Help! I’m Alive.

I never blogged about my second trip to Auckland, New Zealand. I think subconsciously it felt like once I took to reflection I’d have to admit it was time to move on… And selfishly, I wasn’t ready to do that.

So, why share this piece now? Easy. I’m ready. Plus, I’ve finally put the finishing touches on this post that has been a draft for too long.

For one, New Zealand is the most beautiful place in the world – “Arcadia” some would say. The people are fantastic. Everyone I encountered was cool and hospitable. If there is one thing both my teams have learned from working over there, its that Kiwis love to have a good time with their guests. Besides being a pleasure to hang out and work with, our new friends loaned surfboards, cooked homemade dinners, hosted dance parties, supplied us gear for motorcycle trips, gave us an awesome beach batch, showed us insane ocean views, and so much more. There was no point during our stay that I felt like an outsider. It was lovely.

View from our client’s batch near Mount Maunganui in New Zealand.

The Maori culture is pretty interesting. Curiously, I looked up what the term Māori means and found this:

I prefer definition 3.

If you’ve been to New Zealand you know that the scenery and nature is absolutely breathtaking. The outdoors lifestyle feels intrinsic. There is a wholesomeness that runs through the veins of Kiwi culture. It’s anything but ordinary. There’s also so much tradition. I was lucky enough to watch my second Haka this year at the ‘Breath of the Volcano‘ show. You can see some of my personal experience with the fireworks on a cool app called Lightt. The footage is here. Going back to the Haka for a second, it was so culturally enriching to see the historical dance. Here’s an up-close and personal video of my first Haka in October 2013.

So, why was I there? The purpose of my trip was business with Hyper Island. I have said this to my client and I will say it again to everybody reading this post, the company I worked with in New Zealand is the best I’ve ever collaborated with. Imagine a business where upper management invests in their people because they believe in the potential that exists amongst their teams. Envision a culture unlike any other in the places you’ve been employed, one that has healthy competition but is mindful of individual needs. Picture a group of talented folks so driven, so motivated, and so hungry to learn that nothing seemed out of their reach. With these attributes on their side, they have the potential to dominate their industry. This group deserves massive amounts of continued success for their kind hearts, positive attitudes and tenacity. Here’s a little taste of what we did on-site in our session down under: Hyper Island Master Class – Harlem Style. It was produced after group reflection on day 2 of the #HIMC.

The Hyper Island & HYNZ and the Hyper Island Crew in Auckland, NZ (March 2013). #HIMC

On top of having a fantastic client, my team was top notch. We called ourselves a Hyper Island “League of Nations.” We had a Dane (Sarah Gregersen), Irishman (Paul McCabe), Brit (Christian Payne), Kiwi (John Dawson), and Yankee (me). My HI crew was made up of true professionals who embraced feedback, despite how difficult it can be sometimes (here’s an article the NY Times just published on feedback.) Additionally, they’re experts in their respective fields who will never settle for mediocrity when delivering or working in mixed teams. As individuals, we stretched ourselves. As a group, we challenged each other’s the limits. It was beautiful.

One might argue it was living under the same roof for nearly 3 weeks, others will say it was the delicious breakfast at the Stamford Auckland Plaza that brought us together. Hell, it could have been all the karaoke. I believe it was our paralleled passion to make a difference in our client’s business and in their staff member’s lives… I won’t lie. It was about us, too. We sometimes joke at Hyper Island that our end goal is world domination… But really, the goal is to change the world and make waves that support a necessary shift that needs to happen. HI strives to make the world a more peaceful, insightful and enjoyable place to live. Individually, we all do this every single day from around the globe. I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the team for 3 weeks nonstop!

The Hyper Island HYNZ Team (March 2013).
From Left: John Dawson, Sarah Gregersen, Christian Payne, Jaclyn Ciamillo, Paul McCabe.

Another insight into my trip was the amount of “wow” moments that occurred. On one of our few days off, I was able to take a motorcycle ride into the NZ countryside (though according to my Kiwi friends it was just outside of town). Oh. My. God. It was gorgeous. I’m a total sucker for landscapes. The day trip reminded me just how much I adore feeling limitless. To be so free and to exist in the present is tough for a lot of people. That trip allowed me to lose myself. I truly felt alive. Sure, I know that’s a feeling that most of us chase on the regular, but I hold that day in my heart. There was a moment where a bird struck us on the bike when we were cruising. It could have, maybe should have, killed us. Let me repeat… We were cruising. Oddly, when I look back, I realize that bird run-in was a turning point in my life. Major lessons were re-learned.

• Live in the moment and take the hits [or birds] that life throws at you as they come.
• Learn to let go. Scream at the top of your lungs every so often. It feels good.
• Disconnect. It’s vital for well-being.
• Trust others.
• Do things that scare you. They may end up exposing a passion you never knew you had.
• Remember, the more certain we are of ourselves, the less likely we are to fail when tested.

