Special Guest Expert - Alana Cahoon: Video automatically transcribed by Sonix

Special Guest Expert - Alana Cahoon: this mp4 video file was automatically transcribed by Sonix with the best speech-to-text algorithms. This transcript may contain errors.

Daniel Aaron:
Does it take to create a vibrant, thriving life? First, the sad news is that Thoreau was right most people are leading quiet lives of desperation, lacking in meaning, fulfillment, and vitality. But we choose more. We choose to create extraordinary lives and the art of vibrant living. Show entertains you with inspiration, empowerment and education to create your life into a masterpiece. It's time. Let's vibe up. Aloha, y'all. Daniel. Aaron, I am your host. This is the Art of Vibrant Living show and I'm so excited for y'all. We got an amazing show today, a phenomenal guest. I'll tell you more about her in a moment. The Art of Vibrant Living. It's a mouthful. It's more than a mouthful, though. It's a possibility and it could be a reality for you. What does it mean? Well, it depends on you. It's up to your definition of what vibrant living means. It is, though, the possibility of truly being fulfilled in your life and. Two things I encourage you to one today. Listen. Be entertained. Be inspired. Yes, that's cool. And take something that Alana shares and say, ooh, that's more than just a good idea. That's something I'm going to act upon. I'm going to do something with it. Try it out. Experiment. Right. That's where the rubber meets the road. And if you would like to be in a conversation with me, if I could support you to create even more vibrancy in your life, to create what you want, to move away from something, perhaps. Reach out to me Daniel at Daniel aaron.com and let's have a conversation. So today's show is very exciting. Alana Cahoon is a phenomenal woman. She's the visionary behind Grow to Be You, LLC, renowned for designing signature programs that guide high achieving professionals and entrepreneurs through profound journeys of personal and professional metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is such a great word clients gain from accessing her extensive training and lifelong holistic health, creativity and conscious leadership, enabling them to unlock their inherent wisdom and apply it across all facets of their life, creating harmony, abundance and well-being and health, wealth and happiness. She's the best selling author of mindfulness Mantra and Meditations and hosts the Creating Abundance podcast. I'm so excited a lot to thank you for joining us today. Welcome.

Alana Cahoon:
Hi, Daniel. Thanks for having me here.

Daniel Aaron:
It's an honor. It's a pleasure. I love what you are up to in the world creating abundance and vibrancy. So tell us if you would, because I have the advantage of knowing you a little bit ahead of time. How did you get here? How is it that you've come to be doing this work that is empowering and inspiring people around the world?

Alana Cahoon:
Well. I used to say there were three of me. My first career path was in the arts. I made my way to New York City, where I sang, uh, at clubs. I acted on stages, worked in offices, and waited on tables. Uh, and then I found myself working a real job, a 9 to 5 job. And that was the program director of a business technology incubator. And so at the time, I didn't even know what an incubator was, but it was a program and a facility that helped entrepreneurs, uh, take their idea off the canvas and into the world as a thriving company. Throughout all of my life, I've been drawn to the holistic, the natural world. And, uh, so during my time in New York City, I became a vegetarian. Actually, I did that when I was 17. I started meditating at 16. And, uh, when I was in New York, though, I became a member of the New York Open Center. It was a holistic learning center where I met all kinds of amazing people like, um, the, uh, late Zen priest Akhnaten, who's written, I don't know, probably 50 books on mindfulness. Uh, and then I continued my holistic path throughout my life, not knowing that there was actually a living to be made or, you know, that I could take everything I've been gaining throughout my life and do what I'm doing today, which is I don't think much further away from what you're doing. And that's to help people live vibrantly right, creating abundance not only in their bank account, but in their hearts, in their bodies, in their in their minds and in their homes. Yeah.

Daniel Aaron:
Well that's beautiful. That's awesome. Thank you. And, uh, and I love the open center. I used to live in New York, in upstate New York. And I didn't know that part about tick. Not Han. He's he, I guess you could say was in this case, um, as you pointed out, truly a phenomenal being. And, uh, and I just remembered the other day I've forgotten this for years that I actually took Buddhist vows with him, um, many years ago, too. So cool. That's that's cool. I love hearing that part of your background. Um, and, and I love the way you shared your experience of New York and being on stage and waiting tables, and. Right. That's such a, um, you know, a beautiful archetype and, um, reality that's there for so many people. Um, and so you bring, you bring a really cool combination of performing and service, right? Because that's some level of what those industries bring about. And then this technology and business incubator experience. So cool. Um, how? How does all of that come together for you now in the way you work?

