Sadly, Tina Turner died on May 24, 2023, four years after this article was published.

Over almost six decades, she belted out timeless rock-and-roll favorites like “River Deep—Mountain High,” “Proud Mary,” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”; won 12 Grammys; and sold 200 million records.

And to get from her humble beginnings in the segregated South of tiny Nutbush, Tennessee, to the elegant Chateau Algonquin near Zurich, Switzerland, where she lived, Turner  forded some pretty deep rivers and climbed some pretty tall mountains.

Along the way, she escaped a 14-year controlling and abusive marriage with Ike Turner (her earliest stardom was as Ike and Tina Turner), survived a desperate attempt at suicide, a near-fatal stroke, kidney transplant, loss of a son, and finally, achieved her lifetime search for true love.

A celebration of this legendary singer’s amazing life and 60 years in music is  available with the publication of her memoir, My Love Story, and the new musical based on her life, Tina: The Musical, which is opened on Broadway in fall 2019. This stage musical, presented in association with Tina Turner herself, reveals the untold story of a woman who dared to defy the bounds of her age, gender, and race.

“Bringing this musical to life on stage and working with this team has meant so much to me, I feel that it is in many ways a culmination of my career. London audiences have been and continue to be extraordinary,” Tina Turner said. “Now, the bright lights of Broadway are calling, and I’m very excited to share this beautiful show with New York audiences next year.”

Her new book, My Love Story, is a revealing, inspiring story about how a little girl with an amazing voice and love of singing faced a roller-coaster life with grit, determination, and the will to never give in.

“My biography is life,” Turner said. “The life of a woman who started as a little girl from Nutbush, who, as I’ve said many times, had strong winds against her, yet she stepped out into the big world with nothing but her voice, her optimism, and her will to survive.”

Young Tina Turner, circa 1959. Photo: Looping Studios, Atria Books, An Imprint of Simon & Schuster

Who Is Tina Turner?

Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, is a singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 60 years. She’s won numerous awards, including 12 Grammys.

Turner began her music career with her then-husband, Ike Turner, as a member of The Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Success followed with a string of hits that included “River Deep—Mountain High” and “Proud Mary.”

She divorced Ike in 1978. And after virtually disappearing from the music scene for several years, she rebuilt her career through a string of hits that included her 1984 solo album Private Dancer. In 1986, she published a best-selling memoir I, Tina, which was later turned into the Academy Award-nominated film What’s Love Got to Do With It? As one of the world’s most popular entertainers, Turner has sold more concert tickets than any other solo music performer in history. She lives with her husband, Erwin Bach, in Zurich, Switzerland.

Tina and Erwin in L.A. 1986. Photo: Tina Turner personal collection

A Look Back

Turner begins her memoir with a joyous and stylish wedding: her 2013 marriage to her longtime love, Erwin Bach, after 26 years together as a devoted couple. Soon after, the strong winds began to blow again, and Turner talks for the first time about the health ordeals she’s faced over the last few years, which have included a stroke, debilitating vertigo, cancer, and kidney failure. When Erwin insisted on donating a kidney to Turner, it was the ultimate expression of their enduring love.

United Artists Records-publicity release by McFadden, Strauss, Irwin. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Searching for Love

Before Erwin, Turner spent the first half of her life looking for love. Her mother left her to be raised by her grandmother and denied her daughter affection and approval throughout her life.

With honesty and the benefit of hindsight, Turner revisits in her new book the dark years she spent as a prisoner of abuse and control at the hands of Ike Turner who saw Tia Turner as his creation and meal ticket.

Turner is forthright about her successes and mistakes as a mother and reflects on the recent tragic death of her eldest son. And she talks with great affection about friends who’ve stood by her through the bad years and the good.

Tina Turner albums through the years. Album covers: Amazon.com

Let There Be Music

Turner recalls the high and lows of a six-decade career, beginning with the moment when, still a teenager, she dared to seize an open mike during Ike Turner’s show, wowing the audience (and Ike), and setting her life as a performer in motion.

Turner recounts the thrill of opening for The Rolling Stones and the shock of learning that she was David Bowie’s favorite singer. Both Bowie and Mick Jagger would become her lifelong friends and creative partners. She reveals how a serendipitous alignment of events in the tough period after she bravely escaped Ike’s grasp, both personally and professionally, propelled her from a singer looking for any work to make ends meet to a Grammy Award-winning, internationally acclaimed recording artist who could fill stadiums with tens of thousands of avid fans almost anywhere in the world.

Most of all, My Love Story underscores the hard work, talent, and positive attitude that made Tina Turner a star. And through it all, Turner has ridden the ups and downs with her trademark qualities: strength, energy, good humor, and grace.

“I did dangerous things,” Turner admits, “and dangerous things were done to me, but in the eleventh hour, something always told me when to run, how to survive.”

Tina Turner’s autobiography, titled Tina Turner: My Love Story,  was written with collaborators Deborah Davis and Dominik Wichmann and published by Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The book will also be available from Simon and Schuster audio. The book is a follow up to Turner’s 1986 international bestseller I, Tina. This article was originally published Winter 2019.

From breathtaking ocean views atop its green mountains and rocky cliffs to rolling farmlands of vineyards, horse fields, and historic churches, the island of Mallorca is a spectacular country that is best explored by bicycle. Nestled in the Balearic Sea off the eastern coast of Spain, Mallorca is one of the globe’s hottest underground cycling destinations. It’s sprinkled with riders of abilities that range from top European racing cyclists to touring adventurers seeking unforgettable bike riding and a unique cultural experience.

Recreational riders participating in the Mallorca 312 event. Photo: Mallorca 312

Mallorca is mainly known as a summer beach vacation spot for the nearby Europeans. But it has become a major hotbed for cycling clubs and teams due to its diverse terrain, dry and sunny weather, and its quiet and scenic countryside. If you are a cyclist, recreational or serious, Mallorca is an absolute must for a beautiful bicycling experience…

Mallorca’s Unique Place in the World of Cycling Events

There are iconic events in every participatory sport that stir the imagination and make the inspirational bucket list of average Joes and Janes who seek ultimate personal challenges: finish the New York Marathon, survive a Tough Mudder, conquer the Hawaii Ironman triathlon.

Exotic locations help. And Great hotels, fantastic meals, pre- and post-event parties, and a great venue where the spouse and kids can have fun usually narrow the choices.

For today’s cycling set, those choices are many with one of the best being in Mallorca.

