My Journey to Finding Inner Peace and Starting a Meditation Business in Knoxville

Ever since my life-changing trip to Bali in 2005, I've been on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. At the time, due to a terrorist attack in Jakarta, I was able to afford my first trip out of the country to the beautiful island of Bali. The beauty of the land and its people left me awestruck. These were individuals who had so much less than I did as a young twenty-something out of college, yet they seemed to radiate an inner joy and contentment that I found myself longing for.

Upon returning home, I immersed myself in the practice of yoga, but at the time, I viewed it primarily as a physical exercise, missing the deeper spiritual essence. As the years went by, I found myself climbing the corporate ladder, trying to keep up with societal expectations, yet feeling increasingly alone and unfulfilled.

It wasn't until I sought the guidance of a therapist that my life began to take a profound turn. On their recommendation, I tried a meditation app, and it quickly became an obsession. Through the unwavering support of my therapist and countless hours of mindful practice, I gradually realized that I had been living a life that wasn't truly mine.

I made the difficult decision to divorce my husband and, in a sense, divorce myself from my job as well. No longer would I live to work; instead, I vowed to show up each day and give my best efforts. However, despite cultivating daily gratitude, journaling, and achieving financial success, I still felt a persistent yearning for something more profound.

It was during this period of introspection, attending silent retreats and deepening my meditation practice, that the universe sent me a sign. My employer offered a voluntary severance package, and I knew it was the answer I had been seeking. Without a clear plan, I took a leap of faith, trusting that this decision would lead me closer to my authentic self and my ability to contribute to the healing of the world.

The business I'm now starting is the culmination of that deep inner reflection and my commitment to living fully as my true self while positively impacting those around me.