You knowwww I love what I do. You know it. I adore Expression Fiber Arts and everything we’re able to produce for you day in and day out.
However, the past year and a half or so, I’ve had a dull blah feeling in my heart. Does what I do make any difference in the world? What direction do we take the business?
And then last summer, my daddy decided to make his transition to a better place in the clouds and my heart was crushed. So many times I felt like throwing up when it would hit me all over again… my daddy isn’t here anymore. Where did you go, daddy?
So when my sis and I heard about a Caribbean cruise with Anita Moorjani (my fave author) and Joe Dispenza (Dena’s fave author), we made a quick decision to GO FOR IT. Life is swift. Let’s live it up. Plus, we haven’t spent much time together at all in recent years and it felt like a great opportunity to be together, remember daddy and have a restart on life.
The Journey
So off we went!
As life would have it, right as I was headed to the airport, our site decided to totally wig out, preventing many people from checking out. This was right after I sent out an email newsletter to nearly 100,000 people.
I spent all day Friday, on the way to the airport, in the airport, on the plane, in the hotel, etc, answering emails, emails, emails.
It caused so much panic/stress in my body that my neck erupted in vicious hives (which didn’t disappear until we returned 8 days later… weird!).
So the theme of the trip was… RELEASE STRESS. Let it go! Life isn’t meant to be lived in that state and I had been feeling far too much of it in the past few months.
But overall, the trip was incredible…
Seminars
Joe and Anita were just sensational in our near-daily seminars. They have both already changed our lives, but seeing and hearing them live took it to a whole new level. Please read their books and if you get a chance to attend a live seminar, DO IT. They are so sweet. So authentic. And them together was such a treat. I took NOTES galore, cried and laughed till I was drained and had so many life insights.
•We did a morning sunrise meditation out on the deck of the cruise ship and my mascara just poured down my face. So much emotion.
•Anita played Dancing Queen at the end of one of her talks and it brought up so much nostalgia and sadness that Dena and I laugh/cried until I literally became sick and had to stay in bed the rest of the day.
Friends
We got seated with the most amazing German ladies our first night at formal dinner and we spent the week with them and their friends. Now I want to learn German!
It felt like the whole ship was one big happy family and we had such a blast meeting everybody.
Beaches!
So many beaches. So much sand! We visited Grand Turk Island, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay.
We got roasted like little lobsters.
We almost got stuck way out in the water on a water bike since our legs almost gave out on us. Haha! More laughter.
So many pretty pics. SUNSETS! New foods! Tasted fried conch for the first time.
My meal is actually UNDER all this food and this was just one meal. HAHA!! I gained 3 lbs.
The sand was different in each port and it all absolutely amazed me. In Half Moon Cay it the finest, most creamiest of sands… like flour. The water was the most vibrant of turquoise shades I’ve seen. I was pretty sure it was heaven. The sand was grittier in the turks and such a universe of lives come and gone…all those little crunched shells.
While we were in the Grand Turks, Dena asked daddy if he was there… and a boat bobbed by with the word, Papa, on it, which is what we called him. ***TEARS!!!
It was such a wonderful trip.
We’d wake up early in the morning and insights would flood in.
It was more than a physical journey. It was a journey through the soul. A trek through the inner regions of what makes us tick and we have come out the other side Refreshed. Renewed. Restored.
My first few days back to work have been so joyous and focused and inspiration is welling up in me again. Hello, inspiration! Happy to see you again!
*If you start to see some ocean-inspired yarn colors, you’ll know why!
Each small thing is such a wonder… I am drinking in life.
I’m writing this on my back porch and the air smells of my hot chai tea and freshly cut grass. Birds are serenading in the trees. The subtlest of breezes nudges me. The air is crisp, cool. I’m surrounded by things I love. A cuddly blanket. A warming rice pack. A new notebook for my new life. Bella Grace, one of my favorite magazines. Bright aqua fingernails.
Life is truly a treasure we’ve each been given. And as Dr. Joe says, let’s be in this generous present moment.
Yes! Drink it up! Drink it up!
To life!
Chandi
I love every word and knowing how restorative the journey was brings me tremendous joy!
You are such a beautiful soul and blessing to so many!
Sounds like the cruise with your sister is just what the doctor ordered!! Very interesting that the sand was so different in textures.
Bring on the “ocean-inspired yarn colors”! Thank you for your story.
Beautiful emotional and all that life is about
Your time sounds amazing . I think we all need to slow down an take in what we have right here with us .
think back enjoy the happy memories even the sad memories because it was the happy memories
That make the sad ones sad . when we have lost a loved one .
