"How to Find Your Path to Bliss...Abroad" with Beverly Nelson, Ph.D. and Michael Lee Bartlett, Part 1 of 2

Welcome to the first show of 2019, and what an inspiring one it is. I know you are going to really like it, because it has one of those too good to be true stories behind it, which I’ll tell in a moment. But first let me provide some context.   Those of you who have been following me for a while know I am a fan of the American author and Professor of Literature Joseph Campbell, who became famous for his work on the role of myth in literature, religion and ultimately, in all of human experience. You’ll find me quoting Campbell in my “Why?” Video from a few years ago, and in a recent talk I gave on my own spiritual journey. Links to both of those videos are in the show notes.   Joe Campbell didn’t really become truly famous until he was well into his sunset years, his 70’s and 80’s in fact, which is an inspiration for me as a tender 62 year old. For decades Campbell quietly taught and wrote books like the “Hero with a Thousand Faces,” gathering a small but impressive group of fans, including George Lucas, Jerry Garcia, and the poet Robert Bly, who are also among my favorites.    But it wasn’t until Campbell was near death that he became known to a broader audience, including me, thanks to the films "The Hero's Journey” and his video interviews with Bill Moyers, which aired on PBS as "The Power of Myth.”   It was in that last film that I first heard Campbell utter the phrase that some say summarizes his life’s work: “Follow your bliss."    Now, what does that mean? I’ll take a stab at it. I believe it means leading an adventurous life of questioning, discovery, and ultimately of delight and joy, a life to which we say “Yes” to our passions and “No” to resistance. When we do that, the universe conspires with us, not against us, and a world of opportunity opens up. It means becoming fully alive.   This philosophy really is at the core of the Dance mission and always has been. It’s why the words “explore” and “experience” are in my tagline. It's my personal philosophy, which is why you see me traveling on a lark, constantly learning, and taking risks, most of which “fail” in the world’s eyes. I am following my path to bliss, whatever the cost.   But how do we know what our bliss is? Where is that path? How to we find it so we can start our own, personal growth journey? How do we discover where our true passions lie, what is authentic to us, and what is not?   That’s where my next guests can help.    Dr. Beverly Nelson and her partner Michael Lee Bartlett came to my attention last fall when I was leafing through my latest issue of International Living magazine and an article about them caught my eye. It described work they are doing on a new, online course helping people who are contemplating a move abroad, and based on the work of Joesph Campbell.   Called “Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey,” the course helps couples and individuals make this life transforming decision with greater clarity, confidence and much less stress. The eight week, experiential interactive online program helps you define yourself, your values and what matters most in your life so that, so that no matter what you decide about moving abroad, you will move forward in a powerful, joyful way.   Well…you had to know that would catch my attention! I had already produced several shows featuring guests who were either already living abroad, or who had good reasons for doing so. It’s all part of my “Move to Higher Ground” theme, one I planned on continuing through 2019. Curious about Beverly and Michael's work, I gave them a call, and a short time later we recorded the interview you are about to hear.    But that’s where things get really interesting. Little did I know then that within a few weeks I would be a guest at their lovely home in beautiful San Miguel de Allende Mexico, toasting in the warm New Year with a chilled glass of tequila, and dancing well past sunset at a local club wearing a sequined mask. Too much fun! I also became a guest at the LifePath Center, an absolutely charming B&B and holistic healing center right in the center of town, enjoying the fresh food, yoga center, and healing services of the Center’s many practitioners. You can see pictures of all of this in the show notes.   Even though Beverly and Michael look like movie stars, they are no lightweights. Beverly has a PhD in Psychology and a BA in Business. She has created and directed internationally recognized Healing Centers all around the world, including what has become the largest and most comprehensive holistic center in Mexico — the LifePath Center.   Michael is a fellow former IBMer and entrepreneur, having founded or co-founded successful ventures in high tech, education, real estate, video and film production, and even restaurant and catering. Michael practiced as a psychotherapist in Woodstock New York for several years, helping to establish a vibrant therapeutic community there.   How they met and started working together in Mexico is a story you have to hear!   Meeting Michael and Beverly is a perfect example of how finding and following your bliss opens up unforeseen opportunities. Not only have I made some dear new friends that I really admire, but now we are exploring ways to collaborate on future online courses for personal growth and transformation. I’ll talk more about that in Part Two.   That’s right. My interview with Beverly and Michael is in two parts, and you are going to want to listen to both. In this first part, you’ll learn how Beverly and Michael met, and the circumstances that brought them to San Miguel. Since at the time of the interview I had not yet been to the city, I was curious to know a bit more about it, and they were happy to share. Now that I have been, well let me just say their enthusiasm is justified!   In part two, you’ll learn more about the course "Moving Abroad: A Hero’s Journey” itself. Beverly and Michael also have a special offer, just for Dance listeners, that you will want to know about. Whether you are considering a move abroad, or whether you decide to stay where you are, “A Hero’s Journey," based in the work of the brilliant Joseph Campbell, will give you the insights and new capabilities to move forward into a richer and more fulfilling life.    So please join me in this interview with Dr. Beverly Nelson and Michael Lee Bartlett, and let’s learn how to make the rest of our lives, the best of our lives.