Embraced by Brazil

Brazil has once again embraced me with love, peace and blissful joy. I truly enjoyed my moments in Ilhabela, Brazil. Most of them were spent writing.

Lean in... I have a secret to share with you.

I finally started working on my Dream for Ilhabela. I spoke with my dear friends about my Dream to have a healing retreat on the island. This would be a place of solace and healing that offers comfort, spiritual enlightenment, ease, and joy to persons experiencing chronic health conditions.

I intend to offer special retreats for the wonderful care providers too! Imagine lush tropical yummyiness, healthy foods, art therapy, yoga, meditation, playing in the ocean waves...

Everyone was excited and caught the vision. I will tell you more about as it manifests.

Please enjoy some moments of simple pleasure that I captured in Brazil.

What I woke up to each morning...

My front yard...

I 

I love Brazilian desserts!

Orchid Delight...

Just Lush...

Minha casinha... (my little house on the river)

Embrace your Dreams. Allow yourself to be embraced. 

What Dream is calling you?

Peace and Joy,

Vickie

Sleepless Nights

Martha Beck is one of my favorite authors. She has a gift for telling it straight with a heavy dose of humor. I recently enjoyed a YouTube video of Martha talking about being grateful for all of the small moments in your life. She also talked about how sometimes events in our lives can be looked at from many angles.

She used the example of someone who was experiencing nights of insomnia. Sleepless nights. Martha suggested that those nights could be moments of reflection. Moments to clear a space in our lives for something new. One of the things she said that really resonated with me was, that there are times when having a few sleepless nights are worth it. Then she gave a wink. Oh yeah, I could feel that.

Dark, sexy, hot, sultry moments that keep you awake to 4 am in the morning...

Hey, Hey! I am talking about the Ilhabela, Brazil Jazz Festival. What were you thinking? Wink.

July 18-20, 2013 was jamming with jazz here on the island of Ilhabela. The hottest bands for me were, Spok Frevo and Playing for Change. Hot enough for me to have two sleepless nights in a row dancing til 4 in the morning.

I have been dreaming about seeing Playing for Change live in concert for years! This multi-cultural, international group is known for joining the voices and instruments of musicians from all over the world in innovative concerts. Check them out on Youtube and you will be blown away with the beauty of their singing. The creativity...

Some of them are street musicians and some of them are well known in their own countries. Playing for Change is a play on words. Playing for the change you throw in the hats of street musicians and playing to create global change through the power of music. The proceeds from sales of their CDs have already built more than 6 music schools in various countries.

Enjoy these brief moments of my hot sultry sleepless nights!

Playing For Change-- Performing Revolution by Tracy Chapman

 

Playing for Change-- Stand By Me

 

Check out their site and join their movement!

http://playingforchange.com



What brings you joy in the wee hours of the morning?

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

15 Phrases That Changed My Life

Words are very powerful.  They are the outward expressions of our inner thoughts. What we think creates our outer world. Our words reflect out into the world what we want to bring into existence.

I marvel at how powerful one word or a group of words can be in transforming our lives. I am thrilled by the way words are woven together... Sometimes, one or two words can make us pause, breathe and begin again. Life anew. Scripts rewritten. Past healed. We move into our Bright Light presence.

I would like to share with you 15 phrases that changed my life. Words that I held in my heart. To mend from broken places. To move through fears. To embrace the joy that is my existence.

1. I Am
2. "Mommy!"-- Diarra and Serena
3. "You have 3 books inside of you."-- Eunice Gertrude Torrey-- My Mama
4. "Stay Focused."-- Thelbert Torrey,-- My Daddy
5. "Just Do It"-- Nike
6. "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it."-- Van Goethe
7. "Misery is Optional." Tim Hansel (seen on a bumper sticker)
8. "Your future is in your hands."-- T-shirt from San Fransisco School of Massage Therapy
9. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -- Lao-Tzu
10. "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light not our Darkness that frightens us."-- Marianne Williamson
11. "I have a dream..." -- Dr. Martin Luther King
12. "How do we eat an elephant? One bite at a time."-- African Proverb
13. "Weeping may endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning."-- Psalms 30:5
14. "To often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all which have the potential to turn a life around."-- Leo Buscaglia 
15. "Joy Bringers--Celebrate the Joy in Each Moment!"-- Vickie Torrey

 So, what words have transformed your life?