Waiting to see your new inspired yarn colors .
Chandi, I felt that I needed to share this with you.
My sister, who lives with me, is not at all into yarn, knitting, any of it. My mom introduced me to your online shop and your colorways and I was instantly in love. I started following you on Instagram.
At this point, I have made several delicious purchases and am amazingly infatuated with every skein. My sister has seen these skeins and has also actually been interested in them. I was one of the people that you reached out to when your site had issues and I told her about your personal correspondence.
Since then, she asked me every day if you have any new colors and we spend every evening looking at your site. She even picked out her favorite skein yesterday and we ordered it to make her something beautiful!
I just wanted you to know that you have provided me with more than just beautiful yarn and patterns. Your work and skill with color have brought a mutual interest to two sisters who couldn’t be more different.
I loved reading about your trip with your sister, you both have the same smile! I’m so happy you fell better.
We’ve been lucky enought to travel to the carribbean and i always try to use the trips as inspiration in colors i use. Thats why i love your yarn because you base it on nature and things around yku.
Your fatjer was definatley with you necause of that boat you saw exactly when your soster asked!! A defininate answer from him!!
Thank you for sharing!
This was such a lovely, genuine thing to read. Thank you! <3
So glad you have found your footing and your Joy! I went through a similar experience when my Father died suddenly 2 1/2 years ago. I also sought the reviving waters of the ocean to find my center. I went to the beach with my best friend/soul sister and laughed a lot, cried a lot, walked miles and miles of shoreline, and just listened to the waves. Looking forward to returning to the beach this year and refilling my soul. So happy to hear you are finding inspiration again. I love your creations. Blessings to you.
I just read your vacation message. I am so happy for you and your sister. It is the best to let your soul rest . NO better place than the energy of the ocean and the sand.
Peace be with you always
sharon
I am so glad you had the opportunity to go on the cruise with your sister! That is awesome.i am glad you are feeling better
Wow! It sounds like an amazing and beautiful journey! I love the message from your Dad. Messages from the other side are always sweet, joyful, and yet break our hearts all at the same moment.
It is interesting that I just stumbled on the the newest Anita Moorjani book. But when my guides want me to know something, they tend to get it right in my face. I had read her first book…had no idea she had written another. I just got it yesterday, and started to read it late last night. Already experienced synchronicity, and got chills! LOL
Looking forward to seeing your sea inspired Yarns!
Loved reading your blog re hol with your sis – precious moments x
Therapeutic journey. Sorry to hear about your Papa’s passing.
May God bless you Chandi and keep you in your newly found joy and “re-inspiration”. You have always been inspiring to others in the last four years since I found you on Facebook. EFA has grown so much during the last 4 years and to know you are the same lovely person and great business owner is indeed Inspiring to me. Keep up the wonderful yarn colorways you produce and God Bless you and yours always.
You have a wonderful spirit that shows up in each email you write. I hope you know how special you are. Your yarns are out of this world so don’t wonder if you make a difference – you do!!!
You wondered if what you do makes any difference in the world. Absolutely it does!
I have only been crocheting since Christmas 2015. At the time, I was gifted a kit that turned out to be not very suitable for a beginner. I was discouraged and almost gave up. What happened instead: I found your YouTube tutorials, followed those, and made my first few finished objects. Some months later I discovered your yarn, and since then, I’d wager that 90% of the yarn I’ve purchased has come from EFA. I haven’t been brave enough to use any of it yet, but soon I will. It’s gorgeous, it makes me happy.
I work in a high stress environment and I’m not happy there. This year I’m trying to make changes, but in the interim I’ve turned to crochet to help me deal with the stress and challenges. I’ve read your posts about how and why you started EFA—this is all very inspiring for me. You are so positive, so enthusiastic, so genuine. I don’t plan to get into yarn dying myself but it helps to see that you went from a challenging, unhappy place to one that you really love. You remade your life… Hopefully I can, too.
In a week and a half I am going to New Zealand on a trip that I hope will be much like what your cruise was for you and your sister: a chance to get away from the things dragging me down, a chance to heal, a chance to restart life. You are right that life is swift. I’m looking forward to being refreshed and relaxed, and ready for change when I get back. I’m glad you had such a great time and that it was a worthwhile trip!
Also, ocean-inspired yarn colors? Here, just take my money. 🙂 <3
Wonderful trip!
Hoping to see the flamingos in Aruba someday soon.
What an amazing story, amazing place and amazing experience! Your seeing the Papa boat brought tears to my eyes. I just love your inspiration stories and messages. If I could only be you for a day…