Return from Lala Land…
Return from Lala land…
Ahhhh… where to even begin & how to articulate the millions of stories that happened over the past 3 months on my grand Soul Stories adventure to USA.
As an experienced traveler, l already knew that l was going to receive far more than l signed up for – whether success would unfold in what l was ‘hoping’ for, or more in the way that my soul truly ‘needed’?
Either way, l could never have imagined HOW MUCH the universe ended up giving my big ol’ heart. Sometimes it made me work my absolute butt off to the bone & during other unexpected moments, it simply opened up the door & handed over wonders (& beyond) on a silver platter…
Were there any struggles?
So what do you want to hear about? What’s worth telling most?
Let’s start off with the first 2 weeks into my journey ~ l learnt ‘a lot’ about the USA market quite quickly & noticed how many brick walls l kept coming up against face to face? Naturally l questioned myself a hundred times over & what the f@*k l was actually doing ~ & even thought to fly home much earlier than anticipated?
I think what added to the struggle was that I hadn’t fully digested the shocking news of suddenly losing one of my best friends before a few weeks of getting onto the plane… Just devastating… ;-(
So much doubt, so much fear, grief, the unknown, learning so much at high speed – fully aware that I needed every second to try & accomplish what l ‘wanted’ to do…
I knew better than to push so hard, but l couldnt help myself, the more l pushed – the harder everything resisted. I just wanted it so bad ~ to grab on to what l thought was the most important part of my journey…
But you know what, as cliche as it sounds – the moment l let go & surrendered to the universe was the moment she started handing me magical moments within my reach… Thats not to say that l didn’t have to work my ASS off… But the intent was entirely different, without expectation of myself & the outcome – but opening myself up to others & focussing more so on process itself.
What’s truly important?
Was l happy with the outcome? Was it a success?
In my heart & soul what l learnt & expeienced was an absolute success. Yes it was a financial success for my business, breaking into 23 spaces & places ~ along with a handful of restocks in places before l left the county, which will be the big tell tale sign (whether the businesses want to carry on or not type thing).
~ But the bigger part of my success was learning to be a better person. To be more present & to listen MORE. To listen without the intent of wanting to speak back with ‘my’ story to tell (until the time was right). To truly LISTEN…
~ And then there is the human connection part – my absolutely ‘wonderful’ friends. How lucky am l to know such wonderful human beings… Just WOW – I can not say thank you enough to ALL of my incredible friends, old & new, who are responsible for my wonderful travels to unfold so flawlessly.
Giving up their private spaces, couches, rooms & apts for several days!?! Some friends of friends l had never met before and others l know like the back of my hand.
~ Thirdly – I realized how much l want to take on Jason Silva’s ‘billionaire’ concept. I want Soul Stories to be defined as that billionaire ~ but not by the amount of money that is made, but by the amount of hearts that are touched. I want Soul Stories to help, heal, inspire and connect with a billion hearts which would mean so much more to my heart & ‘my kinda tribe’ than what society recongnises as a ‘billionaire’. Yes money is required to pursue many hopes and dreams – & l truly need and rely on people supporting what l do by purchasing my artwork and/or services… But money is merely freedom and does not promise any form of happiness…
Snippets of Magic…
I feel like l’ve taken up far too much of your time already – so lm grabbing just a few random photos & words from the hundreds of WONDERFUL stories that graciously wandered into my life during the past 3 months…
Thank you over & over again, to all of my wonderful supporters, near & far! I honestly can’t say it enough ~ that I can’t do what l do, without ALL of YOU!!!
If anyone would like me to expand on anything in particular – please don’t hesitate to drop me a line at: tams@soul-stories.com & l would be happy to share more, or give you any kind of guidance that l can. Big hugs and love, tx
P.s I just realized there are SOOOO many cool people l adore that i never took any photos of, sigh, l just have to come back is all!??
You know who you are! xxx
Oh bottom line to EVERYTHING – keep doing or working your way towards whatever the hell sets your heart on FIRE!!!