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

The American Cancer Society Celebrates 100 Years This Month!

The month of May 2013 marks the 100th year celebration of the American Cancer Society. This organization has changed millions of lives through education, research, support and community building. All of us have been impacted profoundly by the service it has provided for persons experiencing cancer. Its mission is all about service. Its reach has been spiritually uplifting and globally enlightening.

Join the thousands of celebrations around the country. Take a moment to honor their service by participating in a walk or run. Perhaps donate from your heart.

Here are photos from the Atlanta, Georgia celebration.
Enjoy!

http://www.ajc.com/gallery/news/american-cancer-society-celebrates-its-100th-birth/g9w4/#3455823

Remember: When you purchase a copy of Joy Bringers--Celebrate the Joy in Each Moment! you are making a donation to the American Cancer Society and the National Institutes of Cancer of Brazil (supported agencies).

Peace and Grace,
Vickie

Joy Bringers! You Must Honor Your Story

I have been fascinated by stories since I was a small child. I love to hear a good story. I also love to share stories that are life-affirming and rich with life's complexities. We all have a story. Most of us have many stories that make up the fabric of our lives. You must honor your story. What makes you unique needs to be shared with the world.

I want to take a little time today to share with you how my book, Joy Bringers--Celebrate the Joy in Each Moment! was born.

The story begins like this... I wanted to share compassionate touch with cancer patients who had not experienced it. I had hundreds of patients coming to my office in the hospital, but I wanted to reach more people. I love to volunteer. I decided to volunteer a few hours a week at Blumenthal Cancer Center, in Charlotte, NC.

I offered free hand and foot massages to the patients as they received chemotherapy. I also gave free chair massages to the oncology nurses and the oncologists. While massaging a patient's hand, I took a good look at the chemotherapy treatment room. It was a dull uninviting color. No plants. No art on the walls. And no books! I thought, "Wouldn't it be great to have a bright vibrant colorful book of healing affirmations and Color Therapy sitting on each of these tables?"

That was how Joy Bringers was born. Little did I know that I would be the one to write that special book for such special people. As soon as I arrived in Ilhabela, Brazil, I began to write healing affirmations. Those inspiring words took flight and more manifested while I walked Samara Beach, Costa Rica.

My dear Brazilian friend, Flavio Zabotto, honored me by allowing me to use his vibrant, heart stirring paintings in Joy Bringers. Cynthia Allison, my sister-friend from Carolinas Integrative Health, created the Healing Tree for the Color Therapy affirmations. It was so much fun working with these two brilliant artists!

Joy Bringers is more than a book. It is a movement. A Joy movement. In honor of my cancer patients, $2.50 from the sale of each book is donated to the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institutes of Brazil (sponsored agencies).

With your support we can raise thousands of dollars to help eliminate cancer. I would like to thank you for purchasing Joy Bringers--Celebrate the Joy in Each Moment! 

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

21-Day Meditation Challenge Focuses on Perfect Health

OK, I have to admit that I have a thing for Deepak Chopra. I have another type of thing for Oprah. So when the two of them came together to create the 21-Day Meditation Challenge-- Abundance a few months ago, I was overjoyed. I talked about my experience in an earlier blog. I hope you took the hint and took the Challenge in a big way. It was an extremely expansive journey. I still use the Centering Thoughts about Abundance and the Sanskrit Mantras in my daily meditations.

Well, they have done it again. This month Deepak and Oprah offered us an opportunity to take another journey into higher consciousness. The 21-Day Meditation Challenge-- Perfect Health is all about being, living and enjoying perfect health in your mind-body-spirit. This Challenge inspires you to look deeply inside and uncover what is keeping you from living your best life. What is keeping you from feeling good in your body everyday.

Here are some of my favorite Centering Thoughts--

"I am an exquisite expression of nature."

