Tag: #liveyourbestlife

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

What does success look like?

March 29, 2018March 29, 2018 emyminzel

I believe success is defined by a subjective point view. What one person consider successful, another may disagree because they view what success means differently. Some people believe lots of money, cars, houses, boats, and toys of all kinds means you are successful in life.

Is that true for everyone? I don’t think so.

Yes, money and all the things it can buy will help you live a more comfortable life. There are plenty of people who have all the money they need and all the stuff they ever wanted, and yet, they’re emotionally miserable because they may not have what they truly need. I believe people need things that cannot be bought and paid for like time, family, dear friends, connection with others, and the feeling of belonging. These ‘free’ things, that are often disregarded when talking about success, are more important then they get any credit for.

I believe being happy and content in the life you live is success. If you can look in the mirror and say “hey, you did your best today. I still like you. You were kind to everyone and everything. Your friends and family still love you” then today was a success! I believe that having a roof over my head, food on the table, love and a purpose to get up in the morning (even on days the only good reason to get up is to feed the dogs I adore and love so much it may be beyond normal)… this is what truly fills my heart when it comes down to it. To me, that is success.

Even when funds seem tight, I still consider my life successful because I have worked hard on being the kind of person I view as successful, which is kind, compassionate, adventurous, smart, and ambitious. I’ve been working on myself to be the best person I can be, and it has been paying off mind, body and spiritually. I decided to set goals for myself and keep them, I decided to forgive myself, I decided to love and respect myself, I decided to treat my body better. I try every day to meet these goals and that feels great.

I have wonderful family and friends that love me through the mistakes or miscommunications. I feel as though I have a wonderful support system of loved ones, which in turn has taught me to try and be as supportive to others as I feel supported. Being thankful for the people, pets, opportunities and situations that bring me joy and allow me to be authentically me help me feel successful.

How do you view success? What does it look like to you? Go kick butt by being you today! Success is what you make of it.

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

Dear Millennial’s, I believe in you

February 27, 2018March 24, 2018 emyminzel

Dear Millennial’s,

I am sorry you did not have the chance to live in the simplistic childhood us ‘older’ people had the privilege to enjoy. I am only twenty years older than you though it sounds like a lot of years, it’s not. When I was young we got to run our neighborhoods from sun up until sundown without having to ‘check in’ too often because we felt safe and so did our parents.

Never once did I fear someone snatching me while playing outside with my friends on the other side of town. Never once was I scared or even slightly concerned about being shot at school. Never once were we scared to leave home without a phone. We are only a few decades apart give or take, yet our childhoods were completely different.

If I was scared, I could knock on any of my neighbor’s doors and know for certain I could find refuge or help I needed as a child. I was raised a free-range kid and I loved every bit of it. I was given responsibility and trust to behave myself to hold my friend’s hands while crossing the street on the way to the corner candy store to spend .50 cents and get a half a brown bag full of penny candies or a giant freeze pop the size of my seven-year-old body.

Can you imagine letting your seven-year-old out of your sight now days? Its unheard of. You would never see a child in the store by themselves today. But for me and the neighborhood kids back in the eighties it was common daily occurrence if we were lucky enough to get some spare change from our parents. The world we lived in wasn’t nearly as scary as the world we raised you in. I am so sincerely sorry for that.

We got our driver’s license at sixteen without all the fuss you go through today. Drivers Ed was provided at school it was the coolest, we learned to drive with our friends or classmates in the car. We were given more responsibility which made us feel like we had freedom to roam the world at sixteen. It’s incredibly hard to get a job at sixteen now, I’ve discovered most places wont even hire you until your eighteen.

In the 90’s there were plenty of jobs to go around I was working for Burger King at the age of 14 which wasn’t the worst thing in the world because it gave me money to spend at the roller skating rink or for gas to cruise the main street. Our childhoods and school year experiences were drastically different then yours. If we had a problem with someone it never occurred to us that they may shoot us. There were fist fights behind the school, no weapons allowed. Not anything to be proud of, there were bullies, but no body died.

Your generation is one of the first to be bombarded by over stimulation constant information overwhelming you with real news, fake news, bullshit unrealistic programs like the Kardashians and scare tactic news. There is no scientific study that I know of that shows the effect of over stimulation to children but your it, you’re the experiment and I feel like you must learn how to shut it off.

I promise it’s okay and necessary to unplug. You must learn to go outside and cut the noise, so you can listen to the voice inside of you that knows the beautiful soul you are. When you take time preferably out in nature to quiet your mind, magical things happen, you heal yourself from the inside out. This constant noise is not normal, it is not the way of the world, you can and must relax and step away from technology and into nature as often as possible. Its imperative to your soul. Please take to heart that nobody can make you happy but you. Happiness is an inside job.

