The Bayon Temple of the Angkor Wat Archaeological Complex in Cambodia presents 54 towers decorated with 216 statues of enigmatic smiling faces over 6 feet high.
When is the last time you changed things up?
When is the last time Life offered you an opportunity, and you took it, with a resounding YES?!
When is the last time you felt ALIVE?
This is your natural state--one of this ALIVENESS and an ability to be grounded and seeing what Life has coming your way, and the confidence to make choices with whatever arrives.
Medieval village of Rocamadour by a misty and sunny day. In the middle ages, pilgrims come here and ascend 216 steps on their knees to go to the shrine of Our Lady at the top of the cliff.
Yesterday was a school holiday. Anthony and a classmate and his parents went to a local theme park.
I had to work.
Over the weekend I had traded call assignments to be able to have one of the shorter days in the O.R. And you know, my day was pretty stressful. Due to a 'squeeze in a case here'--which I did, a late cardiologist there (30 minutes), and a surgeon who was totally late so I had to do the other anesthesiologists following case in a different room....as well as being thrown a new trial anesthesia machine and I was the first to do a case on it (a representative was in the room, to help me)--I was really, um, stressed out.
I was sleepy.
I never had my coffee.
But when I got home, I got a text from the mom, saying, 'we wish you were here'.
And I thought about it.
I took the chance!
I drove one hour to meet up with them.
My rationale? A little bit of a visit to that place is better than no visit at all. And life is short!
I had two hours with them, and afterwards we went to their favorite Italian restaurant in the area.
I had an espresso for the drive home, and I was very happy I went.
This photo above of the French Town -- which might possibly have links to the Holy Family back in the day, who knows--is to remind you Gaia doesn't want you to be a martyr. Not unless it is in your life script and you sense this and be okay with it.
Gaia wants you to be free--you don't have to climb stairs on your knees. Use your feet. And get outside your comfort zone. Try something new to give your heart that zing and that thrill of enjoying life.
Palamidi is a fortress in the town of Nafplio in the Peloponnese, Greece. Nestled on the crest of a 216-metre high hill, the fortress was built by the Venetians
If you feel drawn to Italy, you can always travel there. The first time isn't easy to make a big trip. Mine was to Lourdes, France as a graduation present to myself after medical school.
I found another congregation member at my church who was a travel agent. And she helped me plan it, one I could afford. She also had been many times, and new the safer neighborhoods in Paris for me to stay when I visited there too. Her expertise taught me to buy train tickets always in First Class. It's worth it. And for sure, on the train at night to Lourdes, I slept with my backpack on forwards, and my feet on my luggage. Third class kept trying to sneak into first, they were boorish and loud. But the porter kept making them go back. I don't think they would have liked an American visitor.
Just even being on the Air France economy seat heading to Paris was a thrill! The little lunch with the wine and the cheese made me feel like I was already living my dream...
So if you want to do something BIG, pray on it, and ask to be guided to the right people to help you find your way.
You will know in your heart they are good people and you can trust them. There is a grace and ease to it.
And if you like, you can start a little 'mad money' bank account or piggy bank, to help you splurge when the time is right. Remember to pay yourself first...
Our countdown number is 216 days until 'life will be remarkably better' as promised back at day 365 by The Council.
Every day we count down is exciting in and of itself.
Something better IS really exciting.
Rome, Italy - September 18, 2014: Tourists visiting Baths of Caracalla. It were the second largest Roman public baths, built in Rome between AD 212 and 216, during the reign of the Emperor Caracalla. The baths remained in use until the 6th century.
Let's get back to the dream trip to Italy of yours. You've got your dream, you've prayed on it, and you've set up your piggy bank of sorts. You have a purpose.
Why wait?
You can read a travel book or watch travel videos?
You can visit an Italian market near you and enjoy the food.
You can even download the app DuoLingo TODAY and begin learning how to speak and read Italian!
Whatever brings the excitement and enthusiasm to you--even a beautiful cup of coffee like my nana used to make it--in a percolator with a little stick of cinnamon broken up in pieces with the coffee in that basket--and an italian cookie--is a start to living your dream.
NOVYY URENGOY, RUSSIA - APRIL 6: Undefined competitor's BRP Ski-Doo Snowmobile No. 216 competes at the annual Russia Snowcross Championship on April 6, 2013 in Novyy Urengoy, Russia.