"I am timeless and ageless."

"Through rest and play, I open my creative channel."

You still have time to join us! Here is the link to the meditation site.

https://www.chopracentermeditation.com/Bestsellers/LandingPage.aspx?BookId=178

This is truly a transformational guided journey into Perfect Health.  See you there!

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

You Gotta Be Flowing to See Your Miracles

It was the day after Christmas and I was trying to book a train ticket to San Diego to see my friend Andrea. It had been a wonderful holiday celebration with my daughters, Diarra and Serena who live in Los Angeles, California. They had declared that my 5 item Holiday Wish List looked really skimpy. So, my darlin daughters were going to gift me with an Experiential Holiday Celebration. You know me. I am in for the experience. So let's go! 

I quickly realized that this was a Flow holiday. Everything flowing in perfect synchronicity. Like flying into Utah for my layover to LA Christmas morning and seeing snow tipped mountains up close. I was gifted with a White Christmas on Christmas morning. An unexpected delight. A miracle.

And it just got better and better. The girls surprised me with Thai Massage on Sunset Blvd. Love it! The next day they whisked me off for a day of adventure. "No peeking at the highway signs, Mommy" they said. It was a miracle that I was able to look at all the beauty of California as we sped along our journey.

"Look now Mommy," they joyfully said. We were in San Diego! My miracle. It keeps going. We had brunch at The Cottage, which is now one of my favorite places to eat on earth. We walked the Pacific coast and saw a beach side wedding. I love LOVE. The ocean was crystal turquoise blue and the breeze was perfect.

I tried to text Andrea so that she could meet us. She was so close, I thought. Well, darn it, double darn it. Andrea texts back that she wished she could be with us, but she was off snowboarding at Bear Mountain. Snowboarding?? OK Andrea. The party continues.

Next stop was Balboa Park. We enjoyed the holiday decorations and watched the excitement of all the beautiful children in this natural wonderland. Miracle. While trying to head into San Diego for dinner, we all noticed that the highway landmarks were taking us onto Coronado Island. I have been wanting to get to that little slice of paradise for years. Miracle. We are in Coronado Island. Not part of their plan, but part of Divine Flow and Divine Plan.

Diarra says, "Looks like Mommy's intentions were stronger than ours." After a "just right" visit to Coronado, we turned back and ended up in downtown San Diego at Croce's for dinner. I love Jim Croce. Serena excuses herself for the ladies' room.

I look up to see her walk back in with Andrea!!! Yaaay! Hugs! Kisses! Tears! Another miracle. They had been planning this together for weeks. Snowboarding??? Right.... We laughed and talked and felt the deep rich sensation of gratitude for friendship and loving family. Andrea surprised Diarra and Serena and paid for dinner. Score a miracle for them. Flowing....

We floated across the street to Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory for dessert and Blissed out on the best brownies hot from the oven. My eyes are crossing just thinking about it. Goodbye hugs and kisses to Andrea and we are off to LA.

So how does this Experiential Holiday Celebration end? Well, as we are whizzing down the highway, we arrive at Disneyland just in time for us to enjoy the amazing fireworks. From the car, I see bright lights exploding, creating intricate designs of art in the sky above. My favorites were the smiley faces. I love fireworks! You know I do. Exhilarating Joy! A miracle.

Your miracles are present for you too. Some of them are small and bring on a smile. Some of them are so large they leave you breathless. Yet, they are indeed all around us. We have to allow ourselves to Flow... The miracles are in the Flow. Gift others with the chance to surprise you. Step away from having to control everything around you. You can't anyway. Let someone else take the wheel while you watch the beautiful scenery Flow past.

Hey, you gotta be Flowing to see your miracles.

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

The Beauty Within You Radiates Out to All You Meet

Believe it or not, 2013 is here... This is a year for dream manifestations, unlimited possibilities and bright passions unfolding. Breathe in and enjoy the sensation of this moment. Yes, that's it... Now breathe out and know that all is well.

Here is an affirmation just for you.

"The beauty within me radiates out to all I meet. The beauty that surrounds me mirrors the beauty that I am."

