TRavel and set your mind free

The quote from Mark Twain on travel exemplifies the times we live in - in our own little bubbles, believing what we are told rather than what we have experienced. I challenge you to free yourself to travel, to experience new things, new people, new surroundings.

For the average woman, it may seem next to impossible to travel with all of the daily responsibilities of family, work and home. The added burden of "there's never enough money" is also a roadblock to travel for many, as more often than not, we put others' needs ahead of our own and never make the effort to do the things we want to do. Experiences always provide a story to tell and new things to learn, new people to meet and new places to see. Keep in mind, you don't have to sail across the ocean to explore new cultures - there is a lot to learn in our own country! Make your travel wish list now and start exploring the world outside your bubble. There is much to learn!

Here are a few ideas on traveling inexpensively.

• Take a cross country trip via train. Check out Amtrak to plan your cross-country train trip. There are various seating and sleeping options to choose from.
• Travel with a group. Start your own travel club and enlist your girlfriends to explore with you. Check out Go Ahead Tours travel blog for tips on how to start planning your journeys and making memories together.
• Book via a travel agent that allows payment plans.
• Check out the ThePointsGuy.com for excellent flight deals.
• Take a road trip. Check out Road Trippers for a complete road trip planning guide.
• Travel vicariously through books and movies. Okay, so this may not be the best option, but certainly one that can inspire you to take the next step to real travel. Here are a few movies to pique your wanderlust: Woman in Gold, The Time in Between (Netflix/TV Series), Eat Pray Love, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, The Holiday, Burn Burn Burn. Any other recommendations?

“Traveling solo does not always mean you’re alone. Most often, you meet marvelous people along the way and make connections that last a lifetime.” – Jacqueline Boone

One of the connections I made while traveling on business was Elijah - a Coptic Christian who had fled Egypt for the United States during the Arab Spring uprising. His story is one that needs to be told and so with the 30-minute conversation I had with him, I present Elijah - a man I will always remember.

So, go, my dear Feisty Chics - travel! Would you be interested in traveling with a group of fellow Feisty Chics? Let us know on our Facebook page, @thefeistychic. We would love to get a group together to go exploring!

“Don’t let anyone rob you of your imagination, your creativity, or your curiosity. It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.” – Dr. Mae C. Jemison

colleges & universities: are they still a bastion of free speech?

For anyone who has been following current events, the recent demonstrations and violent protests at the University of California, Berkeley, force us to ask the question - are our colleges and universities protecting free speech or following the dangerous trend of political correctness? UC, Berkley is known for its "legacy and reputation as a promoter and bastion of free speech" in the 60's but today's campus is taking a different direction - one that is risky for the next generations of college students.

Far-right speakers, like Ann Coulter and Milo Yiannopoulos, have had speaking engagements cancelled due to safety concerns. Protesters have thrown rocks, set fires, and damaged buildings under the premise of protesting the speakers' hate-filled rhetoric but we must allow them to speak. It is our first amendment right to free speech that must be protected for all of our citizens, whether we agree with them or not.

Colleges must grow a backbone and teach students the importance of our right to free speech, as well as our right to peaceful protest. Let the fools speak - it puts you in a much better position to defend and promote your ideas if you know what the other side is thinking. Please share your thoughts on this subject on our Facebook page.

Your Morning Wake-Up Call with Yourself

What's the first thing you do when you wake-up in the mornings?

I asked this question of a group of twenty co-workers and the answers were quite thought-provoking. They varied from turn on the television, to watch the news, check the weather, or check my phone. I began to wonder if anyone took the time to start their day "in the spirit." Finally, someone said, "I pray." There were only three of the twenty that said they started their day in prayer or meditation. That was the answer!

Only 15% of the group began their day in prayer or meditation

As humans, we are spiritual beings but all too often we focus on the world and the external, rather than looking within. I challenge each of you to start your day in the spirit, reflecting on your purpose and how YOU can make the world a better place. God puts us here to make those around us better. Start your day with a wake-up call to yourself.

In this life, we are bound to earth by the physical body. In Spirit, we are bound to the sky, moon, stars, the universe and The Creator. - Iyanla Vanzant