Some people like the snow.
Some people travel to it.
You might have lived in it forever but when you were a kid there was something about it you found to be fun.
Go and see the snow if you don't live in it. Plan a trip for the weekend with friends. Have a snowball fight! Build a snowman! Enjoy the crunch of snow under your feet, the silence of winter, and the brisk air. You can crunch a wintergreen Lifesaver candy in your mouth in the dark with your smile open and make some sparks too. It's piezoelectric and you can see the sparks at night.
Even take a sleigh ride.
Don't let it stop you.
Fun is as natural to you as breathing!
Bucegi Mountains, Romania - August 6, 2016: People come to contemplate, meditate or rest at Sphinx, the famous sacred megalith with human face likeness located at 2,216 m altitude in Bucegi Mountains.
You don't have to go to Romania to meditate. Meditation is a world of its own. Just watch your breathing and relax in a comfortable position.
This is when I leave my body and go places with Ross or my teams.
I see all kinds of things, and don't have any expectations.
You might notice a warmth or a nudge at first, that's them. Just relax and let what is meant to be happen...xoxoxo
Ask your angels and guides to be present and you will always be okay.
BROOKFIELD, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 7, 2016: Brookfield Zoo Sign. The zoo, which opened on July 1, 1934, encompassing 216 acres is managed by the Chicago Zoological Society.
Do you like animals?
Why not visit them?
In medical school I studied at the San Diego Zoo, right by the gorilla exhibit waterfalls. We had student admission rates. The zoo makes me feel so alive and connected to nature.
And in Residency, there was no zoo, but I would go to pet shops or fish shops to admire the animals, to pet them, and to watch the tanks of fish.
A friend who has a friendly dog might make a nice visit for some warmth, friendship, and your 'dog fix'...
If you are able, you might consider fostering a pet, or getting one yourself.
Pets bring us purpose and joy. And also, they soothe the blood pressure just to have a soft friend you can pet at the end of a long day. Research it. Don't do this on a whim. But if it's right for you, there are many pets in need of a good home.
KALKAN, TURKEY - MAY 22 Narrow streets of Kalkan town in Mediterranean Turkey with stone houses cobblestone paved road restaurants and shops with blue sky and clouds 216
Why not visit a different neighborhood?
Or take a different way home?
Ninh Binh, Vietnam - December 30, 216: Tourists on boats in Nnh Binh popular tourist destination.
Why not try a new type of food you've never had before? You can look up a recipe at home and make it, or try a restaurant.
I adore Vietnamese food. Even the fish sauce. You never know if you don't try something new!
Bloukrans bridge was completed in1984, and is now the world's highest commercially operated bungee jump, a 216 meter leap into the ravine
If you seek a little adventure, it's out there, waiting for you!
An unidentified male bungee jumper in the worlds highest commercial bungee jump at the Bloukrans Bridge, at 216 meter, the highest bridge in Africa
Just make sure the 'adventure' is safe.
One around here Anthony enjoys is the K-1 motor racing, with mini sports cars that are electric.
We've done a zip line together once too.
Structure 216 at the archaeological site Yaxha, Guatemala
You can channel the energy of these beautiful places while enjoying a cup of coffee from Guatemala.
And if you are into Kona coffee, the beans are the same kind as grown in Guatemala, but they taste different because of the water and growing conditions.
I learned that on a coffee plantation trip.
Structure 216 at the archaeological site Yaxha, Guatemala
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 1, 2017: 216 Grishin Nikolay (Serpukhov) class OPEN-ABCD, in the Velyaminovo Race Weekend 2017, Motopark Velyaminovo, Istrinsky district
Go ahead and get messy and into whatever it is you do. From a big thing, to a little thing, even for a bike ride around the park...you can be in your mind a famous motocross driver as you go...
MOSCOW, RUSSIA - JULY 1, 2017: 216 Grishin Nikolay (Serpukhov), the class "OPEN-ABCD", in the Velyaminovo Race Weekend 2017, Motopark Velyaminovo, Istrinsky district
You will fly and soar with your heart filled with your dreams you are making come true! Even if its a little sliver of your big dream at a time.You will be glad you did!
Aloha and Mahalos,
Namaste,
Peace,
Ross and Carla
The Reiki Doc Couple