No matter what! xxx t
Ally Hamilton 
When you get to meet your online yoga teacher in the REAL
(in Santa Monica) & practice by her side!?! Ive been following
Ally since 2001 and pretty much practice daily with her at:
https://yogisanonymous.com/practice
Jen Pastilof
Agh, major celebrity crush on this wonderful woman who has a
heart parallel to mine & just wants to HELP EVERYONE!!!
For those who don’t know Jen – please go check her out! You can
find her on most platforms all over Social Media!
https://www.facebook.com/jennifer.taleghany
Amy Tuvo
When your dear friends have cool friends who just so happen to
have a wonderful place where hot air balloons float directly above!?!?
Thank you Amy, for all of your help, big heart and incredible words
& wisdom over the years. Your turn to come to Australia!?
Alexa Meade Art
Just by chance l stumbled arcoss the well known & talented
Alexa Meade installing her work at Union Station L.A!!!! Whaaaaaa, come & join in the installation she said –
let’s just say that l didnt bat an eyelid to play dancing model!
https://www.facebook.com/alexameade/
Birte Foundation
When you meet other inspiring souls changing the world in ways
you can’t imagine. What this girl does for all the dogs that are not
wanted anymore because they are almost at the end of their
expiration date, highly diseased or simply discarded.
Marie you are just wonderful & was such a pleasure to meet you…
https://www.facebook.com/birtefoundation/
Cris Hamilton
I may not have met one of my Fav artist in the world (Brian Andreas)
because he decided to up & move (how rude!?!) but l was
lucky enough to meet his wonderful sister, Cris & her Andy!
Such a FAB time hangin’ with these cool cats – talk about just
a tad star struck… Be sure to check our her magical work!
https://www.instagram.com/crishamilton/
2019 Calendar
Treking the West Coast didn’t mean I could slack off back in Oz.
‘Production of the 2019 Calendar’ was still being worked on inbetween
the hard work & pockets of play. Be sure not to miss out on the
limited edition of 500 to be printed. There’s also a very cool
Christmas promotion going on: CLICK HERE.
Thanks for your awesome work Gin Pineau – you rock!
~ Bold Freedom ~
More production work going on. Super happy for Lesley O’Brien
to release her premiere book BOLD FREEDOM. For everyone
who purchases a book from the online store: & enters code
‘TamsSoulStories’ at the checkout gets FREE shipping (ongoing)
plus access to the Time Mastery workshop until Sept 30th as a
thank you pre-order bonus… No need to explain who was lucky enough to illustrate the front cover? CLICK HERE to learn more.
Aum & Garden
As always – my travels led me to connect with the most beautiful
& inspiring businesses & owners. Unfortunately I would fill
the whole news letter writing about them all so l lucky dipped &
pulled out one to feature.Aum & Garden, truly an absolutely stunning
space in L.A, one of the most elegant l came across – even though
Jerome still doesn’t believe me, hehe…
Cristina Alonso
Can you believe I met this WONDERFUL soul through
Wellbeing Magazine!??? She said to come & find her if l ever came to USA – so l did! Cristina, such a generous & sweet soul which lm truly honored to have in my life. And now Soul Stories has found it’s USA rep & distributor!? This big old world knows way more than we do – connecting the dots in crazy ways we can only see backwards. Exciting times ahead with this gorg gal! xx
I dream of Jeanne
Everywhere l wandered – l had my ‘l dream of jeanne’ tote
wrapped around me, Mum watching over me 24/7. We are about
half way through series 3, a limited edition of 500. Be sure
not to miss out if you are collecting these very special eco bags
(they also make THE BEST Santa sacs, just sayin’)
Free Soul Stories Art
So much fun leaving pieces of Soul Stories in the coolest places
on my travels & gorgoeus souls writing to me to say they had
found it – making their day! Which of course would make my
day – so everyone is happy happy joy joy!