Start of the Mallorca 312 ride. Photo: Mallorca 312

Known throughout the world as cyclosportifs, or Gran Fondos, literally “big rides,” variations of these events have grown in size and stature to cater to every type of cyclist that range from an indoor Peloton rider to a recreational biker and amateur racer. They often have a theme like the Farm to Fork Fondos in the eastern U.S. that promote the ecological connection between bikes and farm-to-table foods. Almost all of them feature some challenging hills; scenic backroads; timed sections, for the competitive; and shorter distance options, for the more pedestrian.

The hardest of hardcore racer wannabes will sign up a year in advance to join some 15,000 amateurs for L’Étape du Tour, a daily leg of the Tour de France. This is where participants can get an honest-to-goodness taste of what the pros experience during a stage in the Alps or Pyrenees, complete with closed roads, mountain passes, and leg cramps.

One cyclosportif that has it all takes place every April in Mallorca. Cycling fans know the Spanish island like baseball fans know Florida. It’s where spring training takes place and where international pro teams flock to limber up and get ready for the long European season.

Riders come from all over the world for spring training in Mallorca. Photo: C. Worthington

Mallorca Is a Hidden Gem for Training

For decades, pro racers and their fans have gone to Mallorca from Sweden, Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Germany, and the U.K. to exchange the cold and snow of late winter for the balmy temperatures, quiet roads, and varied terrain of the beautiful island.

They pile on the miles and fill preseason resorts, which is a boon to Mallorca’s tourist industry that doesn’t peak until summer. Every March and April afternoon, Mallorca’s outdoor cafes fill with cyclists returning from their morning rides. Every nationality, age, and shape are represented along with colorful uniforms, exotic racing bikes, and animated conversation in dozens of languages.

The peloton. Photo: Mallorca 312

Mallorca 312

From this tradition sprung the Mallorca 312, the name of which comes from the distance in kilometers of the original route around the island.

The event was conceived by Xisco Lliteras, the current technical director, and former pro Miquel Alzamora a decade ago in Playa de Muro.

This resort area is located on the north side of the island, which accommodates 70,000 to 80,000 cyclists per year. It’s a surreal haven that includes a fleet of rental bikes that would put a pro team to shame.

Now held annually toward the end of April with some 8,000 participants, the Mallorca 312 has become known as one of the few major sportifs that run over roads and are completely closed to vehicular traffic.

The full cyclosportif tour of Mallorca covers 312 kilometers and has an altitude gain of 5,050 meters. The start and finish are located in Playa de Muro, near Alcúdia. And participants have 14 hours to complete the course.

The mammoth 312-kilometer route contains 5,050 meters of climbing, while there is also a 225-kilometer ride with 3,973 meters of climb and a 167-kilometer course with 2,475 meters of altitude gain.

In all routes, cyclists will ride through the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO under the Cultural Landscape category, which makes the Mallorca 312 worth adding to any bucket list.

From Emily Chappell, a British woman who checked it off her list in 2017:

“No sportif is as downright enjoyable as the Mallorca 312. Like the island that hosts it, it’s a cyclist’s dream – everything’s been thought of, the sun is shining, the tarmac’s smooth and inviting, the food is great, the locals are friendly, the hills are gentle but dramatic, and you get to pretend you’re a professional bike racer all day long. What’s not to love?”

Sunrise ride. Photo: Mallorca 312

Planning to Tackle the Mallorca 312?

Well, you better start planning for 2020 because 2019 is completely sold out. That’s not to say you can’t visit and watch. But this is one of the hottest cycling tickets around. Event organizers say the event for 8,000 participants sold out in less than a week. So, mark your calendar for 2020.

Most of the hotels in the area are 4 or 5 stars and specialize in cycling. Like hotels that cater to golfers, these hotels are for cyclists with areas to clean, fix, and store the bikes. Many of the restaurants have menus adapted to cyclists’ needs. And most of them have spas where athletes can recharge their batteries.

Why the Playa de Muro Area Is Perfect for Cycling in Any Season

Whether you choose to sign up for the Mallorca 312 or just bring your bike some other time to explore the area, you will be rewarded with charming seaside villages. The beauty of this part of Mallorca is buoyed by the quiet, unspoiled towns and villages.

Some of the spots you might like to visit are Colonia de Sant Pere, a small, non-touristy fishing village; the beach resort of Cala Mesquida; and laid back Betlem on the Alcúdia bay.

Iberostar Playa de Muro amenities. Photo: Iberostar Hotels & Resorts

Where to Stay

Iberostar Playa de Muro Hotel

No matter what season you choose to visit this cycling-friendly area, you might take a look at one particularly bike-friendly hotel in the area: Iberostar Playa de Muro Hotel. The hotel serves as an ideal base for all outdoor activities, which includes hiking, mountain bike riding, and more.

Don’t want to bring your own bike? You can rent one there. The hotel also offers a bicycle repair shop and guided tours around the island.

Cyclists and all guests will enjoy Gust Restaurant at the hotel where they’ll find the freshest local produce, regional specialties, and international cuisine served.

After their rides or hikes, the active traveler can unwind with a massage or take advantage of the sauna or heated sun beds.

Iberostar Grand Portals Nous

For an exclusive stay near Palma, Iberostar Grand Portals Nous offers a perfect mix of sustainable architecture, cutting-edge design, and premium services.

This adults-only boutique hotel is situated in Portals Nous, just outside of Puerto Portals, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious marinas. And it’s also held by many as one of the most exclusive.

Located a little over 6.5 miles from Palma de Mallorca and with direct access to the beach, the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous boasts an outstanding location in a paradisiacal setting.

This new hotel is part of Iberostar Grand top-of-the-range category that creates experiences tailored to suit each guest and guarantees the most exclusive services: concierge, butler and room services, and personalized advice and recommendations.

One of the many beautiful roads of Mallorca perfect for cycling. Photo: C. Worthington

Mallorca: A Beautiful Bicycling Experience No Matter What Your Level

Here are our top five suggested rides on the island:

1. Playa De Palma

The easiest and most popular cycling route in Mallorca would be a sun-soaked cruise along the beach paths of Palma, located on the southern coast of the island that passes by beach resorts, shops, and cafes, and also the magical Catedral-Basílica de Santa María, a magnificent, ornate Gothic cathedral that watches over the city’s harbor. There is plenty of site seeing and photo ops along this route.

2. Coll de Soller

An iconic mountain directly north of the capitol city, Palma, the Coll de Soller is a twisting road that zigzags up a seemingly endless series of hairpins that rewards ambitious cyclists with an outrageous view of the lowlands below and a coffee and refreshment cafe at the summit. Known for its switchbacks and snakelike approach to the summit, the Coll de Soller is worth the journey. Be sure to visit the Port de Soller before or after at the northern coast for food, hotels, and entertainment.