Alana Cahoon:
Yeah, well, I work primarily with people who are, as I tend to call them now, high achievers. And many of us are, especially in this country that I believe we're both in the US. We live in a fast paced world, a technological world where we're, uh, sometimes expected to work around the clock. We certainly are able to, uh, and so my job, I feel, is to help people bring more balance and harmony into their lives, uh, to continue on that path of high achievement, setting your goals big and and and but having the health and the abundance of time to actually enjoy your rewards from all of that hard work. Um, so learning to take breaks throughout the day, stopping to not eat lunch in front of your computer, have this conversation with a client yesterday. Um, and I used to do it. I did it myself, so I, I kind of get it, you know, I've, I've lived in different ways as a singer in New York. It was not fast paced at all. And at the incubator, it was very fast paced. So I, I get both sides and why not enjoy enjoy life, you know, bring awareness to everything and take that time to pause and enjoy the flower, the bird, the trees. And and the hard work that you're, you've been applying yourself to.

Daniel Aaron:
Okay. Yeah. Cool. I'm with you. So can I play Angel's advocate with you for a moment?

Alana Cahoon:
You certainly may.

Daniel Aaron:
Because as my experience anyway, for myself and with clients and colleagues, as entrepreneurs, we are ambitious. We see possibility. There's so many things that we could do and and the experience for a lot of folks is, well, there's not enough time. So wouldn't it be useful to, uh, eat lunch in front of the computer and get more done? Is there some downside to that? I think that's what you're saying.

Alana Cahoon:
Well, yeah, there's definitely downside to it because our bodies and our minds are energy reserve. It all gets depleted and we're worthless or worth less, you know. So by taking the time, even if it's a ten minute walk and when you think about it, eating. Doesn't require a lot of time. It would be nice if it required a little bit more time than we give to it, but by taking ten minutes and stepping out and away from your work and spending that time with the food, you're actually going to digest that food. You're going to give your mind some time to take a little rest, a break, so that when you do return to your job, whatever it is it might be, you know, cooking or teaching, but it might be in front of a computer, whatever that is, you'll have been refreshed, and your body and mind needs that in order to see clearly. And I was actually working on a project this morning, and I had to step away numerous times because I was was getting frustrated. And nothing good comes out of frustration. You'll just continue to kind of hit your head against the wall, but walking away and returning, you get to see it with a new set of eyes. Um, like I said, being more refreshed.

Daniel Aaron:
Um, beautiful. Well, it's great you're, um, giving me wonderful nostalgia because I just remembered, as you said, that when I did live in New York. Upstate. Upstate? Sorry. When I lived at Omega Institute in upstate New York. When tick not Han used to come visit there. One of the most extraordinary things I had ever experienced up until that point in my life was we would have silent meals, right? Um, during his retreats. And and when he had the retreats there, there would be maybe five, 600 people, sometimes more, because he was, you know, such a beautiful light and a magnet. So people would come and at Omega, they had these massive dining hall. It's like like an airplane hangar times ten and usually. Right. The experience is always like as soon as one walks into the dining hall, it's like all this stuff going on and people talking and silverware and plates and all this. And for that week when he was there, there'd be like hundreds of people sitting there eating in silence. And I had never experienced anything like that, um, up until that point in my life. And it was just so wow, it's I hadn't thought of it in years, but it was so powerful and so much of what he taught, and what I hear you sharing with us, too, is to be able to create presence and to slow down time in some ways is am I on track? Is that part of what you're sharing?

Alana Cahoon:
Oh yeah. Yeah, I, I love eating in silence. Um, and, and you're really able to pay attention to what it is you are eating, and it gives you time to rest again. You know, one of the meditations, um, that I practice in Tibetan Buddhism is. Is rest simply is. It's just to soften your gaze. Your eyes are open and you soften your gaze and just think to yourself, rest. And that's it. You know, allowing the thoughts in your mind to simply. Rest coming into a quiet, quiet place. And whether that's for 1 minute or 25 minutes, it's just as powerful. It certainly can be to give yourself that refresher, and you can do that throughout the day. Mm.