I am a late bloomer, I went back to school in my thirties and got to borrow money with high interest rates just like you. Had I chosen to go to college at 18 I would have qualified for help and gone to college for a discounted rate that doesn’t seem to be an option for many students now days. I understand the unfairness of the financial burdens thrust upon you just to try and get a head with your education in the real world. This was not always the way of our country, and I do not understand why older people can’t or choose not to see that. Please know we are not all like that. I see you and I feel compassion for your uphill fight.

I am sorry older generations belittle your contribution to the world when what you truly bring to society is compassion and sensitivity to a hardened world that sorely needs you. Please do not give up, I believe in you. I support your drive and passion for a healthier planet, and a more inclusive community, country and world. I love how your generation is unconditionally accepting and supportive of others who are labeled different then you. I see how you care for other less fortunate, I see how beautiful you really are.

I understand that the few of you are caught up in drugs or called trouble or labeled as lazy, but this is the way of the world in all generations. Do not let the debauchery of a few mask the goodness of a whole generation of heart centered innovative creators of our future.

I am sorry society has been hell bent on heavily punishing you for mistakes instead of teaching you the right way and giving you the opportunity to grow and learn from them. I am sorry you had to be overwhelmed with more information you could handle before you were ten. You’ve had access to more information then the previous generations ever had before we were adults.

But listen to me, you are smarter than previous generations no matter what they tell you. Right now, in history you have more access to wisdom and power at your fingertips to learn all you ever wanted to know. You have this incredible opportunity to seize all the information you need to organize and change the world for the better. You are our future and I believe in you. I believe your generation will lead us into a sustainable healthier way of life.

Our older generations and the one before them were taught not to talk about politics or how much we got paid, women were not equal. If you were a minority well, I can’t speak to that, but this is why I love and believe in your generation. You are accepting of everyone no matter how different they are, you need to know how this is so important. Please use your dream of a better world to do what we did not know we could do.

We didn’t know we had any power or influence because we were purposely distracted from participating in how government was ran by being told it wasn’t ‘polite’ to talk about politics. I call BS. Being told to not talk about uncomfortable important stuff, led to dis-involvement in our community and we paid no attention to important deformation of our government that allowed giant gender pay gaps, corporate rule, and a patriarch society that we thought of as normal. Which it is not.

There is no greater transparency as there is today in how our systems are ran, we are at a point in history where we know what we are doing wrong and have science to prove how we can fix it. The dying old school way of ruling the free world with an iron fist in false fear and keep us from thinking you can make a difference. When reality is that you can, and I believe you will make the difference we need to see in the world. Millennial’s I believe in you.

Do not be scared to stand up for what you believe, it is imperative to the world that you do not shrink yourselves. Do not be scared to get involved in what makes you mad, moves your soul, or moves your passions. It is what you were born to do. Even if you can’t do exactly what it is you want, do something close that will lead you there eventually. Patience, dedication and putting one foot in front of the other no matter how long it takes is the only way to success no matter what the television tells you.

P.s. Turn off that stupid t.v. spend as little time as possible on the phone or computer, its keeping you distracted and scared of the beautiful world around you.

I believe when you participate in the world, you will change it for the better. This I know for sure. The world needs you, Millennials you are here for a reason, I believe in you. I believe in a kinder world, healthy environment, and fair government, I believe your generation is going to be the one to usher us in to the peace we are seeking. I believe when you start to pay attention to the workings of the world you will wake up and chose to change it for the better.

I believe you can use the information at your fingertips to research what is that calls to your soul. I believe your time is coming to make your voices heard. I believe that sometimes our children are much wiser then their parents who can be stuck in the illusion of ‘this is how we’ve always done it, so this is how it goes’ this way of thinking is just not healthy or right.

Do not let someone’s opinion of you mean more to you then your own opinion of you. You get to make the rules for your life and if you start now, the happier your future will be. I believe in you Millennials and all younger generations. I am so proud of you when you stand up for what is right, when you stand up for the underdog and when you stand up justice. This is your time to rise, your time to shed light on the world, its your time to be heard.

No matter what you think or been told, the world is listening to you. I am of an older generation and I believe in you.

“The vote is the most powerful form of protest you can do.” Congressman John Lewis

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

In mid-pursuit of Dreams, Goals, and Aspirations!

February 19, 2018February 20, 2018 emyminzel

I have a wide range of interests that keep me busy, my day job is rewarding and makes me feel purposeful, yet I still feel pushed by Spirit to do more. I have been writing books with my Adventure Sister Stacy with the hope and purpose of helping others grow, and learn, in ways that are helpful in everyday life. We would like to use our series of books to promote the importance of working together while encouraging our differences, in sisterhood, family, friendship, and in all areas of life while caring for each other and the planet.