I captured these moments of natural beauty. Enjoy!

Sun and Leaf... Costa Rica

Hot Pink Floral... Costa Rica

Passionate Red... Costa Rica

Burst of Joy Orchid... Brazil
 

 
Royal Purple Orchid... Brazil

Bromelia Bliss... Brazil

 Water Wonder... Ilhabela, Brazil

Remember, when you are in the presence of Divine Beauty you are experiencing who you truly are.

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

Excuse Me While I Om...

It has been wonderful waking up early each morning and going to bed each night with Deepak Chopra. You know I am talking about his 21-Day Meditation Challenge, right? What a soul enriching opportunity to share daily meditations with thousands and thousands of people all around the world. It was a deeply unifying spiritual experience. It changed the lives of those of us who took on the challenge to find quiet time during our own highly active days.

The subject of this meditation challenge was Abundance. We learned what abundance is, to see it in everything around us, to know that we can attract it to us whenever we choose. The level of abundance we have and use in our lives is equal to our belief about it. Our intentions about abundance and our attention (gratitude), help determine how well prosperity, wealth and abundance flow to and through the moments of our lives.

Here are some of my favorite Centering Thoughts from the 21-Day Meditation Challenge.

"Today, I behold all the abundance that surrounds me."

"Today, I treat myself to moments of luxury."

"Today, and everyday, I give that which I want to receive."

"I place my intentions into the vast ocean of all possibilities and allow the universe to work through me."

"I move through my days light-heartened and carefree, knowing all is well."

You can learn more about meditation, mind-body-spirit awareness, health, abundance and spiritual laws by visiting the Deepak Chopra Center website.

http://www.deepakchopra.com/

Here is the link to the Daily Inspiration.

http://www.chopra.com/dailyinspiration

Enjoy Deepak's videos from his free video gallery.

http://www.deepakchopra.com/video/category/14/ask_deepak_videos

Thank you Deepak for your generous and loving spirit!

Namaste... I bow to you...

How Gratitude Creates Abundance Consciousness? Ask Deepak!

There Is Still Something About Samara....

I am back teaching in sunny Samara, Costa Rica. Something life-changing has happened to this beautiful coastal city. For the first time in their lives many of the people who live here experienced what it feels like to be caught in the middle of an earthquake. Over a month later, they are still asking, "Can you believe it?" "Did an earthquake really happen here?" "Will it happen again?"

Not only did this natural event elevate the city, it also changed the energy in the whole area. It was more than buildings shaking and streets vibrating. People were shaken to their core. They quickly realized what was important to them. First things first--their children.

So, please send positive thoughts of Love, Spiritual Harmony, Spiritual Understanding, Peace and Joy to sunny Samara, Costa Rica. Let the healing begin...

Enjoy these special moments from Samara!

Samara Beach...

A Rainy Walk on the Beach

Just at Sunrise...

Samara Tour Boat

My Apartment at Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy

 

Me In My Hammock Chillin...

My Oncology Massage Seminar

I Am Grateful for the Beautiful Hymns that Flow from this Church...

Me on the WingNuts Canopy Tour. Wheeeee......

Zipline View of Samara Beach

Peace and Joy!
Vickie

Juicy Self-Care

Are you providing care for a loved one?  Is it part of your soul path to be a loving care giver? If so, you are deeply appreciated. You deserve Juicy Self-Care.

Let's hear it for the Care Provider!

We see you caring for your patients and loved ones with compassion and kindness. We recognize that this is not an easy charge. It is often emotionally, spiritually and physically exhausting to care for someone who is experiencing major life changes and challenges.

Juicy Self-Care allows you to take time away from your daily activities. It encourages you to look within for what inspires and ignites you to feel the Joy in your day. Here in each moment is the perfect opportunity to pause and feel the essence of Life. To feel that cosmic pulse that unites us all in Divine Love.

It is important to love yourself. To treat yourself well. To Breathe....

Here is a simple breathing exercise to help open you to more Juicy Self-Care.

Come on. Do it right now.

Find a quiet place to be.