Daniel Aaron:
Well. That's powerful. So what do you think happens then y. I mean, as you say that. Like, I can feel myself, even my energy calming down. And, you know, prior to us meeting right now, it's been a very full day and active day for me. And it doesn't necessarily occur to me to rest. And I'm guessing that's probably the case for a lot of people. What what do you think's going on with that? Why why don't we naturally rest? It seems like such a natural and helpful thing to do.

Alana Cahoon:
Well, I think we used to. Huh. And I think that was before we had access to what we're doing right now. You know, there are two sides of the coin in this. We were so fortunate. We have the gift of technology so that we can we can talk to our grandmother in another time zone, another country. We can, um, have global communications, whether that's political friendships, relatives or business associates. I do business all over the world. Who would have thought that? You know, the days when I was in New York City, it wasn't even possible unless you had a lot of money and could get on an airplane and go across the world, which I did do on occasion. But I didn't have that kind of, uh, financial freedom. So. When the internet took off. For some of us who were still around when it wasn't around, it was a shift that I don't think the world was ready for, and I'm not sure the world has really put it into, um, place. So I think it was just a couple of days ago, the surgeon general. I don't know if it's a law now, but he's. He or she. I'm sorry. I'm have to keep track of who's who, uh, today in the political world, but they're placing the same warning on, on social media as they do on tobacco products, that this may be harmful to your health. Okay. And so isn't that wild? You know, that takes us to a whole different level, but just the ability to be on call 24 seven creates a for some people, especially an element of distraction and temptation that never existed before. And you know, you might be missing something. There's so many people out there, there's so many opportunities and there's excitement. And what are people saying? Uh, so I think meditation and mindfulness, especially a teacher, a great master like Tich Nhat Hanh. Teaches the skill of bringing ourselves back home. That, to me is what mindfulness and awareness is about. It's about I'm looking outside my window. I live in a park. Uh, all I see are trees and grass that's coming back home. Like, I love this, what we're doing right now, but that is what actually refreshes me and fulfills me and helps me to relax and to calm down and come back into what's really, really important. And it's your health, your physical, mental, emotional, spiritual health. Uh, financial health. Absolutely. It's important, but you need to bring that harmony to all of it. Mm.

Daniel Aaron:
Okay, cool. Thank you. I'm with you. Well, and that's a good segue, I think, because you you mentioned earlier your, your, your podcast is called Creating Abundance. And you spoke about abundance. Yes, in the financial sense, though in other ways too. So what does it mean to you how, you know, teach us about how to create abundance, if you would.

Alana Cahoon:
Yeah. Well, I'm also in the process of getting my next book launched called Creating Abundance. None other than, uh, and. Here's why I think it's important. Many people I work with, uh, their main goal is to make a lot of money. And I get it. I'd like to have a lot of money. I find, uh, that life is more comfortable when I have more money than when I don't. I've been on both sides of that coin, too. Um, but it's not the end all. It's not the answer to everything. Uh, so it's finding. It's it's really. It's a balancing act and knowing what your personality. What is the best balancing act for you? Because my personality is different, I am naturally chill. Um, but I like to be very busy and goal or intention oriented, I like to say. And so as you're creating your abundance, once again, you know, creating those goals of, yeah, well, I'd like to, uh, elevate my career, my business, grow my business, and these are my goals. And how am I going to get there? Well, I'm going to implement this, this and that. Who's going to help you? How much is it going to cost? What is your budget? Why is that important to you when you make, let's say, $1 million, let's say by the end of one year, you you intend to make $1 million more than you already have. Whether you have $5 or 5 million already, it doesn't matter. Your goal is to make $1 million in one year. And so I think ultimately you need to ask yourself why? What are you going to do with it? You remember that song? There's a song out there if I had $1 million. Well, and it's really adorable. I come up with all ideas what they're going to do with their million dollars. We'll have those ideas. How is it going to serve you and how is it going to serve everyone around you? So when I have that million dollars, it's going to serve me by giving me the funds to hire more people so that I can delegate the busy work that I don't like.