To feel like you’re making a difference in the lives of others daily – clients, colleagues, friends, lovers… Whatever – it makes you feel alive. That’s more fulfilling than anything else in this world if you ask me. It’s when I feel purpose.

Alex Noble once said, “If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day.” This leads me to some questions I’d like you to ask yourself.

• What do you need to do in order to have a successful day?
• How about a successful life?
• What do you desire?

Alan Watts, an incredibly intelligent philosopher, once did a talk on pursuit of happiness. In the beginning he asked, “What makes you itch?” Listen to his thoughts on the subject. Check it out here. I’m certain it will help guide you to find answers.

My last day in New Zealand. This was taken around 6:30am on a walk to a certain bridge (there’s a story to tell about that another time.)

On being yourself.

A little while ago my friend called me in a panic and told me that he has no idea who he is. Beer may or may not have been a motivational factor for this call.

Nonetheless, I asked him why this was a bad thing, citing that we never truly know ourselves… And if we become complacent with who we are for too long, we may have halted our learning and development. I tend to question people who claim to know exactly who they are all the time with no flexibility around it… It seems a bit disingenuous to me. There’s always room for change, welcome or unwelcome.

Sure, we can understand ourselves – what we like, what feels good, our definition of success, etc… But in my opinion, people are always looking and searching for different versions of themselves. That’s why we acquire new hobbies, right? It’s the reason we’re interested in wearing new fashion trends. It is part of why some of us look to change careers. This “reformatting” influences what we read, tweet and blog. It is why we step outside of comfort zones. What pushes us to try new foods. It is also what provokes us to take risks.

My friend’s tempo slowed and said he, “I never thought about it that way.” Of course he didn’t! He was too busy criticizing himself in every way possible. As I heard the tension slowly slip away from his strained voice, he walked me through what was really bothering him. I assured him that we all get frustrated in life sometimes… I then explained to him who he was in my eyes and what kind of man I’ve watched him become through the years that we’ve been friends. Looking ahead I can predict the person he will evolve into, naturally and in due time. That person is good to go; the foundation he will form from is so solid.

For the record, I also see this person of the future shaking his head in embarrassment as he reflects on these times of insecurity, melancholy and intoxication.

After we hung up, I thought to myself, “Who are you, Jaclyn?”

I am…

Someone whose sand timer has been started by the universe. A daughter/sister/cousin/aunt. I’m someone who collects cameras and video recorders and then uses them to produce art and memories. A diehard music lover that builds travel-inspired playlists for friends and the public. A snooty Long Island girl who believes our bagels are the best in the world. An expert on dog breeds. A loyal friend. I’m a cyclist and spin instructor. One who works on arts and crafts with the intent on giving my ‘pieces’ to people who donate their time to causes I’m passionate about. A button collector. Citizen of the world. A social media strategist. I am a lover. A manic ball of energy. A party monster (at times). I’m a mad scientist during full moons. A proud dreamer. Avid reader. Surfer. I’m also a temptation to some.

I’m somebody who changes like the wind.

And I love it.

Honestly, we could all use a lesson on how we can be more polite to ourselves, couldn’t we?

—

::: For D <3 :::

On development.

“Life is like photography, we develop from the negatives.”

On Soul Mates.

People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that’s what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that is holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life.

 A true soul mate is probably the most important person you’ll ever meet, because they tear down your walls and smack you awake. But to live with a soul mate forever? Nah. Too painful. Soul mates, they come into your life just to reveal another layer of yourself to you, and then leave.

 A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life…
 

- Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love

You’ll get there, don’t worry.

I don’t accept the judging of process… We’re all trying to get to the same island. It doesn’t matter if you swim, fly, surf, or skydive in — it doesn’t matter. What matters is when the red light comes on.

- Jerry Seinfeld

A poem for Easter

On Easter I always think of this poem. Spring is coming into bloom, the sun is becoming more of a ‘regular’ during our habitual, routine lives, and we’re all a little bit happier with every passing day. Enjoy a hint of what the warmer months are going to bring us.

‘I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud’
By William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Celebrity life. #fun

I’ve never done a personal photo shoot, unless you count 10 minutes against the HI building @ 250 Hudson with Lucas Stoffel (during a wind storm nonetheless)… But I can see how people get into it. I’m usually the one hiding behind my camera trying to catch the most human shots of friends, family, participants at HI events, and random folks on the street. I enjoy capturing more than just people, but tend to want every special moment I share with those around me recorded.

Back to the experience – the good thing is that no matter what, everyone will say “You’re a natural” and “Nobody would ever be able to tell you’re a newbie,” even though your shoulders will probably be tense and body movements awkward and unnatural… Well, mine at least!

First timers: my recommendation is to use some sort of prop to take your mind off things. The pressure of a giant camera and enormous, blinding lights is intimidating. Some thread and stickers worked just fine for me.

Anyway, have a good weekend!