7.13 Edition of What I Did Last Week (and what I'm looking forward to)

What I Did Last Week

I would be lying if I told you I wasn’t tragically sad, having returned from a magical month in Corfu. If you are just tuning in, I make it a practice to live and work in a different country each quarter, for a minimum of 15 days. This gets me out of the routine and grants me perspective on my business/life.

I thought long and hard about what exactly touched me so.

In the movie “American Beauty,” the character Ricky Fitts, played by actor Wes Bentley, has a poignant line, "Sometimes there's so much beauty in the world, I feel like I can't take it, and my heart is just going to cave in."

What touched me so deeply was waking up one of my top value of beauty everyday.

Streets that date back to BC. Bright fuchsia bougainvilla waterfalling off buildings. The sea — a mere 3 minute walk. Corfu was declared a UNESCO heritage site in 2007, deemed an “exceptional example of a fortified Mediterranean port.” Rules govern the buildings, the streets. Even the colors of the buildings and streets.

So maybe this becomes my guiding star: Only visit UNESCO heritage sites to keep observing my top value of adventure and beauty.

Corfu also stoked another core value: friendships. Gkoursim, at the Bubble Nail salon, which I visited 3x during my stay, gave me a real hug as I left the salon. Turkish by origin, but born in Greece, she said “Have a nice life.”

If vacation is about to pass you by and you anticipate the post-holiday blues, here are a few ways to help yourself integrate back:

IDEA #1

In your journal, write a quick note from your ‘vacation self” to your “current self” on strips of paper.

“Remember, we love…” fuchsia bougainvilla and the feel of the sea on your legs
“Please don’t forget to…” eat well
“Beauty today is hiding in…” my own garden in Brooklyn

I’m keeping the strips of paper in a mason jar (the jar is usually reserved for salads, but ok). On Sundays, I will pull one out and read it. It becomes a conversation between my two selves.

IDEA #2

Print out your favorite photo of your time away and put it on your mirror.

Claude Bristol’s “Magic Mirror” theory in his 1948 book The Magic of Believing, asks readers to write what he or she wants in dry erase marker on his/her mirror. This begins to rewire the subconscious mind and creates the reality you desire.

For example, I had a photo of 8 women working together and writing at a villa in Corfu, LONG before I had the villa or the 8 women. See below.

This is the photo the pro photographer captured at the actual villa.

I put up photos of things I want. (I would like to live in Corfu for an entire summer) I also put up photos of things I HAVE ALREADY DONE (the sweet little apartment in Corfu and my epic retreat aboard a boat in Croatia) so I remind my subsconcious mind “I am capable of doing big things.”

IDEA #3

Do a “beauty audit” of your day — ask yourself each night, Where did I find beauty today? Even if it's your garden at home.

I forget that I live in one of the greatest cities in the world.

Last night, I (could) and did buy a ticket for 1 in the orchestra section of the Met. The American Ballet Theatre was performing “Sylvia” which ironically is based on a Greek mythical tale.

Originally premiered in 1876 in Paris, the ABT premiered it in 2005.

The Sylvia character is onstage for about 80% of the ballet, requiring intense stamina.

IDEA #4

Write a letter from your “vacation self” to your “current self.”

Let her tell you what she knows now.

My “Corfu self” reminds me to treat my body really well each day, with good fruits and vegetables from the farmer’s market.

“You are what you eat,” says my yoga teacher Maribella.

What am I looking forward to

Heading to a wedding on Matt’s side today. It’s a two hour drive to the Beekman Arms & Delamater Inn in Rhinebeck. During the Revolutionary War, it served as a refuge and muster site for the Continental Army’s 4th Regiment. George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, Philip Schuyler, and Benedict Arnold reportedly stayed or drilled here.

I’m in a panic, because I ordered my dress before I left for Greece in May. I was informed my “dress is no longer available” yesterday. My wardrobe and packing list in this Notion doc.

I’m rediscovered Seinfeld while in Corfu, since my TV viewing was limited. In one of the episodes, Jerry complains “You can take the reservation. But you can’t HOLD the reservation.”

You would have to live in New York to appreciate this is reality every time we go to the car rental place.

Double that in the summer.

Monday. Harvard Business Review presents this book talk downtown in Tribeca.

In “G.O.A.T. Wisdom,” the authors present the twelve principles that made the biggest difference in their entrepreneurial journey, and show how these principles are relevant for anyone ready to defy the odds and grow a brand that matters.

Friday. The Frick Collection has been under renovation for like—-forever. It’s finally re opened and it has been on my to do list when I returned from Greece.

There are three Vermeer paintings on display. Unlike bold Caravaggio in Rome, Vermeer conveys quiet, emotional exchanges between people through light and gesture in his work.

Both Vermeer and artist Gustav Klimt explore the interior lives of women—but Vermeer does it with restraint. He shows women pouring milk, lost in their own thoughts. Klimt is more sensual in his renditions of female subjects. More opulent.

It’s a good pre cursor to my December Vienna retreat, where I’ve hired an art historian to show us Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss” before Belvedere Castle opens to the public.

Whenever you’re ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:

1.Join the Samita Lab Mastermind. Join 7 other women leaders in giving a TEDx style talk on a NYC stage in front of 200 people at the end.

Apply here

2. The Anatomy of a 'No' If you’re struggling to say ‘no’ gracefully at work, I created a digital community where all my scripts are organized (15,000 downloaded)

I’ll add to it each week.

3. Enroll in my workshop: “3 tips to supercharge your TEDx Application”

1600 already took it.