Alana Cahoon:
Beautiful. I'm employing someone. I'm giving money to them. I'm making my life a bit easier so I can focus on the work I want to do. And how we. What are you doing for the rest of the world? In the universe? Are you going to tithe some of that money? Give it to charity. Uh, are you going to use it to offer your service to a wider audience in your service is going to help people be happier, stronger or healthier, whatever that is. So I think these are some of the things that are really important to look at. And therefore you're not only creating abundance financially, but abundance soulfully. Really, when you come down to it makes me happy knowing that my growth is going to bring joy to others as well.

Daniel Aaron:
Okay. Thank you. So I hear you that one of the ways to create abundance or one component is having a reason why. Right. Knowing what we want it for. That's that's beautiful. So and I think I heard part of what you're saying is that good. And correct me if I'm wrong here, but good if that that the reason is that it benefits more than just yourself. Right. And so another moment of angels advocate, if I may, for a moment, um, soon, as soon as you say that part of my mind goes well, well, wait a minute, you know, what about all those tycoons and sharks and people that make millions and billions and zillions of dollars, and they don't seem to care about anybody else or the environment. And it's all about them. They they seem to be making plenty of money. How does that work?

Alana Cahoon:
You know, I don't have the answer to each and every billionaire out there. We have a local billionaire. He's moved to Florida, but his name is Tom Golisano, and he gives money to the university here. He's always creating hospitals and charities. He created the children's hospital here. And so sometimes we don't necessarily know what the. Billionaires in our world are doing with their money. And if any of them are listening right now, I like to hope and believe and trust that they are giving some of that money to support important causes. Um, actually, it's in law that that will serve them. I think if you give a certain amount of money to charity, it will offset your taxes, at least in this country. So there are different reasons why you would do it, not only for a spiritual and a kind hearted, generous generosity, but to actually be more efficient with your finances. Um, yeah. And for those who don't, well. I would imagine they're not terribly happy if we're just holding on and grabbing and taking and taking. It doesn't come from a place of happiness. Mm. Yeah, well.

Daniel Aaron:
Yeah, I'm with you. That that all makes good sense. And as you say that, I think of Ebenezer Scrooge and, you know, and, uh, and the miser archetype never, never appears very happy, that's for sure. Um, and also, as you said, that I thought of this great little story, my friend. Will Bowen. He's the author and founder of this movement about a complaint free world. And he had a at one point when that was really growing, he was invited to be on Oprah Winfrey's show, obviously back in the day when she still had a show. And so his whole thing was about. How to stop complaining, right? How to shift out of complaint, which I can attest from my experience, is a at least for me, was a lot harder than it sounded. A lot harder than I thought. Um, beautiful. Beautiful work. Anyway, the point though, is he goes on the Oprah Winfrey Show and they have a great discussion. And then off camera she says to him, um, you know, pastor Will, that's what she called him. Pastor Will. I really, um, I get what you're saying, and that's how I live. Right. And when he told me the story, there was this beautiful moment because he paused and and so he paused in the conversation with Oprah also. And she looked at him and said, oh, I think I know what you're thinking. He's like. She said. You're thinking, well, what do you have to complain about? You've got so much money, you've got everything you want. And he's like, okay, yeah, that's what I was thinking. And then she said, and I love this. And which ties into with what you're saying is the reason she has all the abundance that she has is because she lived by this rule of not complaining. Right? That's what created the abundance for her. And, um, it's such a beautiful story. It's obviously stayed with me for that was maybe 15 years ago that I heard that story from Will.

Alana Cahoon:
That's. That's very inspiring. So listen, everyone, stop your complaining.

Daniel Aaron:
I'm with you. I'm with you. Well, so I'm curious, Alana, on on your journey, you've, you know, you've clearly overcome a lot. And and I imagine sometimes when you're in the show business world and, and maybe in the entrepreneurial world, you've, um, encountered difficulties or challenges or what some could call failures. Um, and knowing you as I do, you've you've learned and grown from those things. Is there an example that comes to mind for you of, of a time like that?

