on this planet. They each represented so much of me… the me I’m working toward becoming, because ultimately it’s who I really am. I felt like I belonged there in beautiful Sedona with these glorious teachers, like I was among kindred spirits. Thank you, Debra!”
Sanyu Coles
East Orange, NJ
Oh my gosh, this brought tears to my eyes. To have someone come when they are feeling like their life is in shambles and then to get back home and tell me “I don’t feel afraid anymore”. That is truly what this is all about.
The wonderful thing is, this is what happens all the time here. People’s lives and relationships are completely transformed. But to have someone put it so beautifully and for you to hear this from a real person, makes it priceless.
So, if you’ve been asking yourself if a Sedona Soul Adventures retreat really works, the short answer is yes! If you’re looking for peace in your life or your relationship, please contact us. Click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you. Or if you’d prefer, call us toll free at 1-877-204-3664 (US and Canada). For our friends outside the US and Canada call 01 928-204-5988 or click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you.
Wishing you a week filled with love, peace and kindness,
Debra Stangl, Founder

Dr. Rosenberg's Self-Esteem [Test]

I’m reading a fantastic book right now, “The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self Assurance”. This book came to my attention (not surprisingly) through one of our Sedona Soul Adventures clients. I am continually amazed at how many people come to Sedona Soul Adventures (both men and women) who are suffering from a lack of confidence, self assurance and self-esteem. Overwhelmingly, these are people who (on paper at least) would appear to  have amazing lives. They’ve had wonderful careers, they’ve accomplished much in their life, but their sense of self is shaky.
And that sense of self, that basic foundation, is everything. If we don’t have that basic foundation, we have nothing on which to build.
When they first started writing the book, the authors used the terms “confidence” and “self-esteem” interchangeably. Through research and study, they discovered that confidence is more action oriented, while self-esteem (which they refer to as a vitally important cousin of confidence), is more related to our emotional make up. Self-esteem is all about how we feel about ourselves, as opposed to how we perform in the world. And, of course, if we don’t feel good about ourselves, it’s usually much more difficult to perform well in the world.
One of my favorite parts of this book is that they resurrect the test developed by Dr. Morris Rosenberg, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale. Dr. Rosenberg developed this test in the mid-60’s but the whole self-esteem concept really took hold in the 70’s and this test is now considered to be the most widely-used self-esteem measure in social science research. It became the centerpiece of Dr. Rosenberg’s bestselling book, Conceiving the Self, which came out in 1979, the year I graduated from law school. I remember taking the test back then!
It is a quick and easy way to measure your self-esteem. As you take the test, it’s very important for you to answer the questions honestly. If you have half a brain, you’ll be able to easily figure out what the “correct” answer is, i.e., what is the answer you should give if you want to have a high self-esteem score. But, of course, that completely defeats the purpose. This isn’t a test for which the objective is to get a high score, the objective is to measure where you are on the self-esteem scale. As with everything in life, honesty is the best policy. Honesty will give you a true measure. As you read each question, you will have an immediate, intuitive response. Go with that.
Here’s the test. Answer the questions with one of the following four statements:
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
1.     I feel that I am a person of worth, at least on an equal plane with others.
2.    I feel that I have a number of good qualities.