• Sit in a quiet place, spine and back comfortable. Use pillows if you need support.
• Rest your hands gently on your stomach.
• Breathe in deeply while thinking words like peace, love, Joy, calm, melt...
• Follow your breath to your stomach. Feel your hands rise and fall.
• Inhale--feel your hands rise gently.
• Exhale--feel your hands fall.
• Breathe for 20 counts..

Congratulations! You have just completed your first step to Juicy-Self Care. Be good to yourself. We need you spiritually, emotionally and physically grounded. We need you to celebrate the Joy in each moment!

With Deepest Gratitude...

We Are Team Qiana!

If you must know, the Olympics give me a delicious Rush. I am all about the spirit of excellence. I am inspired by the spirit of Oneness that connects all the Olympic hopefuls from all over the world.

How awe-inspiring to Live Your Dream out loud for the whole world to see. For the whole world to cheer you on.. Unlimited Possibilities... Unlimited DREAMS...

Qiana Martin is our Olympic Best! Qiana's DREAM is to be a global soccer ambassador. She wants to uplift the lives of children, families and athletes through the universal language of soccer. Qiana wants to play on the US women's soccer team at the 2012 Olympics. She has followed her heart and is in the UK open for her opportunity.

She wants to change lives in a most positive and powerful way.

We are Team Qiana! What we know is that Qiana Martin has already changed thousands of lives as her story unfolds. Her journey is abundant with "Leaps of Faith" and "Letting Go" experiences. Her adventures have left us waving pom-poms and cheering for what she has accomplished and for what amazing things are yet to come.

We are Team Qiana! We send the Power of Love, Universal Strength, Spiritual Harmony, Supreme Grace to Qiana. We know all that happens is for the Highest Good for her and for our entire world!

Peace and Joy,
Vickie

Qiana's Yahoo! UK interview:

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/ news/life-changed-olympic- moment-165400566.html

Her Website: 


http://www.qianamartin.com

Salvador, Bahia, Is a Land of Joy Bringers

All my Brazilian friends told me that if I had not been to Bahia, Brazil, I had not seen the true Brazil. They went on to describe the joyful vibrancy of the art, music, dance, food and people that make Bahia so special. I had to get to Bahia!

So, four invitations later I finally made it to Salvador, Bahia with my friend Lara and her family. It turned my world inside out. The chapter in Joy Bringers entitled: I Hear a Symphony describes my transformational experience.

Enjoy some of my favorite moments in Bahia.

In honor of Sao Joao Batista (St. John the Baptist) pray for a new love in your life.

It's festival time in Chapada!

This Tree of Life inspires you to move beyond your past pains and live the beauty and joy of your present.

Bahian Fishing Boats...

People travel from all over the world to come to Igreja de Bonfim to offer healing prayers for their loved ones.

Me inside the cavern where I heard the transforming sounds of Divine Music...

 The Golden Water of Chapada

 Maria, Lara and Me
On the way to my Last Supper in Bahia. The food was amazing!

Simple Pleasure 2---In Brazil

As I prepare to return to the US, thoughts of how much I love Brazil flow through my day... Brazil uplifts, inspires and renews my soul. I completed two more Joy Bringers books here. One is a children's book entitled: Joy Bringer Baby. The other continues with the Joy series as it focuses on helping care providers. The title of the book is, Bringing Joy to the Care Provider. You will be the first to know when they are published. The Joy Bringers' message continues!

Enjoy these beautiful moments of Brazilian Joy!

Praia Sunaga

Ilhabela from the sea....

On of my favorite churches in Brazil... The church at Paraty, Rio de Janeiro

Sunrise....

Waiting for the Indian Festival to begin...

Life is a Dance! Celebrate the Joy in Each Moment! Me in the Ilhabela Carnival!

I love Yoga! This is me soaring with my yoga teacher and friend LiLi.


 

 

 

Simple Pleasures Bring Me Joy--In Brazil

When I arrived in Brazil recently I felt this intense rush of Joy.... I felt myself sparkling and shimmering with delight. I am grateful for simplicity... I am grateful to find and experience pleasure with lush nature and vibrant colors. I am grateful to be surrounded by loving, nurturing and supportive friends. As my feet connect to the earth here in Brazil, my heart beats, Joy! Joy! Joy! with each step I take.