3. Cap de Formentor

Perhaps the most sought and legendary mountain on the island, the Cap de Formentor is literally and figuratively breathtaking because of its massive beauty, harsh ocean winds, and limitless views of the northern cliffs and mountains that overlook the vast sea below. From the sea line at the island’s north-easternmost tip, the climb peaks after almost 4 kilometers with a proud and stern 19th century lighthouse that stands up to the water’s gusts at its crest with boundless blue waters as its backdrop. Don’t miss out on this one!

4. Sanctuary of Sant Salvador

An underrated scenic and historic destination by bike is the 14th-century monastery Sanctuary of Sant Salvador, which is located on a small isolated mountaintop plateau that overlooks Mallorca’s southeastern rural farmlands. From this vista after another climb to the top, your camera can capture the island with a panoramic view of its southern side that features flatter terrain amidst farms and villages, which makes a rare mountain such as Sant Salvador even more dramatic.

5. Port d’Andratx

To the western side of the island, you will find greener countryside and even hillier terrain. The Port d’Andratx is a serene fishing village and upscale tourist destination nestled on the coast and hidden by the wooded and rugged Tramuntana mountains. Once you make it over the hills, the town boasts some of Mallorca’s best restaurants, finest shopping, and beautiful Italian-style villas that surround the harbor.

After the ride stop at La Terraza Frank en Carmen

After the Ride

There’s nothing better than a cold beer or hot coffee after a long bike ride. And a must visit for cyclists is a hidden gem called La Terraza Frank en Carmen. It would be unfair to list the wonders of Mallorcan cycling without mentioning this little bar and cafe that’s located along Palma de Mallorca’s main beachfront promenade. It’s owned by a cycling-loving Dutchman Frank who invites global cyclists to ride from his place, which is decorated with multicolored cycling jerseys from around the world. The bar features a variety of Belgian beers, excellent coffee and espresso, and great food for any meal of the day. It’s the place to check out before, after, or even as a pit stop on your cycling adventure!

Off the Bike To-Do List

(Clockwise from top left) Terraced vineyard in Banyalbufar; Jose L. Ferrer vineyards and wine barrels. Photos: Deposit Photos

Discover Local Wines

A visit to Spain isn’t complete without learning about the many, many varieties of wine.

For a relatively small island, Mallorca boasts more than 70 wine producers. Perhaps there is such a variety of wine on the island thanks to its early proximity to seafaring trade routes and the influence of ancient civilizations.

It’s likely that the first grapevines were brought to the island by the Phoenicians. Romans, as they did everywhere they ruled, brought some vinicultural expertise and more precise farming practices to the island beginning in 121 B.C. But all that came to a halt for almost 800 years when Spain was under Muslim rule from 711 A.D. to 1492 and wine-making was forbidden on the island. Fortunately, some defied the rule and continued to cultivate vines.

After the Moors were defeated and expelled from the island, wine-making and viticulture once again began to flourish, only to be devastated by the phylloxera virus in the 19th century, which was the plague that destroyed most of vineyards in Europe. It took years to rebuild to what the quality is today.

To taste the amazing wines of the island, you must go there! Although it is certainly possible to find some of the wonderful wines from Mallorca in the U.S., the selection is still limited.

Tasting Wines of Mallorca

There are vibrant white wines made from a local grape Prensal, red wines from grapes like Manto negro and Fogoneu, and rose wines made from these reds.

Many of these local grapes are blended with more common French varieties, such as chardonnay, chenin blanc, syrah, cabernet sauvignon, and merlot, which all create interesting wines that are quite delightful.

Wine Routes to Explore

When you visit Mallorca, you can taste your way around the island by touring the wine routes. In the center of island, 14 wineries participate in the Binissalem D.O. wine route. The trail traverses the towns of Santa Maria del Camí, Consell, Binissalem, Sencelles, and Santa Eugènia.

(Clockwise from top left) Ensaïmada, variety of  Mallorcan cheese (Photo: Heather Halligan); tapas and patatas bravas. (All other photos: Deposit Photos)

Local Mallorcan Food to Try

Ensaïmada: A sugary yeast pastry that’s shaped in a coil and has been made in Mallorca for as far back as the 17th century.

Mallorcan Grimalt Cheese, which is made from cow’s milk.

Tapas like patatas bravas, which are cubed potatoes fried in oil and served with spicy tomato sauce Turron, a nougat candy.

Greixonera de Brossat: A cottage cheese cake.

Culture

Can’t-miss cultural activities include:

Palma de Mallorca. Cathedral. Photo: Deposit Photos

1. Mallorca Cathedral, Palma

An imposing 14th-century cathedral that’s built over the city walls of Palma de Mallorca.

Water fountains over a pathway in the Alfabia, Gardens, Mallorca, Spain.. Photo: Deposit Photos

2. Alfabia Gardens

A house, garden, and orchard that’s located in Bunyola, which is in the middle of the Serra de Tramuntana.

View of a white temple at Son Marroig, former mansion of Archduke Luis Salvado, at Mallorca, Spain

3. Son Marroig Estate

Manor houses that belonged to Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria. They’re located between Valldemossa and Deià on the northern mountain range and have outrageous views.

4. Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle on Palma, built in the 14th century for King James II of Majorca, and is one of the few circular ones in Europe. Photo: Deposit Photos

The royal residence of King James II of Aragon was built in the 14th century and later converted into a mint in the 19th century. It’s located just over a mile and a half from Palma.

By Carolyn Worthington

One of the joys of winter is a roaring fire and a hearty stew or soup with homemade bread to be savored on a laid-back Sunday.

Take that, snowbirds!

A one-pot meal may have meant dinner prepared in a big stew pot to you. But the “one pot” for today’s cook can take the shape of much more than a stew pot. It could be a slow cooker, pressure cooker, Dutch oven, skillet, sheet pan, or the latest, an Instant Pot®, which is today’s answer to the pressure cooker.

If you grew up in the 1950s and had a mother who was skillful with the pressure cooker, then you were lucky.

As a baby boomer, the thought of using a pressure cooker with the chance that it might explode deterred me from even trying what appeared to be a clumsy, scary piece of equipment.

But things have changed as Ellen Brown, author of more than 40 cookbooks and now One Pot Recipes, tells us in her new cookbook.

“Cooking with just one pot or a pan is a welcome throwback to the historic roots of American cooking,” Brown said. “It’s only been in the past century that cooking has involved more than a few pans. That’s because most folks only had one pot and one skillet … If a meal didn’t get made in a Dutch oven or a cast iron skillet, it probably didn’t get made at all.”

