“The challenge helped me move from burnout and despair back into hope and self-care"

I joined the 7 Sacred States Challenge, and I am so glad I did. I work in environmental and marine conservation ... and, that work is both rewarding ... and despairing at times. There are beautiful souls on this planet, who care deeply for nature. But unfortunately, there are also those who do not. And it can be heartbreaking.

And so with that, those of us in conservation have to find ways to keep our own spirits up. Mine has been down. But the 7 Sacred States Challenge, really put me back into a hopeful, positive state. I feel excited again, about life and work.

As the saying goes, we have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves first, before we can help those around us. And the 7 Sacred States reminded me, to put my own mask on first. While every state really impacted me, "Love" is where I found, I need to do extra work. Yes, love for myself. But also, love for humanity. I want to believe in humanity again. I have to believe in humanity again. And I will believe in humanity again.

So thank you to Vishen and MindValley for giving us this challenge. For helping us to slow down, be silent, and hear the whispers that come to us, guiding us to what we need ... for our own nourishment ... but also for the nourishment of our planet.