3.    All in all, I am inclined to feel that I am a failure.
4.    I am able to do things as well as most other people.
5.    I feel I do not have much to be proud of.
6.    I take a positive attitude toward myself.
7.    On the whole, I am satisfied with myself.
8.    I wish I could have more respect for myself.
9.    I certainly feel useless at times.
10.  At times I think I am no good at all.
Calculate your score as follows:
For items 1, 2, 4, 6 and 7:
Strongly agree = 3
Agree = 2
Disagree = 1
Strongly disagree = 0
For items 3, 5, 8 9 and 10:
Strongly agree = 0
Agree = 1
Disagree = 2
Strongly disagree = 3
The scale ranges from 0 to 30. Scores between 25-30 reflect high self-esteem; scores between 15 and 25 are within normal range; scores below 15 suggest low self-esteem.
It’s interesting to me that in the past decade it seems like the concept of self-esteem has come under fire. I’m guessing that’s because too many schools and parents had the idea that if they just told their kids how fabulous they are (without any evidence or any additional work) they would end up with kids who have enormous self-esteem and confidence and that the children’s lives and accomplishments would be in direct correlation with their level of self-esteem. I.e., if we constantly tell kids how great they are and we’ll end up with happy and well-adjusted doctors, lawyers and ballerinas.
Well, we’ve all seen that’s not what’s happened with the last generation of children. Unless there is action taken, accompanying the encouragement, you can tell a kid (or anyone for that matter) til you’re blue in the face that they’re wonderful, but you’re probably not going to end up with a Rhodes Scholar just by telling them how fabulous they are. The encouragement has to be accompanied by action.
My nephew is a perfect example of this. From the time Jason was born, his father (my brother) was telling Jason how fabulous he is and that he could be, do or have anything he wanted. At the same time, Jason worked very hard, got great grades, excelled at sports and was held accountable by his parents for being a good person. Now Jason is an amazing physician, husband and father (his second child was just born in March) and a really great person. He’s the whole package. The perfect example of what high self-esteem plus action can do.
So how did you do? Did you get a high score? I guess the bigger question is, how have you done with your life?
Dr. Rosenberg defines self-esteem as “an overall evaluation of one’s worth or value”. If you don’t honestly have a high evaluation of your worth or value, if you’re afraid there might actually be something a little wrong with you, then you have a problem, my friend. How’s your self talk? Are you constantly telling yourself “I’m so bad.” “I’m so terrible”, or “I’m so stupid?”. Those are actually more accurate scales of where you are than even taking a test.
Do you value yourself highly? Is everything harmonious and wonderful in the major areas of your life (relationships, work, your physical body)? If everything isn’t harmonious and wonderful, there’s something you can do about it. Come to Sedona and do a Sedona Soul Adventures retreat. We’ll uncover and clear out the blocks that are keeping you from a real knowing and experiencing of your true self, your Highest Self. That’s the ultimate in self-esteem. Knowing and experiencing your true value.
Contact us now to have a no cost, no obligation consultation with one of our Angel Guides. They’ll engage you (or both of you, if it’s a couple) in deep conversation to discover what YOU need and what YOU want. Then they’ll design the perfect retreat of one-on-one sessions with our amazing practitioners (we have over 40!)
Click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you. Or if you’d prefer, call us toll free at 1-877-204-3664 (US and Canada). For our friends outside the US and Canada call 01 928-204-5988 or click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you. The results are transformational and at their core is the self love you’ve been craving.
Wishing you a week filled with loving your cute self,
Debra Stangl, Founder