Crispy tacos. Photography by Bill Milne; Copyright owned by Sterling Publishing

In her new One Pot Recipes book, Brown details the history of the pressure-cooker renaissance. She describes how pressure-cooking was introduced in the 17th century and evolved to the appliance of the 21st century that satisfied the need to get a meal on the table easily.

“It was the 2009 introduction of the Instant Pot that did for pressure cookers what Crock-Pot® did for slow cookers,” Brown said. “The new generation of pressure cookers is totally user-friendly, with tons of built-in safety mechanisms; the most important of which ensures that the pressure cooker will not turn on unless the lid is properly secured.”

Peruvian Vegetable and Quinoa Stew using the Dutch oven. Photography by Bill Milne; Copyright owned by Sterling Publishing

Phew! It’s worth revisiting pressure cookery with an Instant Pot!

Brown organizes the recipes in the book according to the pot in which they’re cooked. Those include Instant Pots, pressure cookers, slow cookers, the Dutch oven, saucepans, skillets, sheet pans, and roasting pans.

Vegetable Gratin. Photography by Bill Milne; Copyright owned by Sterling Publishing. 

Three of our favorites are Crispy Fish Tacos using the sheet pan, Peruvian Vegetable and Quinoa Stew using the Dutch oven, and Vegetable Gratin using the standard roasting pan.

About the author. Ellen Brown is the founding food editor of USA Today and a prolific cookbook author. Some of her other titles include The New Cast Iron Skillet Cookbook and The New Pressure Cooker Cookbook, published by Sterling Epicure.

That and more is what you will experience at a Dude Ranch.

Dude Ranch vacation at Bar W Guest Ranch offers stylish taste of the West

Dude ranching is much more than guest rooms and horses. It is a sharing of the spirit of the West and the beauty of the wilderness. On a ranch, you’ll experience a world that is dictated by the seasons and cycles of life. It is a simple way of life that demands honesty, integrity, hard work, and a strong spirit.

Your appreciation of nature, family, and friends will be renewed. You’ll find that good riding, good food, and good friends will leave you peaceful and content. You’ll discover the luxuries of silence, the wind on your face, and the stars shining brightly.

More than just a day full of activities, the essence of a ranch vacation nourishes your heart and soul. It is unlike any vacation you’ve ever taken—one that you will return to time and again. It‘s “Horses, Hats, History, Honesty, Heart, and Hospitality” and friends serving friends.

Bar W Guest Ranch

The Bar W is a year-round dude ranch located in Whitefish, Montana. The dude ranch season is May through October, when 6 night and 3 night all-inclusive package stays are offered. The 6-night itinerary runs Sunday through Saturday and is a well-rounded representation of the Western lifestyle. Specialty weeks are geared towards adults and are offered in the spring and fall. Specialty weeks include; a women’s only week “Cowgirl Up”, “Adults Only Week”, “Photography Week” and “Cattle Drive Weeks”.

Nestled at the base of Spencer Mountain, between two pine-cover ridges, there are over three thousand beautiful acres available for horseback riding and outdoor activities. The Bar W Guest Ranch sits at 3,200 ft elevation, is just 3.5 miles from downtown Whitefish, named one of the “Top Ten Cool Towns” by Frommer’s Budget Travel, and less than 30 miles from Glacier National Park, “The Crown of the Continent.”

As a member of the National Dude Ranchers’ Association and the Montana Dude Ranchers’ Association, the ranch strives to provide guests with an authentic dude ranch experience. Vacation packages begin with the proper pairing of each guest to a well-trained Bar W ranch horse, followed by a morning horsemanship lesson. Emphasis is always placed on the safety of guests and the welfare of the horses.

Guests can saddle up and enjoy thousands of acres of Montana wilderness on horseback or enjoy the array of arena activities including barrel racing, pole pending, cow sorting, roping, and team penning. By the end of the week, the cheers of new friends will surround each guest as they compete at the Bar W Guest Rodeo.

Along with the beautiful weather, Montana summers bring a variety of outdoor activities around the ranch and the surrounding area. The fishing is as good as the sunsets, catching large trout and Pike both on the Bar W trout pond and Spencer Lake.

Take the family for a leisurely cruise around the lake on a row boat or canoe, jump in for a refreshing swim, hike miles of trails, enjoy a relaxing afternoon of birding and lawn games, or explore the unspoiled nature of Montana on Bar W mountain bikes.

Follow the expert wranglers to the play meadow for skeet shooting or archery or take the afternoon to whitewater raft down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with Glacier Raft Company (rafting is an additional charge, but we provide transportation for you!).

Photo: Bar W Guest Ranch

After a long day of activities, unwind in the hot tub or sit back, relax and let Montana surround you. Your day doesn’t have to be over when the horses are fed and put out for the night. Enjoy an evening wagon ride, cowboy singing, campfires, cookout dinners, western dancing, and even experience the excitement of the local rodeo when scheduled. Guests are invited to participate in all of our activities but are always welcome to sit back, relax, and soak in the fresh air.

The main lodge is 6,200 square feet with six bedrooms, three common spaces, and a game parlor to entertain guests for hours. Designed by the Amish, the cabin consists of two suites overlooking the south pasture and a forest full of wildlife.

Sleeping up to sixteen, the cabins are great for groups and families looking for true western hospitality. Bar W Glamping, or glamorous camping, provide guests with an unparalleled cowboy vacation. Guests will experience the best of both worlds – feeling a part of nature while staying in an elegant setting with the comforts of home. The Bar W is ready to treat you with true western Montana hospitality – from the moment you arrive until long after the sun sets.

For more information about a Dude Ranch vacation, visit Dude Ranchers’ Association and Bar W Guest Ranch.

Iberostar Grand Portals Nous restaurant shows off cutting edge design. Photo: Iberostar

About Iberostar Grand Portals Nous

Following its opening in July 2016, the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous offers a perfect mix of sustainable architecture, cutting-edge design, and premium services.

This adults-only boutique hotel is situated in Portals Nous, just outside of Puerto Portals, one of the Mediterranean’s most prestigious marinas and also held by many to be one of the most exclusive.

Located a little over 6.5 miles from Palma de Mallorca and with direct access to the beach, the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous boasts an outstanding location in a paradisiacal setting.

Iberostar Portales Nous spa, Mallorca, Spain. Photo: Iberostar

Cutting-Edge Design

The interior of the new hotel is the work of top Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, who’s internationally renowned for his iconic interiors. With the opening of this new hotel, he’s once again revolutionized the design concept, leaving his unmistakable mark on the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous.

The 66 exclusive rooms reflect his unique sense of style. They feature a perfect mix of white, reflective, and transparent surfaces that converge to form a warm and open setting. He has skillfully converted the entire hotel into a work of art that’s guaranteed to surprise and delight guests in search of a relaxing few days immersed in pleasure and luxury on the shores of the Mediterranean.