Alana Cahoon:
Uh. Which one? Um, as I'm let's, uh, let's see. Uh. Here's an example. So, um. You know the saying about New York. If I can make it there, I can make it anywhere. Mm. Uh, when I went there to make it, only 4% of all actors were actually employed. And there were no CDs. It was. It was a vinyl world. And getting a record deal was really difficult. Uh, so my band tried we, you know, we wrote lots of music. We were so creative, so skilled, and we created our own recording studio. Um, and I think. With each setback. What's important is to know that you tried. You're the one who tried because most people don't. Most people allow their dreams to sit and collect dust. And so for anyone listening, it's dust off your dreams. Try it. Failure is just a word. Go out and and have courage to to spread your wings and fly and see what happens. Sometimes the craziest ideas take off, and it's those that are well planned that that fall flat. So, um, but how did I manage it? I, you know, it's called pounded the pavement. I pounded the pavement. Uh, that means I didn't give up. I didn't give up, and I, I got gigs when I got them, and and, you know, I learned so many, um, amazing things in these incredible office buildings in the, you know, one of the most powerful cities in the world. And certainly back then, it was, um, so all of it was useful. And I just met amazing people from all over the world.

Daniel Aaron:
Okay. Wow. Okay. Thank you. So. If it's okay, I want to go a little further with that because, um. You. You pound the pavement, right? And as you say that, I'm like, oh, that's so cool. That's inspiring. Like, you didn't you didn't give up. You just you kept going, right? You put one foot in front of the other. That's the kind of picture I get even in. And I've never been in the in the acting or music world like that. But I imagine it's got to be discouraging to try and try and try and not get those breakthroughs. Um, I was speaking with a client the other day and, you know, he said, uh, you know, this is this is a last chance. If if this doesn't work, then I'm just going to give up and, you know, and that's a whole nother conversation. But. What if you dig a little deeper? I'm curious. What? What is it in you? How did you find the power or the resilience to to keep pounding pavement? I mean, there got to be had to have been moments where you were like, ah, I feel like throwing in the towel.

Alana Cahoon:
Oh, sure. Well, I mean, it's kind of easy. The word that rises to the top is God. I feel close to God, I have faith, I've always had faith. I went to Catholic school first grade to sixth grade. I went to church. My whole life I've studied and trained in multiple religions because I think they're all so beautiful. Um, and they are like, to me, um, religions are philosophies that are on a wheel and in the center is the same thing. It's the beginning and the end and the and the truth and the light and so. That's that's kind of how I did it. And I with my meditation training and living a pretty healthy life, um, as a vegetarian and um, and gratitude as well, you know, um. And that's what I think will carry everyone through a crisis, is to see the cup half full. Wow. I'm the lucky one. I'm the lucky one. And you know, I lived in on the outskirts of Harlem, and, uh. And it was risky. Uh, but there was an excitement to it, and I. I was brave, and I, uh, I didn't always live there. I actually started in the Upper East Side, which was the nicest part of the of the city, and then to a pretty rough part and, and all of it, you know, it's just part of, um, of life and and becoming who you are. But I don't want to lose this opportunity to share. Mm. I get to tell the stories now, I, I actually was at the same audition as Whitney Houston, and I remember standing around. It was like a mile around this building. Maybe not. I'm exaggerating, but there were many of us female singers wanting this, this gig and, um, talking to them, they were saying, well, there's this woman named Whitney and her her aunt is in the business, and word has it, she's already got it. And nobody knew who Whitney Houston was unless you knew her. Her aunt. I think it's, uh, Cecile. So of course she got that. And that was frustrating. And that was not uncommon. Um, another, uh, great story that I, I only learned about.

Alana Cahoon:
The truth behind it was through Facebook reconnecting with a friend I went to. It wasn't an audition. A couple of guys I, I worked with at a restaurant, um, were writing a rap album. And this is this was the late 80s. So this was one of the first rap albums. And, um, went with my girlfriend to go sing. They invited me to sing on it. Well, there were other singers there and they did not want me there. It was like I was not welcome. Uh, and so I when it came my turn to sing, I just I eloquently said, you know, I'm going to sit this out. And I learned later that the singer, she was young was, um. Mary, Mary J. Blige, and, uh, of course I didn't know it then. Uh, but at least I knew well enough to let go of that opportunity. And some might have said that was, uh, you know, lost opportunity. But I don't know. I think it's a great story to share now.

