Castles, Caves, and Cakes!

Good morning, world! How was everyone's weekend?

I must say, this past weekend was one of the best in a very long time. On Thursday we did some spring cleaning (always feels good to get that done), got the apartment organized, and got rid of a lot of unused clothing. Friday was not spectacular, as we had talked about doing something outside but hadn't gotten around to it.

(P.S. when I say we, I mean my favorite guy and me)

Well anyway, Friday we wound up visiting a small island in the middle of town and had a walk. We talked about hiking up to a cave and spending the night there, but it was supposed to rain and is apparently a very dangerous trail to get there. 

Schloß Ambras

Saturday was a lot cooler. We got a really late start, but we wound up visiting the castle Schloß Ambras (my first visit) and seeing the grounds there. It was beautiful! And still being under 19, I got in for free (haha- buying the tickets was pretty strange). I packed a picnic and we ate on the grounds (I kept spilling all of the food- in typical India fashion). There were a lot of suits of armor from the middle ages. They were really cool (there was one from a giant who was like 2.5 meters tall!), but there were so many... There were also other trinkets and there were plenty of family paintings from the Habsburg Dynasty, but that was it. The Castle on the inside hasn't retained it's original form (like the rooms aren't furnished or anything), it's just an art museum.

Lanser See (Lake Lans)

We finished up the tour and set sail for Lans. Expecting to just be able to chill out at the cabin in the woods (and finish lunch), we drove up there and went to get a few things organized. But the rest of the family was there when we arrived, so we just hung out for a while and had some coffee and cake. It was so warm that day I was in shorts and a t-shirt; I could not believe how lovely the weather was! After we left the house, we went down to the lake and chilled out there for a while. There was hardly anyone else there, and it was nice to just finally relax for the first time in ages. Just to be alive and breathe, to perceive the things around you... it was all so beautiful and cool. Being at the lake made things get chilly pretty fast though, and as the sun was setting we had to hurry to the car because we were shivering so much! 

Dessert at "Zum Wilden Mann"

At first we didn't know what to do. There was the option of going home, but we were both so tired and didn't feel like driving all the way back down to the valley. So we went back to Lans and ate at a lodge I'm told Grace Kelly used to eat at from time to time. Then we drove back to the cabin and made a fire in the wood stove and spent the night in the woods. It was so cool! I love these "field trips." It's so good to get out into nature every once in a while and just enjoy life. It's important too- I think when you get so close to the edge of burning out from continuous strain from work, it's necessary to take some time out.

Anyway, by Sunday the weather had changed completely (to clouds and rain) and we packed up and went back to Innsbruck. The rest of Sunday was also pretty easy- we made Schinken-Rahm Spatzl (an amazingly fat dish that is very anti-abdomen). It consists of Spätzle (homemade egg-dough noodles), Ham, Cream, and Mountain cheese. It tasted like fat-heaven. (Needless to say, yesterday was my "cheat day").

because I was in such a good mood during my "workout"
this morning,  I couldn't resist throwing in a selfie!

That's another thing! I've been doing a mini ab-workout every morning. I'm doing pretty well with and definitely notice a difference (it's been exactly two weeks since I started). Feels good!

Now that I'm completely recharged and contented, it's time to focus still more on music- I'm writing a new song, and I'll be in the studio hopefully tomorrow to record new things and put finishing touches on the others. It's getting exciiiiiiiting!

Happy Monday everyone! (it's not as bad as it seems)

India

Music for the (late) morning: Fancy by Iggy Azalea (a little generic, but pretty cool)

Jour et Nuit

My life is only a movement of constant change. It's like day and night, but from day to day! ...If that makes sense.

Anyway, yesterday I got my first two songs sent to me, which are still being edited, but the latest versions were awesome! Of course the one is a little heavy and sad, but it's cool to listen to. The other one is just a pure fun jam, with a super vintage feel. I can't wait to release them and share them with the world!

Today I'm going back to the studio and recording another two or three songs. Needless to say, IIIII'm excited!

Otherwise on the menu this week is composing, getting the rest of my life together, and so on... 

I am so ready to break out of my shell and out of the "old world." I just want to see and hear and feel everything. I'm dying to go back to New York (it's been 5 years on the dot!), I want to see Singapore, Peru, Russia, etc. Just bring it on!

I am also coming to an unfortunate realization that some things in my life just aren't working. It's up to me to fix and change them, but it's not the easiest thing in the world. There will be people I say goodbye to. There will be doors closing very soon from my side. It makes me sad, but I know in the long run, there's so many things in this world to see and experience, I won't lose by saying "no more!" to negative influences. I feel an extreme pull to get out of Innsbruck. It's a lovely town as I always shouted from the top of my lungs, but I feel like I need to be somewhere else right now. I'm thinking Chile or Hong Kong.