We have been pursuing this goal for several years and we are smack dab in the middle of working hard for no ‘reward’ except the reward is that it feels right to our souls. It is the heartfelt passion and our will to help the greater good with our writing that keeps our project moving forward, one baby step after another. We are determined to make it happen.

I also have dreams of traveling the globe far and wide, gaining experiences of other places and cultures while writing about it on my hobby farm that will rescue farm animals, bees, chickens, cows, donkey, goats, you name it. I dream that this farm will be fully functioning while being surrounded by a magnificent permaculture food oasis for my family complete with a Walipini for winter gardening. You’re probably thinking “You’re nuts girl! Do you know how much work that is?!”

Yes, I do. I am aware of the insanity that drives me forward, it is my crazy creative life that keeps me dreaming these goals. I feel the pull to add in a little mix of corporate to my creative goals, I have been moved to explore the political world feeling the need to stand up to the injustices I see and now I am considering a run to represent my local district. Because why wouldn’t you add more work on top of the work you already have?!

During my spare time I refinish and repurpose old décor that can be brought to life and funkdified into something wonderful. I have a whole basement workshop full of half finished projects I would like to complete so I could sell them in a small boutique for extra travel money. Also, I create random pieces of art when called to do so. Did you see that?! Squirrel!

Is it possible to be a State Representative, Therapist, Author, Sanctuary Farmer, Permaculture enthusiast and Artist all at the same time? What keeps me holding on to these dreams while some of them have nothing to do with the other? Could I possibly find the time, money, and energy to pursue all of them? Would Spirit give me the desire to do all these things if it weren’t possible?

It would be possible to write and have a farm sanctuary that would be a dream come true. Yet like most people I still have a day job that pays the bills and we all know that’s just a little important if you like to eat. Like I said, I enjoy my ‘job’ it doesn’t feel like work because I find it rewarding. Yet I still aspire to do so much more, to live more sustainably in a way that supports my inner truth. Would I still be able to give my family and friends the time and attention they need to keep healthy happy relationships in the pursuit of my truth?

What goals are truly attainable? And which goals should I pull my energy from? I believe time is the most precious commodity humans are given, so I would like to put my ambitions into the things that will have the best outcome for my highest and greatest good. I am human and do not know what the future will bring, but I do know what I would like my future to look like. Goals, dreams and aspirations are good to have right?!

My husband is not on board with my hobby farm dreams unless he is guaranteed not to have to do any of the work. I understand this because these are not his dreams, they are mine, and it would not be fair to push them on to him and take up his time that is also his commodity to do with as he pleases. He still loves me, encourages me, and supports me in pursuit of my goals, and that’s what matters. I also realize I cannot achieve these goals alone.

Do I take the dreams and goals I can accomplish by myself and run with them? Do I then sacrifice the rest of my goals to the boulevard of broken dreams where what if’s live forever? Or… do I get to work recruiting the help I need? Did you know I hate to ask for help? Insert exasperated sign here. The self-imposed drama I tell you! Stacy just reminded me that the more I believe my dreams will come true the more likely they will be manifested! I know she is right. I must insist and persist, if I want them to exist!

I believe in manifestation, yet lately I feel that maybe I am trying to manifest too much??? Is that even possible to have too many dreams? I call BS on that thought. We are only on this planet for a short time, there is only so much we can accomplish that’s why what we chose to spend our time doing should be purposeful and meaningful. I believe we should pursue the things that bring us joy, contentment, and purpose that will fill our souls with resolve to persevere because it is your dream and you must.

To live in my integrity while it feels like I am chasing squirrels I will call on the spirit of my Dogs to see me through to fruition. Dogs are a great representative of dedication to what you love, they are steadfast in what they believe in and that is usually you. They are consistent, persistent, and insistent every day as reliable as the sun. If my dogs can believe in me so wholly and my families support is consistent, why can’t I believe in myself the same way?

These dreams are a way to support myself through living with purpose, to live in integrity with my beliefs feels vital at this point in my life. I believe the things that call to my soul and tug at my feelings, are my callings, they should at the very minimum be pursued until I clearly see that path isn’t for me. To know that I could fail but keep my hopes up that I will not. I see that Billy goat portage in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area is once again a poignant lesson in my life.

Billy goat portage was hard, very difficult for both of the Adventure Sisters, we did not anticipate the physical, and mental challenges that it gave us that day. We had brought so much stuff that we had to travel this difficult path six times to bring all our gear to the next portage. The Billy goat portage path taught me I am capable of doing way more then I think I can. It taught me that by keeping my head down in pursuit of just making it to the end, watching my footing and being careful not to trip up, I made it to the other side just fine. Having to travel that same obstacle six times makes me laugh in the comparison of persistence and dedication most goals and dreams require.