Thanks so much to play everyone… ;-
Playing in the Pockets
It was always so rewarding for me to work super hard in the
first few days of traveling to a new city/town & then playing with
friends in the pockets afterwards, waiting for replies or to set
up meetings! This was such a memorable day Kristie – waterfall
walks, blue pool hikes & yummy hot spring by sunset. MAGICAL…
Sarah McLachlan
Lucky me has been spoilt for life, to watch one of my FAV
singers (Sarah McLachlan) perform at the majestic &
intimate Red Rocks. How will anywhere else compare?
Thank you for this very special moment Ads – never to
be forgotten… When surrounded by stunning scenery,
one must always leg mount!?! Haha… & then limp
away afterwards…
‘Trust Within’
Even when you’re in the thick of
not understanding anything
~ the universe will keep providing
you with what your heart & soul
truly needs..
Original Soul Stories created with oil on high quality
‘un-mounted’ canvas. Sealed with a gloss varnish.
Canvas Size: Width 40cm & Height 50cm. Couldnt WAIT
to get home & start creating AGAIN! Wonderful results.
Princess Cruises
Ahhh, take me back to dancing on carefree cruise ship dayz!!
I’ve met some of my best friends during this moment of my life
– friends that will last forever & ever! I’m BEYOND GRATEFUL
– especailly for this ‘short notice’ pool party in Vegas day!
Thanks so so much to organise Nicole, you rock my world gurl!
Thanks everyone else to come play – so many fab stories
amp; memories.
‘Le Reve’ Las Vegas
When one of your ol’ dancing buddies organises tickets to see
‘Le Reve’ at The Wynn in Vegas – well, you said YES please,
thank you very much. Thanks so much Bec – l’ve haven’t felt this
inspired & such an itch to jump up on stage since hanging up the
shoes 4 years ago!?? JUST WOW!! So incredibly beautiful to watch
& to feel so much…
Surprise…
The things we do we we put out minds to it… A crazy midnight
bus from Vegas, to LA, to an Uber x2, to Union Train Station
to San Luis Obispo on 3 hrs broken sleep! Which then the cool
owner from the delicious ‘Mint & Craft’ arranges to pick you up
so you can breathe & get ready to surprise someone at their
special ‘Vegan’ Local Table Night… Hehe, a night to
remeber indeed..
Grand Finale
Such a wonderful feeling bringing all of these beautiful
souls together… Agh, thank you boys, for the endless belly
laughs – my cheeks hurt from WAYYY too much giggling (& vino).
Thank you for such a perfect end to my wild & wonderful
Soul Stories adventure… The end of just the beginning ~
watch this space..
Tams Travels…
Fav albums this month: Gossip in the Grain ~ Ray LaMontagne
Currently Reading: Love her Wild ~ Atticus
Movie Inspiration: Adrift (hmm… prob not the best move to watch it on a plane in public, without tissues?)
Fav cafe/boutique: I’m obsessed ‘Wholefoods’ & ‘Trader Joe’s’ in USA ~ & perhaps Victorias Secrets!?!
Do yourself a favour: Be brave and give couch surfing ago!! Guaranteed to meet some wonderful souls…
Pay It Forward Moment: Gave a street lady my not so shabby runners instead of hanging onto them as a spare pair.
New Places Visited: Where to even begin!?!? San Diego, Ventura, Ojai, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay, Denver, Boulder, Los Gatos, Santa Cruz, Eugene, Portland, Las Vegas – the list goes on and on…
New Places Planning to Visit for Soul Stories: Sydney – agh l still haven’t made it there yet!!!?
Live Event Coming Up: Holy moly I haven’t anything booked?! Shhhh… might be sneaking into a private event, Daylesford direction, to check out my art mentor/friend (Gav Barbey) new works.
Current Mood: Clear, focused – full of gratitude…
scatter your SOUL & share your STORIES…
Daily Soul Stories
But there was still SO MUCH
you had to do…
So many dreams
you had to catch,
sunsets to see,
candles to wish upon
& belly laughs until
you can’t breathe…
You’re ‘to do’
will never end
~ along with the hundreds
of souls that carry
a tiny piece of gold
within their blessed hearts
all because of you… .
© May 23 .18
Still So Much
