My Inner Vegas

“There is an eternal landscape, a geography of the soul; we search for its outlines all our lives.” –Josephine Hart


I’ve spent the past 7 weekends traveling to Atlanta, Honolulu, Rome, Umbria, Houston, Sedona, and Vegas. There were geographical strengths and weaknesses to each locale but what truly stood out was the perspective of the people. In each city, you could find people who were depressed and struggling; and in each city, you could find people who lived large and loved the lay of their land.

I believe that just as we take a trip and journey thru the world, we are all on an inner journey. And regardless of how much money we make, we choose to reside in different locations of the mind. It's all about perspective. Here are some examples:

YOUR INNER UMBRIA
The medieval towns in Umbria, Italy were built on top of mountains and surrounded by walls to protect them from invading armies. Nowadays, this is inconvenient and requires taking a special train from the base of the mountain up to the town. However, these quaint towns are protected from the outside world and offer stunning views of the surrounding valleys and vineyards. Some people choose such a place on the inner journey.…a quaint place protected from outside influences. Such people are introspective and sometimes freakishly stubborn, yet they have a lovely view of life.

YOUR INNER SEDONA
The breathtaking red rocks and canyons in Sedona, Arizona are surrounded by vast desert. If you’ve ever lived in the desert, it’s mystical spaciousness provokes introspection which can be really relaxing…yet when that sun beats down on the dry, open terrain, you start to go insane. Some very spiritual people choose such a place on the inner journey…wide open space perfect for solitude and inner peace. These people sometimes wear a bit too much Patchouli but ultimately their soothing vibe earns our love.

YOUR INNER VEGAS
Las Vegas: the themed casinos and constant stimulation are all about money. It’s artificial, it’s loud, it’s fake and we LOVE it! Some people choose such a place in the inner journey…livin large with great material treasures. Who doesn’t want a sweet car and an amazing home and a fat diamond? But just like Vegas, one can only handle that place for so long before a lack of meaning or a loss of resources forces a shift.

Some people reside in their inner Vegas; others settle in their Inner Umbria; others in their inner Sedona desert canyons. And of course, there are others who might be financially secure yet somehow end up in the slums of their mind or the gutters of their soul. The beautiful thing about the inner journey is we are never stuck. We can always travel. To pick up and move along on the inner journey does not require money or resources. It just requires lightening the load, shifting perspective, daring to try something different. After my 7 weeks of travel all over the world, I’ve realized something that will stay with me for a lifetime. One who’s truly in touch and livin' the moment can get more from a bike ride to coffee than an uninspired sleeper gets on an exotic safari to Africa. As Lillian Smith said, “I soon realized that no journey carries one far unless, as it extends into the world around us, it goes an equal distance into the world within.”

• Layla Eric Clapton
• Fast Car Wyclef Jean
• Jerusalem Matisyahu
• Can't Let Go Lucinda Williams
• Whipping Post The Allman Brothers Band
• Rollin' and Tumblin' Eric Clapton
• Loser Beck
• Green Eyes Coldplay
• One Way Out The Allman Brothers Band
• Turn Your Lights Down Low Bob Marley
• Stand By Me Tracy Chapman
• Melissa Gregg Allman
• Tea in the Sahara The Police