Category Archives: Spirituality

The Power of Giving Up Old Habits

April 11, 2012 – 10:51 am
giving up-full heart

We all change. It is reason number 4,967 of why being human is awesome. However, as we change, do we allow ourselves to give up old habits? When that success strategy is no longer a “success strategy” what do you do? I have a dear friend dealing with that as we speak. Check out my recap of our poignant conversation on the topic. I used to be an extremely angry person. I felt that it was me against the world and I had to keep going and prove myself (to whom, I am still not sure). What I found within my twenties is that angry wasn’t really a success strategy. It was holding me back from doing great things and helping others find their way. I now try to live my life with this in mind: How do you live your life? Have you had to change how you walk through life? Is what motivates you now always been the case? We would love to hear your stories. Related Posts The Power of Letter Writing The Power of Vulnerability How to Create Your Own Luck

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Happiness, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments (0)

How to Live Anywhere and Love It

May 17, 2011 – 9:23 am
air bnb the freelancer how to live anywhere

We all dream about living somewhere else, right? Even if we love where we live now, it is the romantic notion of trying something new, something exotic. Am I right? I posed this question on Facebook this morning, “If you could move anywhere, where would you go and why?” Here are some of the answers: “I live where I most want to be. Not sure why anyone would do otherwise.” -Michael Troiano Though I agree with Mr. Michael, I am somewhat nomadic in nature and like to test out places before I decide to hang my hat and call somewhere home. Why? before I commit to a significant move, I want to know that I can be equally as happy in my new location as I am in Boston. For the freelancers out there, here are 3 ways to discover new cities and which location would make you happiest. I. Air BnB: The beauty of being a freelancer is that you can work from anywhere. So, why not sublet your place out and try out a new city for a month. I love using Air BnB because of the built in community component, rating system, as well as the variety [...]

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Adventure, Creativity, Happiness, Strategy, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (7)

Why I Started Our Revolution

March 4, 2011 – 7:36 am
revolution social good

After a ton of planning, volunteers spending countless hours, and a ton of blood, sweat and tears, it begins. Today, is the first day of Our Revolution Road Trip. The number why question I get  is, “Why did you start such a thing?” Here’s a short video with the answer. Take a look: Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen: Topher, Anya, Ashley, Jeremy, Ron, Brandie, Geo, Stu,  Ken, Candace, Laurie, Andy, Russell, Jenni, John, Uncle Jerry and Wojtek A big thanks to our Sponsors and Partners: GreenVans, SnapGoods, Jeff Pulver and the 140 Conference, Engage Marketing and Design, Sony, Leica,  KIND Snacks, Pop Chips, Tripping, 33 Needs, and Rockethub. Come and join us in one of our 20+ cities this month. We’ll be waiting for you. If you’re interested in other areas of this project, here is a brief overall of the project ahead.

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Adventure, Creativity, Innovation, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments (1)

The Revolution: How You can Help!

January 12, 2011 – 4:33 pm
children of the revolution

Life has a funny way of teaching us the lessons we are supposed to learn. As I strolled through the silent snowy streets today, I realized that these lessons I have learned over the passed few months were always there waiting for me. I had to laugh out loud (and then looked around to see if anyone saw this woman walking in the middle of the street laughing to herself), because life is so simple that sometimes we forget. We forget what we are suppose to learn, but also what we’re meant to teach others. So, it’s time. Each of us have the power to change the world. Everything you do sets the course for a series of events. Some will directly impact you and some will not. But they still come from you. And that is why I need your help. Starting in February, I’m launching Revolution! Revolution! is an interactive transmedia project that will empower each and every one of us to help facilitate change in some way, no matter how small. Whether its change at home, in your community, globally or just within you- you will have the tools you need to be the change you wish [...]

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Adventure, Innovation, Philosophy, Strategy, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments (3)

5 Ways Female Priests in the Catholic Church Would Change the World

October 19, 2010 – 9:00 am
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Even though I left the church, I feel inclined to help an institution that has run into so many issues. I sincerely believe that the ordination of women will benefit not only the Catholic Church but make a positive impact on the world.

