soul — This is Why

Like Reflective Surfaces...

"Who are you?!" the pesky caterpillar bellows from behind the looking glass as I try to avoid my reflection. Alice certainly had better luck peering in and not being viciously attacked by her own inner demons when they caught sight of her, but maybe the lessons she learned could help me face the evil clown who picks me apart in the mirror. If only the Mad Hatter 'twas brillig!

Matthew ChicolaMarch 7, 2018mirror, reflection, diet, looking, look, style, appearance, physical, muscle, exercise, exercising, obsession, compulsive, compulsion, supplement, hair, acne, skin, bald, weak, strength, soul, spirit, looking glass, alice in wonderland, spiritual, spirituality, soulful, soulfulness, approval, heart, joy, steve martin, 2 becomes 1, spice girls, ships in the night, matt kearney, you can't stop the beat, hairspray, snow white, laugh, smile, caterpillar, aliceComment

Like a Snooze Button...

Adidas: All Day I Dream About...Sports? Sex? Sugar? Though the popular brand is not, in fact, an acronym for anything, it has been suggested that dreaming is the first step toward actualization, especially in fairy tales. But what if I'm dreaming about more sleep, and instead of reaching for my dreams while I'm awake, I hit the snooze button? Cinderella certainly would have had a different ending if she were in my shoes.

Matthew ChicolaFebruary 19, 2018the artist's way, Julia Cameron, julia cameron, name, game, spiritual, spirit, soul, soulful, mindfulness, mindful, consciousness, conscious, subconscious, dream, dreamstate, dreams, night, day, sunrise, sun, light, dark, darkness, horizon, nightmare, nightmare on elm street, freddy krueger, cinderella, wish, heart, spirituality, snooze, sleep, wake up, morning, early, imagination, creativity, creative, writing, marble canyon, good morning starshine, good morning, disney, sex, sensuality, intimacy, C. G. Jung, JungComment

Like a Brand New Car...

The Price is Right is part of the morning routine within the Chicola household. Each day, the familiar theme song echoes through the kitchen, while contestants "come on down" to win big prizes via games like Plinko, Cliff Hangers, and Hole in One. While I'm sure the beautiful cars everyone jumps up and down for are spectacular, my Jeep continues to prove its longevity and durability, demonstrating to me that it is the "whole package" despite the naysayers. Would trading in make me a traitor?

Matthew ChicolaJanuary 10, 2018feminine, masculine, energy, femininity, masculinity, balance, whole, wholeness, adversity, uncertainty, soul, soulful, soulfulness, spiritual, spirituality, spirit, nature, hiking, adventure, journey, paulo coelho, the alchemist, robin sharma, who will cry when you die, fear, escape, runaway, avoidance, worry, anxietyComment

Like Smokey the Bear...

Where there's smoke, there's fire. I spied quite a few versions of Smokey as he issued warnings and instructions about extinguishing campfires along my path. Unfortunately, "pour(ing) lots of water" will only make my overheated phone more miserable and angry. "Only you can prevent forest fires," and we accomplish this by recognizing when and why things overheat, right?

Matthew ChicolaJanuary 1, 2018spirituality, spiritual, mindfulness, soul, soulful, lgbt, gay, homosexuality, michael singer, julia cameron, anger, fear, negativitiy, positivity, present, presence, destiny, Michael Singer, Julia CameronComment

Like Warm Blood...

Some tents and sleeping bags are made for freezing cold, pouring rain, and blustering wind; others (like mine)...not so much. I expected the conditions to be warmer overnight as I traveled further south, but the elevation of each of my stops left me vulnerable to the reality of the frigid weather. When life freezes your lemons, what's the next best move?

Matthew ChicolaDecember 12, 2017compassion, love, spirituality, spiritual, nature, mouse, mice, trap, hunting, hunt, kill, soul, universe, meditation, prayer, hiking, travel, colorado, new mexico, utah, arches national park, bryce canyon, grand canyon, marble canyon, tent, backpackingComment

Like Bathroom Etiquette...

After spending a majority of the trip digging holes to...lay waste...I walked into a pit bathroom at Arches National Park and was reacquainted with my long-time friend: the toilet. Why did it seem so foreign in those first moments? Don't worry, I didn't make the mistakes of Number 2 or 3 (or a combo of both), but returning my life back to the flush may require further training...

Matthew ChicolaDecember 1, 2017honesty, camping, camp, nature, when nature calls, poop, pooping, bathroom, rest stop, restroom, toilet, spiritual, spirituality, soul, soulful, funny Comment