Daniel Aaron:
Yeah. Well, so you were there at the the beginning of Whitney Houston, uh, becoming an incredible superstar and. Yeah, Mary J. Blige and, um, I think part of what you're pointing out is it's it's just such a competitive world. And, you know, some people have advantages. Um, and so was it. What was it like for you to transition from, I imagine I don't know, but what I hear from some people is like, I have a dream, I'm going to be a performer. I'm going to, you know, be a singer on stage. And then at a certain point, you transition to what you described earlier as a job, like a regular job. Right. So what was that process like for you?

Alana Cahoon:
You know, again, I'm grateful for it. I, I loved it, I loved my job as the program director, uh, helping because I, I was, I was helping I was helping entrepreneurs like you and me, uh, of course they were in the tech industry, but they had a dream, and they were willing to invest everything. They left their day jobs to invest in their own dream. And there's something so powerful about the entrepreneurial spirit, that person who is willing to just jump off and dive in and go for it, uh, and not everyone succeeded. So that was a beautiful experience to see some of the guys and those, they were primarily guys at the time. I know there's some women in tech, thank goodness. Now go women in tech. Uh, but at that time it was primarily men. And um, some of them, um, had huge companies, multi-million dollar companies have sold them, started, uh, more companies and some of them. It just didn't work out. But they used that as a stepping stone, and that only served them in their next step in life. And I just want to say I never stopped singing. I'm, I'm singing tonight on another live show. And I never really stopped acting because look, here I am, I'm talking with you. So it's, you know, it's just in a different manner.

Daniel Aaron:
Yeah. Beautiful. Well, and you point out nicely that there are some commonalities between performance acting, singing and entrepreneurship in that on some level it's, it's it's driven by a dream. It takes some risk. It's, uh, guarantees that one is going to encounter, quote, failure and rejection. Right. So there's something beautiful and powerful about that. So what um, what would you say? What do you think makes the difference between those who are like, you've been able to do this in different aspects of life, from the performance world to entrepreneurship. Like to put yourself forward in that realm or, and a lot of people don't try or go for more conventional, you know, seemingly safer routes. What's what's the difference that makes the difference in having that kind of courage?

Alana Cahoon:
Um, well. I would suggest that. Your personality type has a lot to do with it as well. And how you were raised. My mother, uh, always said, you can do whatever you want to do. You can be whatever you want to be. She also said, whatever you choose, just know you're going to spend most of your life doing that. So you better love it. Yeah. So I, you know, there's. Having an entrepreneurial spirit is is not for everyone. And, um, playing it safe is kind of beautiful too. You know, there's a beautiful pattern, uh, I've seen in some loved ones where they've taken the this the traditional route of getting a full time job and working for, you know, their adulthood, and then they get to retire early and spend their later years traveling and and relaxing in their retirement. I don't think I'll ever retire. Daniel, this is it. I, I, you know, so so my meditation on resting is very important because, um. Yeah, I think I, I have that personality who is always going to be creating something and finding opportunities like this beautiful show and people like you to collaborate with and have fun with. Yeah.

Daniel Aaron:
Cool. I'm with you. And that's, that's beautiful that you're that you're you got those messages from your family, from your mother. Um, I remember when my daughter was, uh, an infant and toddler. Um, I had picked it up from a friend of mine. I used to say to her. I would kind of role play and get her to say, I said, what's your name? And she would say, Zeta, Cassandra, Aaron. And I'd say, and what can you do? And she would go, I can do anything. And I remember, uh, saying that with her one time, and somebody was there and they were like, well, isn't that going to lead to behavioral problems?

Alana Cahoon:
Oh.

Daniel Aaron:
What? And, um, and I and I love the question, though, because it, you know, brought me to thinking like, well. I don't know. And what is behavioral problems in all of that. But, um, but I love that that I had learned enough to kind of do my best to pass on that message, as your mother had to you. Um, and because it's true. Right. Anybody can do anything. Um, and even even creating a, you know, seemingly safe job. That's a creation, too, right? So cool. Well, time's ticking along. Let me check in with you. Alana, is there anything I haven't asked you about that, um, that I should have or that you would like.

