Jake's Weekly Flow #38

Weekly Flow #38 - September 23rd, 2023

Dear, Pilgrim
 
Welcome to my weekly flow of news, events, insightful perspectives, and impactful stories aimed at creating positive change in your life and the lives you touch, at home and on the road.
 
My curious mind, intuitive soul, and big heart, along with some personal connections and crushes on extraordinary humans have put me in a position to receive an abundance of practical information, exciting innovation, and profound wisdom, usually travel-related, that has flowed to me, and now, on to you. Before you scan, take a breath, tune in, open up to the flow, and find your glow.

• Was in London yesterday for some meetings, including a stop by The Self Space. Located in the hip and cool shopping district of Soho in London and with other locations, they’re bringing therapy out in the open, offering both in-person and virtual therapy that allows for on-going and accessible mental health maintenance. As they’re website says, we’re all a bit messy sometimes, a little upside down. I’m a big fan of therapy, the last 6 months specifically and would love to see this shift from a perception of weakness to an appreciation of someone’s strength. In my mind, we’re on a life of healing and the more support we get, the better. They also wrote a book, “How to Grow Through What You Go Through.” by Jodie Cariss and Chance Marshall

• Have you heard of the Inner Development Goals? If not, I invite you to watch the video. You’ll see yet another example of how more and more people and organizations are understanding that real change comes from the inside out, including achieving the UN’s Global Sustainability Development Goals. 

• Happy Fall for those in the Northern Hemisphere! This is my most favorite seasons, and I am proud to say that Olive and I decided to get our Halloween decorations out at the end of August! HAHA! If you’re with me, here is 23 Fabulous Fall Getaways for 2023 including some spookier events and haunts - “Our annual guide to the best fall festivals and event destinations across the nation and world” - by Taking the Kids

• Whether you’re a traveler or in tourism, I invite you to tune into our new YouTube series below, "Travel and the Search for Meaning." While I'm no Phil Donahue or Geraldo Rivera yet, and the audio isn't working well in the forest, I think these are going well. Stay tuned!

• In or aspire to be in tourism and want to join me in Brazil? Here is your personal invitation to join 125 other changemakers at Transcend ‘24 in Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul. on April 8th to 12th, 2024. Transcend is a gathering at the confluence of transformational travel and climate action. Hosting Transcend '24 holds great significance for Mato Grosso do Sul, a state known for its natural beauty, diverse ecosystems, and rich cultural heritage. Bruno Wendling, Director of Fundação de Turismo do Mato Grosso do Sul, the government organization responsible for promoting tourism in the state, notes, "By hosting this event, Mato Grosso do Sul can highlight its leadership in sustainable and responsible tourism practices, attracting like-minded travelers seeking authentic and immersive experiences." Jake Haupert, says “Climate action is vital to transformative sustainable development, and at Transcend ‘24, we will facilitate dialogue on how transformational travel shifts mindsets and cultivates a sense of stewardship, regenerative behaviors, and making better choices at home and on the road.”

And finally … Our small group of Pilgrims start walking ‘The Way’ on Sunday! We’re all meeting Saturday night, many for the first time at our welcome dinner. Joao and Nuno, with Walking Mentorship, and our guides, in more ways than one, offered us some prompts to ponder in preparation for the Camino de Santiago… many of them about our relationships … Our personal ones, who are we around, what do they mean to us, and our occupation, and our living situation, and simply how are we feeling and how do we want to feel. All meant to help us identify and connect with what shapes our lives, who we are, why, and start to grow into who we want to become. 
 
My cosmic friend, MJ, has been quietly guiding me into this experience as well, sharing the below poem, of which flows on to you. I’ll be reciting this to the group on this fateful and beautiful evening under the stars in Spain. And YES, my soul is singing. 

My Soul Sings – Sarah Justine Packwood
My soul sings to the trees by the light of the morning,
And dances in the breeze to herald the dawning of
Hope in my heart as a new day arrives,
Under radiant sun my whole being thrives,
Upon walking the Way in the path of the ancients,
Who accompany me beyond time and space
And I know I am not alone.
My soul sings to the birds to join in their symphony,
And floats above phrase and cadence of rhapsody,
Creating harmonics from music so pure,
My heartstrings vibrate to the melody’s allure,
Upon hearing the Way proclaimed in fine birdsong,
My body, an instrument, to this orchestra belongs,
And hums along to its soul-tune.
My soul sings to the flowers in the warmth of the noonday,
And paints kaleidoscope hues on meadows at play,
With butterflies and bees it flit-flutters about,
Their display lifts mine eyes from within to without,
Upon seeing the Way cloaked in myriad colours,
My consciousness shifts to uncover the wonders,
Of creation, and I kneel down.
My soul sings to the mountains, the rocks, and the earth,
And beats Gaia’s rhythm to welcome the birth,
Of a new phase of grace that will touch all who know,
To heed the pilgrim’s call to get up and go,
Upon feeling the Way safe and sure ‘neath my feet,
Where sole of pilgrim shoe and gravel path meet,
And I urge my feet to walk on.
My soul sings to the lakes in the silvery twilight,
And murmurs to waterfalls and rivers of might,
That water the gardens of the grain and the vine,
Which produce humble fayre of the bread and the wine,
Upon tasting the Way presented at table,
A feast fit for kings where pilgrims assemble,
And I feel like I have come home.
My soul sings to the people of all tribes and tongues,
The quick and the slow ones, the old and the young,
Who converge on the trail to follow the signs,
And delight in the source of all energy divine,
Upon speaking the Way in kind whispers of care,
From one heart to another they render souls bare,
And I intuit we are one.
My soul sings to the moon and stars of the night sky,
And rises up to orbit the planets on high,
Where mysteries are coded in patterns above,
To reveal to us signs we are closer to love,
Upon being the Way pilgrims may never cease,
To transform the sword’s blade into justice and peace,
And I believe heaven is here.

Finally, a little quote that I always surface as I prepare for a journey … “Every great quest, starts with a great question.”  
 
Walk on, 

Jake Haupert 
Co-Founder & CEO
Transformational Travel Council
www.transformational.travel | LinkedIn

P.S. We invite you to support our vision for a more ethical and impactful tourism! We appreciate the generous support of our fellow changemakers! Please consider making a one-time or recurring donation to the Transformational Travel Institute!