As one of the most powerful mind-altering potions on the planet, Ayahuasca is commonly misunderstood- perceived as a drug, or at best a door into mysticism. While there is some truth to both perceptions, neither give a hint to the powerful healing potential on the psyche or to the endless possibilities for self-knowledge and expansion of consciousness.  The end result being a new attitude towards each situation of the past, present, or future:  Open, sensitive, intelligent, and void of negative emotion. 

Many of us create absurd justifications for overworking. At best, I justified it as a necessary means to success, but most of the time I was just compulsively acting on my own personal drive to deliver above expectations, and a fixation with an element perfectionism- setting up an abstract idea in my mind of what I should be able to do, that had no relationship with what I actually needed to do. With the ever increasing demands of corporations in the face of shrinking resources, the excess results in counter productivity and potential loss of valuable employees.  One of the worst element of demotivation is being in a situation in which no matter what is delivered and accomplished- it is never enough.    

Increased focus on the relationship between well-being + productivity and emotional intelligence + career success is providing a broader perspective on the concept of productivity and how we should treat our bodies to get there.  My personal experience with caffeine and a high stress job taught me that there is a very fine line between a habit providing a benevolent mental boost, and a stress inducing addiction resulting in anxiety, decreased productivity and less than optimal performance.   

Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods has people reeling over the potential consequences- notably how Amazon go technology and automation could affect the shopping experience.   People are talking much less about a trend moving in the opposite direction: More human interaction within innovative concepts that bring culture, well-being, and a sense of community to less elitist versions (ie: Space Ninety 8) of concept stores such as LeClaireur, 10 Corso Como, and Colette.

Breathwork (under the umbrella of Mental Wellness)  has been cited as “The biggest future trend, period” by the 2017 Global Wellness Summit.    “Just Breathe” is on its way to becoming a branded philosophy for the central truth of a well-lived life of BALANCE; similar to how “mindfulness” has become a brand for paying attention to metrospirituals.  

Yesterday’s event “A Mindful Miami” - a mass meditation for Mother Earth held at Brickell City Center, was beautifully executed.   The orchestra alone of the mystical instruments to induce sound healing, was a rare and exceptional pleasure for the senses.  The talented facilitators used them to provide an atmosphere of well-being, relaxation, and to raise spiritual vibrations.

I had become so intensely rooted in my seat on the hamster wheel and fixated on controlling the situation, that I did not realize I was on a train traveling in the wrong direction.