Alana Cahoon:
To talk about? Uh. Gosh, uh, I think we've talked about everything. I have a podcast I'd love people to, to listen to as well. Um, creating abundance. And it's similar to this because I've interviewed you, and, uh, it's all about people's journeys. How did you get here? Um, how do you serve the world? Uh, how did you overcome obstacles? I think, um, we learn from each other. Uh, I have coaching programs online. Please visit me. It's my website. Is my name Alana Cohoon. Com I have free guided meditations there, a free e-book. I've got my book on Amazon, a new one coming out. Uh, so I'd love to, um, to share the wealth, share the knowledge and wisdom that I've gained throughout my life with with everyone. So.

Daniel Aaron:
Beautiful. Okay. Thank you. So I appreciate you letting people know how to reach you. And in case anyone's listening, not viewing, I'll say it out loud. It's on. It's on the screen now for y'all watching. But the website is a l a n a that's one l and c a h o o n.com Alana cohoon. Com fantastic. And do I am I remembering correctly, Alana, that you, um, have a free gift for our audience?

Alana Cahoon:
I do it's the seven seven steps to gain clarity. Uh, and it's a very simple one page document. It's PDF. You can download it, print it, put it someplace on a wall that you can look at often. Uh, you can look at it as seven different meditations or seven steps to it. And they it just guides you into how to come into the present moment, to release stress, to create clarity, to refresh your mind. As we talked about setting intentions, um, and it's fun, it's simple and it's pretty.

Daniel Aaron:
Beautiful and pretty. I like that.

Alana Cahoon:
It's pretty.

Daniel Aaron:
Cool. And so that's also I put the link for that into the comments for y'all that are tuning in live or by rebroadcast. And I think then a lot of that brings us to the last part, which is the big question, the final question, the question that's so big it's impossible to answer. And I say that, um, if I reduce my hyperbole, meaning I'm going to ask you something that is. Requires distillation. You've got so much experience and broad experience. If you had to boil it all down, or if there was just one thing you could say that would help people to live their most vibrant, thriving life. What's that one thing you would tell people?

Alana Cahoon:
Awareness. So that means pause. Be in the moment. Be here now. So that means if you're scrolling while you're listening, do your best to stop the scrolling. And simply listen. Simply be with your food. Be with your friend. Look into each other's eyes. Listen. Be present. Be with your pet, your children, your friends, your colleagues. Um. And tune in to yourself every morning. Be present with yourself before you engage in the world. How am I feeling today? Does anything hurt? Physically? Mentally? Emotionally, spiritually. Bring that awareness to yourself. Take care of yourself. That self care. And this will support you as you step into your own power and share your light with the rest of the world.

Daniel Aaron:
Wow. Thank you. I could feel that as you spoke it. And, uh, that was an invitation to me, which I gratefully accepted to become more present. I love the, uh, the little quip I learned a long time ago and some meditation book, and it pointed out the sign. On the edge of the casino in Las Vegas, reads. You must be present to win.

Alana Cahoon:
Okay. You must be.

Daniel Aaron:
Present to win. And that's part of what I heard you say. You know, to win in life, to have a vibrant, thriving life. Be present. Well, on that note, I am super grateful that you have been present with us here. Um, you know, for all the work and, uh, courage that you've had in your life to create yourself into the, the visionary and the leader that you are, and then to to take this time and invest it in being with us. So thank you so much for for being here.

Alana Cahoon:
Thank you so much, Daniel. It's been a pleasure.

Daniel Aaron:
Yay! Awesome. All right. And y'all in our audience, the heroes, the super heroes of the show. Thank you. Not just for being here I appreciate that, and I love you for that even more, though I love that you are interested in more vibrancy, more thriving, that you are not only interested, you're doing something about it. Speaking of which, what's something that you can take from what Alana shared, maybe sitting in silence for your next meal? Radical thought could be cool. What else? What can you act on today that will make your life more vibrant? That's what counts. And y'all, again, thank you so much for tuning in. I look forward to seeing you again soon. And until then, Aloha! Mahalo for tuning in to the Art of Vibrant Living show y'all! I'm Daniel Aaron and may you live with great vibrancy.

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