 
Eileen says her soul adventure empowered her to be her authentic self.

“My Sedona Soul Adventure was incredible. I feel so light, so openhearted, so expanded and empowered to be my authentic self. I feel so spiritually nourished. Thank you, to all of you at SSA for the fantastic work you do!”

Eileen G., Northport, Massachusetts

    Come to Bali September 12 – 25, 2015

Come with Sedona Soul Adventures on another incredible, amazing trip to beautiful, mystical Bali, September 12-25. It’s truly the trip of a lifetime.

For all the information on the trip, including pricing, click here.

“Sedona Soul Adventures helps facilitate a unique and spiritual experience in Bali that you cannot get with any other type of tour. They help guide you to recognize the spiritual significance of the country, the sites and the people. That’s what is important to me in my everyday life and that is what I was looking to experience on this vacation.”

Victoria Martinez

The best things in life are free

I love the TV show Mad Men. Is there a more beautiful man on the planet than Don Draper? He is the ultimate man’s man. The quintessential tall, dark and handsome. I especially love him because of all his faults.
This is the last season of Mad Men and I’ve been watching the last few episodes and poor Don’s been having a really rough time. [Spoiler alert] His beautiful wife left him, he’s been drinking way too much and he’s been in constant fear of being kicked out of his job. The poor guy is definitely in need of a Soul Adventure!
In the last episode, the head of the agency dies (Bert Cooper) and in the very last scene, his spirit appears to Don in the office and sings (and dances) the song “The Best Things In Life Are Free”. Bert’s spirit has appeared at one of the lowest points of Don’s life and it’s definitely a message that Don (and everyone else) needs to hear.
The moon belongs to everyone
The best things in life are free
The stars belong to everyone
They gleam there for you and me
The flowers in spring
The robin that sings
The sunbeams that shine
They’re yours, they’re mine
And love can come to everyone
Because the best things in life are free
How often do we remember this? How often do we lose sight of this? The sun, the moon, the stars, love — these are all things that are here right now for us to enjoy and luxuriate in. They’re always available, and yet we somehow don’t remember that. So many people go through life focused on their pain and the things they don’t have. When the truth is, we have the most important stuff available right now — love, hope, joy, connection. None of those have a price tag, yet they’re priceless. The joy in a child’s face, just walking out in the sunlight. Doesn’t it make you feel full just to think about that?
We live on this beautiful planet and we’re here for a reason. All of us. Including you. And that reason is inextricably linked with your own joy and connection.
Are you living your life in joy and gratitude? Or are you focused on what’s wrong and what’s driving you crazy? It’s your choice in every moment.
Sometimes we feel so mired in our circumstances and our pain that we can’t seem to pull ourselves out of it. Sometimes it feels like it will always feel this way. But I can assure you, that’s simply not true. It’s our disconnection that’s making us feel that way.
There’s a way out of your disconnection and back into the joy and bliss that are your birthright.
Take the first step back into connection. Call and speak with one of our Angel Guides. In deep conversation with you (or both of you if it’s a couple), they’ll figure out what’s causing your disconnection and how we can help you out of that. The retreat that you’ll do here in beautiful Sedona (with private one-on-one sessions with our amazing practitioners), will bring you back into connection and into the peace and joy you thought weren’t possible.

 
Courtney says “Sedona Soul Adventures is like a recipe for a happy soul”

“Sedona Soul Adventures is like a recipe for a happy soul. Each practitioner served an important purpose during the journey, and much like cooking a special sauce or soup, the ingredients mix together sometimes so perfectly you cannot pinpoint a particular flavor, but you know it’s finished. There are so many times I’m trying to recall one specific ‘a-ha’ moment and it seems to meld into one fabulous, soul-changing experience. It’s just what the soul ordered! Thank you!”

Courtney W., Nashville, Tennessee

 
Last call for Peru and Machu Picchu – June 17-30

If you’ve always dreamed of going to Peru, now is the time to go. We’ll be at Machu Picchu doing ceremony on the solstice! It’s so wonderful to travel with other like minded adventurers as we journey with our shaman and guide, Jorge Luis Delgado. Just being in Jorge’s presence for 2 weeks and absorbing his teachings is life changing. See Peru the way it is meant to be seen, through conscious travel and through the eyes of the shaman. We handle all the details so you can completely immerse yourself in the experience. Click here for all the information on pricing, our incredible Itinerary and a beautiful photo gallery of past trips.

“Every aspect of the Peru trip was a 10! Thank you, Jorge and Debra, for this trip of a lifetime.”

Barb Nadeau

Decide now to join me on this sacred journey.
If you have any questions or are even thinking about going on this amazing journey, send me an email at [email protected] or better yet, call me at 1-877-204-3664 (US and Canada) or for our friends outside the US and Canada call us direct at 01-928/204-5988. Give me a call, I love talking about Peru!

 
Take the first step back into connection. Call and speak with one of our Angel Guides. In deep conversation with you (or both of you if it’s a couple), they’ll figure out what’s causing your disconnection and how we can help you out of that. The retreat that you’ll do here in beautiful Sedona (with private one-on-one sessions with our amazing practitioners), will bring you back into connection and into the peace and joy you thought weren’t possible.
Click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you. Or if you’d prefer, call us toll free at 1-877-204-3664 (US and Canada). For our friends outside the US and Canada call 01 928-204-5988 or click here and one of our Angel Guides will call you.
Wishing you a week filled with the sun, the moon, the stars and lots of love.
Many Blessings,
Debra Stangl, Founder