When Stacy and I got to the five-star campsite we were exhausted and starving we would spend the next five days nurturing our beaten and battered bodies while basking in the sun and floating in the lake, enjoying each other’s company and eating very well because we carried a ton of food in! It was the most rewarding vacation full of pride in our accomplishments, the teamwork built our trust and proved to us both we could rely on each other when it was difficult.

I have a team around me that will do the same, so I feel I must pursue each one of these squirrely dreams until the sucker really truly gets too far up the tree and away from me. If it does get away I will then know it wasn’t my path, keep going on the journey where the doors open, there is no need to break them down the ones meant for me will be ajar.

So here I go again chasing garden squirrels today too, excuse me while I go start my petunia seeds! I love to play in the dirt in the middle of a Minnesota winter. It brings me joy.

Be consistent, Be persistent, Be insistent ~ Congressman John Lewis

Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. – Senator Bill Bradley

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

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Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister

*Disclaimer ~ the photograph used in this blog I found many years ago on the internet and do not know who to give photo credit to. If by chance it is you I would gladly add your name to the photo that moved my soul.

https://youtu.be/6JCLY0Rlx6Q

Just Dance!

February 17, 2018February 17, 2018 emyminzel

It seems to me, somehow life snuck up on me and I got older, my gray hair is showing, the laugh lines around my eyes seem to stretch out further every year. My body acts differently then I am used to, but it still works fine and for that I am thankful. I love the person who I have grown into, my views on growing older have changed since you know, now I am old. The best part of growing older is learning who you really are inside and being confident to stand up for yourself and your beliefs. This may be just my opinion, but I really am enjoying the journey into midlife. I am in my early forties and I am finally able to really embrace the uniqueness that makes me; me.

I had a random thought that moved me to write about a topic that I haven’t participated in since the last wedding I attended. Dancing! I have found one thing I do not enjoy about growing older is the lack of dancing. I love, love, love to dance and now that I am too old to go clubbing on the weekends and attending concerts is difficult because ticket prices have gone astronomically crazy since ‘back in my day’. (Insert old fart saying here) So… it got me wondering, how do I keep the music alive?

I love to jam out, let my soul get all tangled up in the music so it moves me until my hair is wet with sweat, I am out of breath and need to rest before I can start dancing some more. Now the only time I work up a sweat is when its summer, I am in the garden or I am on the treadmill. That’s not okay with me. I need to figure out how to find the right atmosphere for shaking my tush because that’s something I still like to do!

There are plenty of people much older then I, who enjoy or even compete in swing dance or any kind of dance they prefer. Why is it that I can’t seem to find the right venue, time or people to want to dance with? I used to run with a fun rowdy crowd that loved to find local bands or concerts where we could go dance and have tons of fun. This no longer happens because they are older too, kids, jobs, time, good excuses but still excuses not to dance!

Dancing is not a priority in most peoples lives, there are plenty of things that top the list for good reason. I am finding after years of not dancing until there is a wedding it seems there’s no longer opportunities to dance in my adulthood, and this has bummed me out. Dancing is good for your body mind and spirit connection! It is scientifically proven that our bodies and brains react to the music in positive ways and we all know we need more exercise. I find it almost impossible to be cranky when I am dancing don’t you? This may be why I crave it so much???

I think it makes sense to dance MORE when we age so we can add more joy, music, exercise and entertainment to our lives, because this is when we need it the most! Growing older is not a bad thing, we just tend to be more in our heads then our bodies. Just thought I’d let you in on that secret. We don’t have to give up everything we enjoyed because now we are adults. So, don’t believe the hype if that’s what you’ve heard. It’s more than okay to still shake ya rump even if your over forty.

At times when I find I don’t have to have anyone to dance with my husband doesn’t dance, and my girlfriends are busy. I just remind myself “You can’t make others do something they don’t want to do!” that doesn’t stop me from wanting to dance! I choose to take full responsibility to fulfill this need in myself. I choose to take the opportunities of alone time that I am blessed with to turn up the Bose radio and get down in the living room/kitchen at any random time, or even while I am tidying around the house. Because why not?!

Dancing relieves stress, the music pumps up your chakras and basically flips on your happy switch. Its hard to misunderstand, bicker or argue with others when you are dancing, because dancing unites us and brings all walks of life together. I believe there is power in letting loose and dancing so I am bucking the norm’s of aging letting my freak flag fly and choosing to shake my badonkadonk and rock out right here in the kitchen.

I chose to dance any chance I can get. In fact, There’s a dance party for one in my house today! I hope you find time to let your hair down in the way that brings you joy!

OOOhhhh HOOoooo shut up and dance with me!

Here is a link to a song that never fails to get me moving, I hope it helps you too!

Wishing you an abundance of joyful blessings,

Emy Minzel ~ Adventure Sister

Follow the Adventure Sisters on Facebook!

Stacy Crep ~ Adventure Sister