…Santa Fe?
Remember the song by Dion Warwick, Do you know the way to San Jose? I’ve been humming it a lot these days because Ken, Rudy, Dakota and I are about to break out of our comfort zone and embark on a new, exciting, thrilling, frightening, and ultimately exquisite adventure. No, we’re not moving to San Jose, California but instead, we are moving to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
What?????
Yup, that is pretty much everyone’s reaction including our own. Ken and I identify as Californians through and through but as you know from my previous blog, we’ve been having a long-standing discussion about what we are going to do with the second half of our lives. Somehow this period of time has arrived, faster than we ever imagined.
We had been looking at many places throughout California and Oregon for close to a year but when a certain house popped up online – we knew it wasn’t just a house, this beautiful light filled dwelling was going to be our home. And at the end of May we will be packing up our beloved dogs, all of their supplies, a knapsack for Ken and I, and we are driving due east to the Land of Enchantment and The City Different.
Saying Goodbye is Hard to Do
This is a severe understatement. Sharing the news with my friends and family has produced tears, brought up some fears, and broken some hearts but my hope is that our home will become a destination that our loved ones can enjoy as much as we will.
Santa Fe is a pretty cool town dominated by art, culture, nature, and a quietness to the land that I have never experienced anywhere else. I plan on writing a lot more books, giving more talks to benefit animals, practicing acupuncture, health coaching, and learning archery. I also look forward to engaging with the abundant animal lovers and vegans in the area.
When it Rains it Pours
Of course, a move like this has created a whirlwind in our household. So many things to do! And because I have so little time on my hands, what better time than in the middle of a move to launch a new book? Paws for the Good Stuff has just gone to the illustrator and my hope is to launch it by mid-July. Will keep you posted!
Oh and….I just got accepted to do a TEDx talk on the east coast in July! The topic will be on the Animal-Human Health Connection and I’ve got a super cool twist to the ending of my talk. Will keep you posted about that too!
Oh and….”Dog as My Doctor, Cat as My Nurse,” continues to thrive. Recently my book won the gold in its category at the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards. I wasn’t able to go to Austin to accept the award but my publisher did on my behalf. Ok, it’s not an academy award, but I was excited!
Breaking out of The Comfort Zone
Neale Donald Walsch says “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Moving to Santa Fe, publishing a book, doing a TEDx talk – that’s certainly moving out of my comfort zone in a big way. But the truth is, nature has a way of gently encouraging you out of your comfort zone every single day when you tune into her.
Taking a new route while walking your dog, choosing to look up at the sky instead of focusing on your repetitive thoughts, enjoying the present moment versus giving in to texting and other distractions – these are the small but powerful ways that we can focus on going out of our comfort zone. So many of us have a harder time going within, being quiet, and listening to our inner nature. Sometimes it’s much easier to go out of your comfort zone in a big way rather than facing ourselves and growing from within.
I’m lucky to have two dogs who teach me that regardless of life’s challenges, every day is a new day to be lived, to be enjoyed, and to be curious enough to peek over the fence, sniff it out, and see what treats lies on the other side of the comfort zone.
Stay Pawsitive,
Carlyn MDO
Ps: Have you taken The Quiz yet? Not sure what I’m talking about? Click Here and find out!
PPS: If your mom loves animals considering gifting her my book and guarantee yourself a spot as her favorite child:)
Available online or order from your favorite bookstore!
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