One of the unique Iberostar Grand Portals Nous rooms. Photo: Iberostar

A Boutique Hotel Offering Unique Rooms

Tailored to fully meet the expectations of all types of guests, the range of rooms available at the hotel includes executive doubles and four penthouse doubles with a private terrace and Jacuzzi.

The hotel’s guests will also have the keys of a BMW hybrid, which they’ll be welcome to use. The fabulous range of facilities in all the rooms includes a coffee machine and capsules, Bulgari Blue Tea amenities, and a media hub.

Moreover, the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous is determined to go one step further. It offers a number of exclusive rooms designed with the sole aim of provoking endless pleasure for the senses, created around five themes: Naughty, Stargazer, Games, Heritage, and Spa.

The two Naughty Suites are ideal for those who wish to let their imaginations run wild and live out their secret fantasies. These one-of-a-kind suites feature fabrics with sensual finishes that combine leather and silk textures and also offer a wide range of luxurious touches: a huge round bed with a ceiling mirror, chaise longue, the “Sexy Relax” chair designed by R. Hutten, a box of “tricks,” and even a dance pole.

In turn, the Games Suite features a selection of games to guarantee a fun-filled stay. They include a pinball machine, table football videogame console, and a putting green on the terrace. Those who prefer total rest and relaxation can opt for the Spa Suite, which has its own sauna and the possibility of massage treatments in the room. The Heritage Suite offers lovers of art and antiques the chance to rediscover the delights of yesteryear.

Stargazer Suite. Photo: Iberostar

The Stargazer Suite combines the perfect space for admiring the constellations in the most luxurious setting, which recreates the atmosphere of an authentic planetarium. Guests sleep under a Swarovski starred ceiling and have access to the full range of equipment and facilities necessary to enjoy the experience to the full. That includes a professional telescope.

The hotel has also reached an agreement with the Mallorcan Institute of Astronomy and Aeronautics (IAAM in its Spanish initials), which has worked closely with Iberostar to create a one-of-a-kind experience: The Stargazer Suite Astronomical Baptism.

From the suite terrace, guests will learn to identify the stars visible in the Mallorcan sky, aided by the finest cutting-edge equipment and materials. Those include a CPC-800 catadioptric telescope and a laser to point out the stars in the sky.

Also available is an introduction to astrophotography with the CCD camera that’s mounted on the telescope eyepiece. The session lasts for 60 minutes and is free of charge for guests (from the second night onward). Furthermore, for guests who are interested in adding to their experience, the hotel can arrange a visit to Costitx Planetarium.

One of the culinary specialties at Iberostar Grand Portals Nous.

Superb Gastronomy

Guests at the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous will enjoy the finest and most exclusive services, starting with the fabulous choice of culinary delights. Quality is guaranteed, thanks to the four spaces designed to serve select local and international organic cuisine.

The gastronomy at Astir echoes the sensations produced by the breathtaking cliffs and rugged coves that form a sharp contrast with the beaches that line the Mallorcan coastline. Characterized by a clearly Mallorcan identity, this restaurant pays its own special tribute to the island’s rich cultural history: the results of the tireless work of local producers who pour their hearts and souls into offering the authentic essence of unique flavors.

Spectacular finish to gastronomic experience by Chef Ivan Crespo

The restaurant’s new chef, Iván Crespo, famous for his international experience, has designed a menu inspired by Mallorca’s rich cultural history, tailored to suit all tastes, and paired with the finest selection of wines and sparkling wines.

Culinary delights are paired to perfection with an extensive and meticulously selected wine list, which adds further dimension to the choice of dishes. The list includes a refined range made by unique wineries that specialize in producing gloriously grand wines on small plots of land.

One of Mallorca’s finest gastronomic experiences is rounded off to perfection with the Selini Lobby Bar or the eye-catching Dom Pérignon-themed Champagne bar, a magical venue in which to savor the very finest champagnes in a prime seafront location

Premium Fit & Wellness

Tailored to help all the hotel’s guests boost their wellness, reduce stress levels, experience a sense of rejuvenation, and restore their natural beauty, the hotel facilities include the PHYSICA Health & Beauty Spa. The PHYSICA Spa is a space that combines the avant-garde designs of Marcel Wanders inspired by the constellations with cutting-edge beauty treatments.

The list of services at PHYSICA includes first-class products from the German cosmetics house BABOR, which is internationally renowned for its organic and sustainable characteristics, and luxury cosmetics by Perricone MD, which is a favorite with famous international A-listers. Guests staying at the Iberostar Grand Portals Nous can also receive personalized expert advice on the latest innovations in cosmetic technologies.

Highlights include the treatments directed by Dr. Raaul Cohen, a leading colonic hydrotherapist and expert naturopath who offers help and advice to all guests who are eager to make the most of the opportunity to give their wellness a boost during their stay. There are even weekly programs that comprise of special diets and daily treatments that are ideal for cleansing mind and body. Guests can choose from the list of treatments, which range from exclusive massages and manicures to intensive therapies that are designed to combat orange-peel skin, such as the innovative Stop Cellulite 3D method.

All these services can be combined to perfection with an enjoyable round of golf at any of the seven courses located within easy reach of the hotel, which includes the Bendinat Royal Golf Club, or with a choice of watersports, which are guaranteed to delight sea lovers.

Welcome to Iberostar Portals Nous

Personalized Experiences

This new hotel is part of Iberostar Grand top-of-the-range category that creates experiences tailored to suit each guest and guarantees the most exclusive services: concierge, butler and room services, and personalized advice and recommendations.

On arrival to the hotel, guests will be greeted by a butler service endorsed by the prestigious British Butlers Guild. This includes a “menu” of special services that includes butlers accompanying guests to their rooms; an explanation of the facilities and services; luggage unpacking and packing; advice on how to guarantee a sound night’s sleep (a pillow menu, choice of aromas, and culinary recommendations); a selection of aromas for their stay; a menu; recommendations for eco-friendly soaps made locally on Mallorca; 10 exquisite fragrances; and the chance to enjoy a number of special baths.

One of the objectives of this hotel is to thoroughly pamper its guests, which allows them to completely relax. This is the philosophy behind the exclusive guest experience, which offers unlimited personalized services and advice from the hotel staff, who are on hand to cater to guests’ every need.

For more information, visit: Iberostar Grand Hotel Portal Nous.

By Megan Bond

Kids not wanting their parents’ stuff is a hot topic. Just try Googling “kids wanting your stuff,” and you’ll be overwhelmed by the articles on the subject, not to mention the responses that those articles get on social media.

