Bali OH Bali

I hope someday all of you get to experience the island of Bali. I had no expectations. I didn’t know a damn thing about Bali other than what I’d seen in a few pictures. I did minimal research, so I didn’t have grandiose expectations.

I went for a retreat. A healing retreat. Again, I didn’t know what to expect.
I went alone.
Traveling alone through multiple foreign countries teaches you A LOT about yourself. You learn to adapt. You learn how to communicate with hand signals and a smile. You learn that people are kind and helpful and willing to help.
The retreat was five days of intense teachings. I’m not going to go into a lot here because everyone has a very different experience depending on what they were willing to get vulnerable about. Some deep shit, some not so deep shit, but all SHIT that people carry on their shoulders for years. Shit that impacts every decision and every thought. Shit that needs to be let go.

I learned a lot about forgiveness. I learned a lot about boundaries. I learned a lot about myself. What I deserve. What serves me (and what doesn’t).
I met with the most spiritual man i’ve ever met, a Balinese holy man/healer. He read me and did a healing. For all of you skeptics…keep being skeptical. Until you experience this life changing, transforming experience you wouldn’t understand.
He told me a lot about myself and about the people I’ve surrounded myself with. We prayed, we meditated, and we healed. It was so damn powerful and life-changing and that’s all i can say that sums it up.
I did excursions. I trekked through rice paddies and through the jungle (in 90% humidity). We released endangered baby turtles, we spent a day at the beach. We went to Tirta Empul Water Temple and cleansed ourselves and our souls in the water fountains (this was also life changing).
Travel.
Travel alone.
Travel to BALI!
Meet new people, people not like you.
Listen more, talk less.
LEARN THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF.
Let go of people that no longer serve you.
Love.
Smile.
Find a healer.
Find a guide.
Those two will be your friends for life.
Let go of hurt, insecurities and anything else weighing you down. It’s imperative to live a healthy life.

If there is ONE thing you do, I want you to study the Hindu religion. This is what humanity is about and what we should all strive to be!
I shopped in the markets of Ubud (the city we stayed in). I ate Balinese food (and even tacos…surprisingly damn good Mexican food 1/2 way around the world). I’ve never met nicer people than the Balinese. Genuinely caring, kind, welcoming people. I’ve never hugged so many strangers and made so many friendships from complete strangers.
I will 100% be going back to Bali. It wasn’t a vacation, it was a life changing experience. YOU DESERVE BALI too!
My retreat was through Holy Healing Bali Follow them on FB and/or Instagram. They share a lot of good shit.
I’m exhausted. Mentally and physically, but in the best possible way. I’m empowered with a new mentality and perspective and only have space for things that will benefit me (mentally, spiritually, etc.)
#Namaste
ETA: ONE OTHER COMMENT. Getting to Bali isn’t cheap. There are no $99 one way Southwest fares. I made the conscience decision to give myself this gift. I sacrificed a years worth of book signings (what I’d spend on table fees, airfare, swag, shipping, food, etc.) to take this trip. Where there is a will there is a way. YOU DESERVE this and when you’re ready, you’ll make it happen!