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Creative Strategy: Learning the Benefits of Travel and Living Abroad

July 11, 2010 – 10:34 pm
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My surrogate sister, Sara, has been over in China studying and teaching for about a year and a half now. Her experience of acclimating into another culture made me curious to see what creative benefits there are to living aboard. In Psychology Time’s article,”Can living abroad make you more creative,” Art Markman asks just that: The idea here is that when you go to a different culture, there are often subtle differences that you have to learn about. For example, in the US, if you go to someone’s house and they offer you a drink or snack, you respond “Yes” or “No” depending on whether you want a snack. In Russia, though, it is impolite to say “Yes” the first time something is offered, and so you refuse the first request. The host asks again, and after a brief negotiation, you may settle on having a snack. A Russian visiting the US for the first time might refuse the offer of a snack, only to be surprised that she is not asked a second time. Eventually, she must learn that the practices are different. To read the entire article, click here. What are your thoughts? Have you ever lived abroad? [...]

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Adventure, Arts, Creativity, Happiness, Philosophy, Strategy, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

10+ Things You Didn’t Know about Spirituality and Sex

June 28, 2010 – 8:27 am

As a minister and an artist, I am always intrigued as to how spirituality effects the creative mind. So, when I saw this article from Deepak Chopra on Spirituality and Sex, it was a must read for me. My favorite  is #1: Sexual energy is the primal and creative energy of the universe. All things that are alive come from sexual energy. In animals and other life forms, sexual energy expresses itself as biological creativity. In humans, sexual energy can be creative at all levels — physical, emotional and spiritual. In any situation — where we feel attraction, arousal, awakening, alertness, passion, interest, inspiration, excitement, creativity, enthusiasm — in each of these situations, sexual energy is at work. Whenever we feel these states of awareness, we must put our attention on the energy that we are experiencing, nourishing it with our attention, experiencing it with joy and keeping it alive in our awareness. Read this Huffington Post article and tell me what you think. Like this article and want to read more, feel free to subscribe to my blog feed

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Arts, Creativity, Happiness, Peace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Comments (1)

Sexual Assault and My Spiritual Pilgrimage Home

June 7, 2010 – 12:08 pm
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“Did he penetrate?” Those were the first words I spoke to the doctor as she was examining me upon my arrival back to the US in 2004. I had been studying Italian in Perugia when I was sexually assaulted by a neighbor. Needless to say, I have not been back to Italy since that incident. However, I intend for all of that to change this summer. I believe that one’s experiences make them the person they are. I will go a step further and say that it is really how a person handles those experiences and who they become as a result of them that really tell the tale. With that being said, I have been in a state of reflection over the past several months. I know that if I strive to move forward and be the person I am capable of being, then I need to do just that: move on. In order for that to occur, I need to go back to Italy. I need (and want) a better memory of that beautiful country. This is why my arts summer program is so special to me. What better way to move forward than through the creation of [...]

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Adventure, Creativity, Happiness, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Comments (5)

What Do You Believe In?

June 1, 2010 – 7:00 am

Life can be fun, but have its challenges along the way. Am I right? Whether you’re starting a business, raising a family, or relocating to a new city, at times it take a large amount of strength and faith just to put one foot in front of the other. I know, I’ve been there. We all have from time to time. I was down in Boston’s North End last week and came across the church of St. Leonard. As I was walking with my canoli, I began to wonder “What do people believe in? What keeps them going when things seem hopeless or a struggle?” Though I know what keeps me going every day, no matter what life hands to me, I would like to share two other stories with you: Dave had had a home-based business (T-shirt designer) for over 3 years. He considered himself successful making $27K a year. However, when the recession hit, orders were canceled and a major client did not pay. Needless to say, Dave’s business was hit pretty hard. But is the great thing about Dave. He knew that this was a make or break moment for his business. So, what did he do? [...]

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Business Tools, Entrepreneurship, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments (2)

Key to Happiness: Laughing Yoga

May 2, 2010 – 9:37 am

Wow! We often hear that the key to happiness is through laughter. Whether you believe that or not, you HAVE to watch this video of laughing yoga. I was laughing so hard that I was crying. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

By Ja-Naé Duane | Also posted in Happiness, Peace, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments (2)