If the articles don’t sufficiently cover the subject for you, there are plenty of books available, too. Marni Jameson’s book Downsizing the Family Home: What to Save, What to Let Go is fast becoming the go-to book for downsizing. Part memoire and part how-to, it was published in 2015 by AARP and is the recipient of numerous awards.

And don’t worry, it’s not just an American thing. Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing has sold more than 7 million copies worldwide. Meanwhile, Margareta Magnusson has published a book to teach us The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning. Who’s titling these books, anyway? You’ll find these books, and many more, in a growing subsection about “stuff” in the home and organizing section of your local book store or library.

With all this publicity about how little your kids will want, you might think that everyone has given up on the idea. But that’s not the case. And if you’re honest with yourself, you want some of your things to go to your kids, too—or grandkids, second cousin, or third cousin twice removed on your stepmother’s side.

How do I know? I’m a professional downsizer. Every day, I work with people to move and downsize. I’m part of a growing industry, usually called “senior move managers.” And I’m a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).

Based on my experience, there are some strategies that may allow you to give some of your stuff to family:

Hand-me-downs. Photo (left): Deposit Photos; (center and right) CWIProphoto.com

1. Not everything

When downsizing, parents will often want their children to take everything they can’t take. Or parents will say, “Take anything you want!” Faced with so many options, many children will opt for nothing. It’s just easier. It takes time and often creates complications to “pick” items. Instead, you should…

2. Make it specific and explain why

Most kids won’t accept “everything” and “anything.” So, instead try something like this: “I want you to take my father’s medals from World War I. I have them all in this box and have written down the stories of how he received each one.” Or you can say, “I want you to take my typewriter. It was the last gift given to me by your grandmother. And it’s the only thing I have left from my college years.” These are specific and meaningful, so most family will accept these kinds of requests.

3. Size matters

Asking family to take your antique watch is different from asking them to take the grandfather clock. Asking them to take the jewelry box that your father made is different from asking them to take the five-piece dining room set that came with your great- grandparents from Ireland.

4. Your collectibles

Collectors look at their collection and think about when each piece came into their possession. Whether it was a gift or a lucky find, each piece tells a story. But that story is a personal story. “Your” collection is just that: yours. Don’t expect that importance to resonate with other family members.

5. No strings attached

Good news, your granddaughter wants your dining room table! She’s planning to paint it hot pink, remove the Queen Anne legs, and replace them with short metals ones so she can use it as a coffee table. Or your favorite cousin wants your Lionel train set. He knows a metal sculptor who can turn it into a cool light fixture. Do you still want your family to get your stuff if they’re going to alter it? You have to be willing to give your things away without strings attached. And that means your things might be used differently from how you expected.

6. Accept their answer

When they say “no,” accept it. They are more likely to say “yes” to some things if they know that they have control over what they’re getting

7. No idle threats

Demonstrate your acceptance of their answer by following through. If you say “if you don’t take the widgets, they’ll be donated,” and your family still can’t take them, the widgets need to go to donation—period.

8. Slippery slope

Your sister-in-law wants one teacup from your mother’s teacup set. Are you willing to break up the set? Or are you going to say, “If you’re going to take your grandparents’ china, you really should take their linens, too”? No, this is the slippery slope. Let your sister-in-law take the one cup, and let the china go without the linens. Unless the collection is valuable and would be affected by dividing it up, let your family take only the things they want.

9. Expect surprises

When your family is free to select, knowing there are no strings attached and their answers will be accepted, you may be surprised by what they select. Expect to be surprised; it’ll make the process so much easier on everyone!

I wish I could guarantee that these strategies will work for everyone and with all their stuff. But I can’t. Your stuff and your family are unique. But when you use these nine strategies, you should have a better outcome. Always remember that maintaining good relationships is far more important than maintaining “stuff.” Good luck with your downsizing!

Megan Bond is a certified senior move manager and president of Complete Transitions. She is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM).

By Mary E. Davison

Shoot. There’s still smoke.

Disappointed, I started the descent from Swiftcurrent Pass. I’d hoped the smoke would be cleared. Other hikers had told me it was clear from Many Glacier to the top of the pass, but they’d left Many Glacier two days earlier. Today, smoke from the fire that had consumed the Sperry Chalet had spread even past Swiftcurrent Pass. It had joined with smoke from the Canadian fire near Waterton. Still, the haze was slightly less than the day before. I wanted to take it all in, intentionally observing everything, trying to soak it all into my vision and memory.

In spite of the smoke, the high country was still beautiful—all shades of brown, yellow, and red ground cover in this very dry September. (The ranger on the border had said no measureable precipitation had fallen for 90 days.) The few remaining banks of snow amid rocky crags gradually became more visible as I neared them, smoky haze not obscuring everything. Although, no pictures I took would show the clear beauty of a blue sky. Green trees and bushes, rocky crags, and ground cover were all grayed with smoky haze.

This was my last day to complete the Continental Divide Trail for my Triple Crown. No putting it off until another year. At age 76, I couldn’t be sure that I would have another year with the ability or opportunity for a multiday backpack. This was the year to complete my goal, a journey that had begun 14 years ago, before I knew a Triple Crown existed. I’d walked nearly 8,000 miles for the Triple Crown and 2,000 miles more on other long trails. Who knew how many more trails I would be able to walk?

As I descended, I could see two moving white dots on the opposite hill. Goats. Mountain goats. Walking a little closer, I could make out heads, too, reaching down to graze, and barely seen legs moving white dots across dry forage between rocky cliffs. I was excited and happy to see the goats.

The best was yet to come. I turned a corner around the shoulder of a ridge, singing old Girl Scout songs at the top of my lungs as a warning to bears that I was on the trail. And, WOW. A grizzly bear popped out of the trees on the lower side of the trail, 50 to 75 feet in front of me. The grizzly didn’t even glance at the walking singer, just lumbered gracefully across the trail and up the gulley. Stunning!

I watched in awe, but the bear was not interested in me or a threat to me. I also saw another bear up the gully. These were mature grizzlies. Though I’d been walking in grizzly country since northern Colorado five years ago, I’d never seen a grizzly before. I was thrilled.

How quickly the grizzly covered ground, even though he seemed in no particular hurry. Big boulders and a few trees kept getting in the way of a clear view. I didn’t want to spend precious moments trying to focus a camera. I only wanted to watch the grizzlies until they turned the corner out of sight in a rocky cleft above the trail.

What an amazing gift for my last day on the Continental Divide Trail.

