This morning, wading through my email, I opened my e>v newsletter that came this week, e>veryday. If you aren't getting the newsletter, click here. (Ok, I opened it earlier this week, but it was so chock full of awesome, I knew I'd have to come back to it again and again.) In it, this month at e>v we are all about the practice and power of gratitude. With the American holiday Thanksgiving right around the corner, we thought we'd get a head start on digging into this thing of beauty.

One idea from e>veryday is to create a gratitude top ten list every morning – even if all you can muster at first is that you're grateful to be actually making a list. It may sound weird, but it honestly changes the whole tone of the day into a space of newness and possibility.

Now stop.
Right here, now.
Back away from the glowing screen, grab your favorite pen that writes so beautifully, and a notebook, napkin or the last thank you card in the box of 12, and write your list.

You'll be so grateful you did.

So I was out and about last night and *wham*, there it was. An image, a reminder, a signpost in my day of ad>venture. I thought I would take a moment to invite you to:

sou·ve·nir 

I've been stewing and brewing what I would say for a while, and I finally decided the best way to get at the question, would be (naturally!) to use the Evolution Through Vacation e-Guide. One of the first questions posed to the traveler is "Where do you SHINE?" (p. 14)

I shine when I am singing the praises of something I love. (No brainer, right?) In my life, whether it has been working in really kick ass restaurants or in working with people who are literally changing the world one amazing story or life at a time, telling the story of how it happens and compelling others to join in the adventure is where I have always found myself. So I am super thrilled to jump in with Evolution Through Vacation to be the Community Catalyst/e>v Evangelist, singing joyful praises of grrrrrr-attitude, bliss-filled and joy-plumped life adventuring.

Let's Shine!

(OK, OK. You want more detail? Read my bio here ... drop me a note ... let's start the conversation!)

So I was poking around on facebook today, and a friend of mine posted a question for her status. I'll call my friend Sally. Her status update (a little note that you write to let others know what you are doing) said:

    

    Sally has cabin fever. What can she do that is free?

Well, Sally got me to thinking. I mean I don't know about you, but every time I turn on the radio or TV, someone is trying to convince Sally that she can't afford to do anything, and she needs to stay cooped up! I wanted to shout from the rooftop - Hey! Sally! There is a whole world out there, waiting for you to enjoy. You are the only limitation to your imagination and vacation (stay-cation) Sally.

So here are some ideas Sally, that will jump start your free (or low cost) vay-cay. Get going!

• There are many museums or public arboretums that are free, or have one day per week that is. Go ahead, find one. And go!
• In many parts of the country, the seasons are changing, and the colors and foliage is exploding with color. Get outside, and take your camera with you. Try becoming the worlds next great photographer.
• Visit the library! Often there are readings and other events. If nothing else, take some time to soak up the crazy literature you can find, only in your local library.
• Take a journey in your own city! Grab a travel guide/book from your own city, and go exploring. And while you are at it, write your thoughts, what you are experiencing. How would you re-write the guide?
• Check out an asian or greek, or maybe hispanic grocery market. Try to speak their language, shop for dinner, then head home and make a meal. Mmmmm. 
• Roll the dice. Literally! Whatever number you roll, jump on the bus/train route corresponding to that number, and ride until you arrive somewhere interesting. Then, roll again!
• Be a tourist in your own city. Go out, ask a "local" where a good place to eat is, or a bar to go to, or perhaps a day trip or coffee house. Engage a local to tell their favorite spots stories. Everyone has them. Then listen, and enjoy the story.

And when you travel my friend, always get a souvenir. 

Next: Souvenir ideas!

Hey e>v travelers!

Check this out, someone (was it you?) thinks we are divine, and well we could not agree more. We've been nominated in the Travel category over at DivineCaroline and we're only 60-ish votes from the lead! Would you take a moment and share the love by voting for us?

Here at e>v, things are pretty relaxed. Hanging out, creating content, changing the world ... and getting some photos taken! Yep, we've just had a few shots taken to help us promote the e-guide, the workshops and more. While most are oh-so professional, here's one of my favorites that is so e+g .... feel the love:

I love surprises.  And, last night I got a fun one--with some punch.

We were walking back to the car from The Happy Gnome's Oktoberfest tent, where we had just seen a fantastic show by my favorite close to home band--Pert Near Sandstone.  Well, I was sort of off in my own world, humming to myself, when words stamped in the concrete sidewalk caught my eye. Curious, I stopped to look. I thought it might be a "The sewer/power/phone lines are here." type of message from the city, but it wasn't. It was a poem. A poem?  A poem.  "Well, sheesh," I thought, "You don't see that everyday." (and why not, I wondered) My sidewalk poetry radar now up, I scanned the concrete over the next few blocks...and there were more, here and there along the way...what a find!

Here's my favorite and the one that left the biggest impression (sorry for the pun--and, yes, it being a haiku probably has a lot to do with its elevated status):

Origami bird
You have such long wings to fly
Why do you sit still?

This afternoon as I crawled down Washington Avenue in rush hour traffic toward 35W, I got the sense that I was part of a long, eager and impatient line for the latest attraction at the amusement park. As the left turn arrow went green, I sped down the on-ramp and onto the new bridge. It may seem silly, but I found myself completely giddy--stomach in my throat. I let out a whoop and honked my horn--and flew over the Mississippi for the first time in over a year.

And, it's been a strange year of getting to know my city in a way I never had before. Living in NE Minneapolis, 35W takes you wherever you want to go, and quickly. Without it, I have needed to find alternative routes everywhere. Sometimes it's been a huge pain in the ass. Other times, when I've been content to take it slow and see it as a mini-adventure, it's been amazing. I've discovered parts of the city I never knew existed--as sad as that sounds. Winding through neighborhoods--sometimes lost, then found again--has given me a sense of proximity and orientation I've never had before. It's an understanding I'd totally missed zooming along the interstate from point A to point B.

I'm thrilled that 35W spans the river again. And, I'm thrilled to have a more intimate sense of my city, having wandered through her side streets.

And, yes, some of those alternative routes are now my chosen routes.

It ain't work, it's play!

Join us for the fully expanded Evolution Through Vacation day-long workshop -- a fun, interactive adventure on how to live each day like a vacation day!

What it is: Centered on the e>v Life Map experiment -- and following the e>v rhythm of Preparation, The Trip and Re-Entry -- Evolution Through Vacation Live takes you on a deep dive into your current journey through relationships, career, creative expression and more. Then, through other inspirational + insightful e>v activities, you'll decide what you truly want to create and leave with an action plan to make it all happen.

What you'll do: Hang out with other cool peeps -- adventurers, thinkers, action-takers -- in a safe, fun environment while you dream up all sorts of possibilities for yourself and your life ... and then, you'll make them a reality.

Why you should come: No need to travel afar ... every day can be a vacation day if we let it be! It's time to discard the limits! Shake things up! Join the adventure! Right here and now.

When + where: Saturday, October 18, 2008 / 9:30 - 4:30 / Minneapolis, MN

Cost: $99 / bring a bag lunch or enjoy one of the yummy nearby restaurants / snacks + beverages will be provided.

RSVP: Please email e>v for more details and directions! And let's go!