I want to share with you some of my simple pleasures here in Brazil. Enjoy!

This hammock is where I began to write the affirmations for Joy Bringers.

Lush nature in my front yard...

Ilhabela fishing boats

Me and the Eternal Mermaid

My kitchen table

I gaze upon beauty. The words flow like the Amazon River.

Joy Bringer Travel Tips

A Joy Bringer Goes to Italy!

I am in Rome, Italy! This is a Big Dream come true for me. As a child, I was captured by all the intrigue and drama of Roman history. All the plots to gain material power were fascinating to me. And yet there was always a deeper calling for my soul... The art and creativity took my breath away.

It still does. I am here in this beautiful country of Italy celebrating a Big Birthday. I am staying in this wonderful bed and breakfast inn called Angolo Romano, in Vatican City. I love inns because I feel so at home. Gianfranco, the owner of the inn is an extremely gracious host. He is warm and friendly and wants you to have the best experience in Rome possible. I am.

In the last few days, I have walked the streets of Rome with heart-felt Joy. Italy is truly a country of Joy Bringers. I have Romed Rome! I move through this experience, aware of a deeper rhythm to this city that transcends all the cars, tourists and thrill seekers. There is a spirit of Joy that urges you to live life to the fullest. To grab your Joy and dance with it until the breath leaves your body. It is an invitation to be present with a heart full of Joyful Anticipation.

Yes, I have wonderful pictures and great mini videos capturing my stay here in Italy. I will be posting them soon. Oh, and did I tell you that I unexpectedly strolled into a carnaval celebration with vibrant colors, music and a parade?  Divine Flow... Tomorrow I intend to visit Florence and feel the magic of Tuscany.

I am a Joy Bringer in a land of Joy Bringers! My soul feels tingly... This feels like home...

Peace and Love,
Vickie

Bringing in a New Year of Joy, Peace and Love!

What an exciting time to be alive. We are present when the new is happening every day. We are alive during this tremendous time of transformation. We are awakening or we have finally awakened to the Divine Truth that we create our own world of experiences.

We choose what we want to experience. Choice is freedom and thoughts of freedom lead us into the unlimited. Divine Source is Unlimited Possibilities and Explosive Abundance.

Should we choose, we can acknowledge that life is full of infinite Abundance and Prosperity. We can express gratitude for the Abundance that is ever present in our lives. Life is rich with experiences that elevate us out of that which restricts or limits us.

Just a few short years ago, I teetered on the edge of restrictive thoughts. If I had accepted the traditional path scripted for me, I would not be traveling and writing. I would be waiting for retirement and feeling I had no choices.

Bound by traditions and a false sense of security...

I chose to take the Leap and follow my Dreams. Yes, it did get quite scary at times. I chose to rename that sensation. I chose to call that breathless jittery feeling of uncertainty, Joyful Anticipation.

And here we are. I am ablaze with Joyful Anticipation. This is an exciting New Year full of new experiences. What Joy! Joy Bringers is launched.

This promises to be a year of expansion and enlightenment.

I feel alive with wonder! Join me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibMjYZF66QA

Easy Joy

Most of us acknowledge with deep appreciation that this is a very special time of the year. This is a time when we are gifted with the opportunities of recharging that which spiritually inspires us, counting our Blessings and being grateful for the Life Gifts that come our way. These Gifts of Life help make us clearer and brighter.

It is important for us to go into our own Spiritual Closets for quiet meditative time. A few moments stepping away from what you think you "should" be doing will help you connect to a more Divine Flow of activities. Divine Flow is freer, happier and easier.

Easy is the key. Focus on how easy things flow in and out of your life. This easy Divine Flow brings you exactly what you need and desire at the perfect time. 

Divine Flow also takes away and dissipates what no longer serves your Highest Good in this present moment.

As you move through this time, remember... Easy...

Peace and Joy,
Vickie