After the grizzlies disappeared, I continued down the trail and turned another corner. Swiftcurrent Basin opened up. The trail was cut along cliffs, switchbacking down to the valley below. Four thin waterfalls plunged hundreds of feet into the high mountain bowl. Even through smoky haze, I could look above the waterfalls to glaciers. Yes, there was smoke. No, the pictures wouldn’t be as spectacular as they would have been without the smoke. But even a smoke-filled valley couldn’t completely obscure the grandeur of the view as I made out the outline of Bullhead Lake far below me.

It was an awesome way to end the Continental Divide Trail. On a personal high, I walked the rest of the way to Many Glacier. Last day on the trail and two magnificent grizzly bears. Pretty hard for a 76-year-old lady to beat that.

There were lots of day hikers from Bullhead Lake to Many Glacier. Several spoke to me. I was the one with a big smile on my face, carrying a backpack. I was only too happy to announce that I thought I might be the oldest hiker to complete the Triple Crown.

Several of them said I was an inspiration as they, in their 50s and 60s, were thinking their hiking days might be over. They said if I could complete a Triple Crown at 76, perhaps they could continue to hike. I recommended they recognize their limitations, not try to do what young hikers do in exactly the same way, or even what they themselves used to do, but plan their hikes according to what they could do now: get lightweight equipment and keep on hiking.

It can be done. I know. I am an old hiker. I have three joint replacements and the usual assortment of conditions common to those in their 70s. Yet, I completed the Triple Crown of long-distance hiking at age 76.

Some people I have met along the trails and years, as well as on that day, suggested I write a book. I hope they and others will enjoy reading this book. It is not a how-to book. It is the story of my journey to the Triple Crown, the story of an aging hiker completing the Triple Crown in spite of problems common with advancing age. Come, adventure with me. Discover the joys and challenges of three of our National Scenic Trails.

With lightweight equipment, a love of walking through wilderness, a certain skillset for living outdoors and moving safely on the trail, and creativity in adapting expectations to abilities, older hikers can hike long trails.

If you are one of those older hikers, huzza for you. If you are an armchair reader, may you enjoy the trails vicariously as you meet your own challenges, discover your own possibilities, and celebrate your age.

Mary E. Davison completed the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail at age 76. And she’s the oldest person to do so. She received the Triple Crown Award from the American Long Distance Hiking Association and wrote a book, Old Lady on the Trail: Triple Crown at 76.

By David Bardsley

Sleep…

We all know people who say they get by on five or six hours of sleep a night. They’re correct. That’s just what they are doing: getting by. But they’re not performing at their mental best. Adults, with rare exceptions, need seven to nine hours of sleep per day. Less than 1 percent of the population can function optimally on less. Just one night of disturbed sleep will produce a measurable decrease in your cognitive ability to perform mental activities, such as problem solving or learning new information, the next day.

One of the simplest tests to perform in psychology is to observe how your mental functions change with sleep deprivation.

For example, studies have shown that when military personal are given a cognitive test and then deprived of sleep for five consecutive nights and then retested, there is a sixty percent decrease in their scores.

Four steps to achieve a better quality and quantity of sleep:

1. Adjust room temperature. Turn down the thermostat. Studies show that there’s an optimum room temperature for sleeping. And it’s much cooler than you might think: 60 to 66 degrees F. Use an extra blanket but keep the room’s temperature low.

2. Set three alarms.

Wake-up alarm. The time you wish to get up and start your day (e.g., 6 a.m.).

Sleep alarm. Set this alarm eight hours before your sleep alarm (e.g., 10 p.m.). When this alarm goes off, you should be in bed or ready to immediately get into bed.

Preparatory alarm. This alarm is the most important. Set this 30 minutes before the sleep alarm (e.g. 9:30 p.m.). This alarm signals that it’s time to prepare for sleep. Begin your normal bedtime routine at this time: brush and floss your teeth, put on your pajamas, etc.

3. Be aware of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced in your brain naturally in response to darkness. It helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. Light decreases its production. This is why people often wear eye masks at night: to block out the light so the brain will produce more melatonin. As we age, our melatonin production often decreases.

At the sound of your preparatory alarm, turn off all your screens: television, computer, tablet, cell phone, etc. The bright light emitted from these screens will shut down the production of melatonin in the pineal gland of your brain.

4. Block out worrisome thoughts. These negative thoughts are what prevent us from falling asleep initially and keep us from falling back to sleep should we awake in the middle of the night. An effective way to block negative thoughts is to listen to an audiobook as you try to fall asleep.

The human brain can’t have two simultaneous thoughts. It’s impossible to have a happy and a sad thought at the same time. The audiobook gives your brain something to focus on so you don’t ruminate on negative thoughts. You can set the audiobook to play for a certain length of time (e.g., 10 minutes, 20 minutes, etc.) so it doesn’t continue to play all night.

Sleep well and notice the improvements in your clarity, energy, and mental ability the next day.

David Bardsley is the author of Smarter Next Year: The Revolutionary Science for a Smarter, Happier You.

By Clare Haugh

Picture it: a full tank of gas, the perfect playlist, one arm hanging out the window, and the wide-open road beckoning.

Whether it’s a long weekend getaway or a month-long trek across the country, the great American road trip is back, big time.

In fact, according to the 2017–2018 Portrait of American Travelers report by the travel and marketing agency MMGY Global, domestic travel now makes up 85% of American vacations, and 39% of those are road trips.

It’s not hard to see why…

Road trips are inherently more free-form than most travel: You see and experience more when you’re on the road. You can stretch your legs and explore gorgeous scenery and quirky pitstops. And it’s much cheaper than an international flight.

All you really need is a car and a sense of spontaneity. Armed with a guidebook, you’ll have the added bonus of local insider tips and itinerary suggestions right there in the glove box.

There’s a lot of ground to cover in North America. So, choosing a route for your next adventure can be daunting. For a little inspiration to get started, here are five incredible road trips to add to your must-do list…

Newport, Rhode Island harbor. Photo: Moon New England Road Trip

New England

Discover a slice of America that’s both steeped in history and full of exciting food, art, and culture. Sample farm-fresh cuisine in the Berkshires, or hit up the famous Tanglewood Music Festival in the summer. Dive into Boston’s revolutionary history, or browse the funky galleries in Brattleboro, Vermont. Take to the sea off the coast of Maine to spot humpback whales and puffin colonies, or lounge on the beach and snag a buttery lobster roll.

To start planning, check out Moon New England Road Trip.

Santa Cruz Coastline. Photo: Stuart Thornton

California

A cruise along the California coast is an epic journey: hundreds of miles of vibrant cities, lively coastal towns, and dramatic cliffs, all bordered by the glittering Pacific Ocean. Coast by fields of golden California poppies, or stop at a seaside grill in Santa Barbara for the best chicharrón and Baja fish tacos you’ve ever tasted. Marvel at the thundering waves at Big Sur, or dance down rainbow-colored streets in San Francisco’s Castro District.

To start planning, check out Moon California Road Trip.

Tupelo Guitar. Photo: Margaret Littman

Nashville to New Orleans

From Music City to the Big Easy, cruising through the heart of the South along the verdant Natchez Trace Parkway is pretty much nonstop fun. Grab some hot chicken, and two-step to country classics in Nashville. Indulge in jazz and Creole cuisine in New Orleans, and enjoy barbecue and blues in Memphis. Visit important monuments of the civil rights movement, and learn about the South’s musical legacy on the Mississippi Blues Trail.

To start planning, check out Moon Nashville to New Orleans Road Trip.

Leaning Tower of Texas, Groom, Texas. Photo: Moon Southwest Road Trip

The Southwest

Wind-carved red rocks, brightly painted adobe houses, and miles of open desert road: a drive through the American Southwest is pretty much the quintessential road trip. Revel in the glitz of Las Vegas, or shop the markets of Santa Fe. Admire at the sandstone spires of Monument Valley and the cliff dwellings of Mesa Verde National Park. Or go mountain biking in Moab or swimming in Havasu Falls.

To start planning, check out Moon Southwest Road Trip.

Blue Mountain sunset. Photo: Daveallenphoto | Dreamstime

Blue Ridge Parkway

One of America’s most scenic highways connects the green valleys of Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains. And from the museums of Washington, D.C., to the breweries of Asheville, North Carolina, there’s plenty of culture to soak up along the way. Listen to live bluegrass music with a glass of local moonshine, drive past fields brimming with fireflies, and wander through American history.

To start planning, check out Moon Blue Ridge Parkway Road Trip.

Bonus: Can’t make up your mind? No problem! For the ultimate in classic two-lane highway adventures, grab a copy of Moon Road Trip USA.

By Davina Kotulski, Ph.D.

People come to me to address unhappy circumstances in their lives, and I’m happy to help. As a psychologist with over two decades of experience in helping people make the changes that they need to create happy lives, I’ve witnessed how connecting with their authentic truth is essential to creating meaningful change.

Recent studies show that 1 out of 12 Americans is abusing substances, 1 in 8 is taking antidepressants, more than half are feeling disconnected from their jobs, and many are unhappy in their relationships. I believe now more than ever that people need support to find the courage to be true to themselves.

People give many reasons for not being true to themselves:

• Fear of rejection or looking selfish. • A tendency to try to please people. • A hesitancy to take up too much space. • A dread of making others uncomfortable. • Not trusting themselves to make the right moves. • A fear that life won’t support them if they step out of their comfort zone.

In the end, all these reasons come down to deciding whether or not we’ll choose what seems practical and reasonable or choose what truly inspires us and brings us joy.

Our reality is subjective, determined by our experiences and shaped by our thoughts and beliefs. Many of us have an objection to feeling joyous. Something in us resists feeling wonderful, resists the fullness of life. Religious doctrine has contributed to this.

Bliss, as Joseph Campbell recognized, is our natural state. You can see this bliss in babies or young children. It’s there whenever nothing is disturbing them. Bliss arises spontaneously when our thoughts and reactions don’t get in the way.

Yet, as Marianne Williamson shared eloquently in her book A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles,” which I’ll paraphrase here, we have a fear of being who we really are in all our magnificence. Something in us fights the bliss. Thoughts and reactions can block the feelings of our true self.

We also strangely believe that there’s just so much happiness to go around, as if happiness were distributed like pieces of pie. We tell ourselves that we’re only entitled to a limited amount, less we take more than our fair share or rob someone else of their happiness quotient. We also believe that our happiness will hurt other people, which causes us to dim our radiance and live with far less joy than is possible. This is the phenomenon of anti-bliss.

Happiness is not a pie, although it may bring us a moment of pleasure going down.

Happiness is not divided into a limited number of pieces.

Happiness is the fundamental state of our being, the nature of our humanity. There’s an infinite supply of happiness. We no longer need to be driven by the voice in our heads, with its stories of fear, anger, grief, and guilt. We can choose to live in a state of bliss that entails listening to and following the heart, rather than anti-bliss and being driven by the mind.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Am I living the life I want to live? • Am I letting fear stop me from following my heart? • Have I made changes but become discouraged by what seem like setbacks? • Do I find it hard to listen to and follow my own voice because the voices of society, friends, and family drown me out? • Am I concerned that my happiness will hurt others? • Do I please others at my own expense?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you’re not alone.

Being yourself is about creating a life that brings out your talents, gifts, values, personal truths, sensibilities, and passions. It’s about discovering what’s in your heart and having the courage to actualize your desires by stepping out with faith in yourself.

Here are some tips to help you choose happiness:

Photo: Deposit Photos

1. Every day, write down eight things that you’re grateful for

I call these my “grateful lists.” This list may include things like a roof over my head, the air that I breathe, clean water to drink, friends, and the ability to see (with reading glasses). When we connect with what we’re grateful for, it raises us up.

Photo: Brigitte Tohm, Unsplash

2. Take time to slow down and smell the roses

We live in a fast-paced time. We’re trying to keep up with emails, texts, and tweets not only from people in our current lives but we’re now also connected to everyone we’ve ever known through social media. We’re always on the go, trying to best ourselves and others with bigger and better things when the best thing we could do is slow down. When was the last time you stopped to watch a sunset or took a relaxing walk? We need to feel our feet on the ground and to be in our body, not 10 steps ahead of it. Allow yourself to linger in the moment and appreciate the smaller details of life—to be in this reality, not just virtual reality.

Photo: Deposit Photos

3. Declutter

Our environments matter. When we have broken things or too many things on our desks, in our closets or in our homes, it causes us stress. Begin to remove the items in your home that no longer bring you joy. Fix, donate, or throw out broken items and clothes that don’t fit or are out of style. Pare down. Keep only the things you really love and need, and you’ll find that this will bring more happiness and peace into your home.

Photo: Aaron Burden, Unsplash

4. Surround yourself with beauty

This will mean different things to different people. I have a membership to the beautiful Huntington Gardens near my home. But this could include buying yourself flowers, taking in art, going for walks in nature, sipping tea on your deck, or going to a spa. Beauty uplifts the spirit. Be intentional about connecting with it.

Dr. Davina Kotulski is a psychologist, life coach, and author of It’s Never Too Late to Be Your Self: Follow Your Inner Compass and Take Back Your Life. Dr. Kotulski offers a free self-care assessment and hearticulation worksheets to start getting clarity on how to create your authentic life. You can find these materials on her website: FollowYourCourageousHeart.com.