Anyway, I need to get my hands on some cash, and then I will be gone like lightning! And I will be absolutely everywhere...

I dream of a clean earth. I dream that one day the Hudson River will be drinkable, and that in India there will be farms and (good) food and houses for everyone. I want to give people hope through my music and my work. I truly hope that I am able to inspire people to dream and dare to achieve their visions for their lives. There's so much more that I imagine for my life and the lives of others...

My dear readers, I hope all is well with you and that you enjoyed the holidays with your families. Have a wonderful Wednesday and rest of the week. Try to do something you love today. Something that makes your heart sing.

All my heart

India

Song for the day: Ich lass für dich das Licht an by Revolverheld

About Life

Yesterday was our life coaching event in Innsbruck with Alexander Vitocco. It was brilliant! There are so many things you can learn at these kinds of events. I love always being able to walk away with something new. It's even like when I re-read a "self-improvement" book, even though the words on the page are the same, I always find another point that stands out in a way it hadn't before!

What stood out to me yesterday is how you can kind of get stuck in an old (and useless) mindset. There was a time at the end of 2013 when I was constantly changing, improving, feeling wonderful and harmonious all the time. The number on my bank account was steadily growing, I was doing great on my tours and everything was seemingly "perfect."

Then I spent some of money on various things once I moved to Innsbruck and I started accepting something I call "half-successes." A half-success is the pain-staking average, the minimum wage you accept because "that's the way it is," the mediocrity of day to day life, etc. I know, know, know life is beautiful and full of magic. But sometimes I allow a type of figurative cataract to cloud my vision. The smog sets in, so to speak. And so I accept disrespect as normal, I start to "get used to" the amount of money on my bank account, and I adapt to the status quo of life.

But people, life should adapt to us! My life is about me and no one else! Of course I care for the people in my life, but my life isn't and shouldn't be about anyone else. I want to help people deeply and I want to change the world, but I will never be able to do that before I help and change myself! And so I'm realizing it's beneficial to read, re-read, re-read again, watch seminars over and over, listen to audiobooks every day, and really fill up your "think tank" with positive information. Mostly everyone knows this principle anyway, but why do so few of us make it stick? It's easy to read a book once. It's easy to watch video and say, "mhm, yes, that's so true!"

But I found that December and January had been possibly the most harmonious, joyful, and positive months of my life. Why? Because I practiced principles and lived them all the time. I read The Secret over and over and over again, all the time, every day. And the information and principles stuck! I started writing every morning and every night what I was grateful for. Even if it was stupid things like, "I'm grateful for my long hair," (yes, potentially superficial I know, but I wrote anything I was grateful for which would eventually lead me to deeper things). I dreamed my big dreams and lived my vision. Everyday, I reminded myself of where I want to go. I lived my vision! In La Palma, I created feelings of giving and receiving love, the feeling of being in a relationship. Now I had no idea where a relationship would come from, but it didn't matter. All I did was just 'feel' this thing into existence- and it worked. I literally created the world I live in. And the thing is, you and I do that every day. But we forget. We get distracted by things like spilling the coffee, the people who cut us off in traffic, the kids who won't give us a break, etc.

And then the phone rings and your sister is bugging you and the trash needs to be taken out and the darn rain flooded your basement and this person showed up too late and, and, and...

Do you see what I mean? And unfortunately I've kind of "stuck" myself since I returned from Florida. Some major fears set in the back of my mind and actualized themselves in the form of this contented attitude, more stress, arguments, whatever. It's so easy to forget that I have the power to change this! If something scheiße happened, I have the power to decide for something wonderful! If my day didn't go the way I wanted, I will lay back and visualize it the way it "should've" happened. Everything I desire. There is no reason to be satisfied with average because "other people have it worse." Saying someone can't be sad because because someone else may have it worse is just like saying someone can't be happy because someone else may have it better! (In this case by sad I mean dissatisfied with the current situation, whatever it is).

So as I mentioned in my last post, I've already put an end to the complaining. By complaining, you're defeating yourself and rendering yourself powerless against any negative force.

I'm also done accepting the ordinary. I mean, I have nothing against down-to-earth, but that's not what I mean with ordinary. I mean just mediocrity. I am grateful for what I have, but it could be more. Like Alex said yesterday, he likes to be happy but dissatisfied. Happy and grateful for the things you have, but it could be better. It could be more. And that's the point. When I see something happen that I don't like, I won't reject it or evaluate it as "bad." I will move on and focus on what I do like and what do want. And I know what I want!!!

So a big thank you to Alex Vitocco for opening my eyes again and helping me to understand that it's all to easy to get "settled" into the way things are, but it's important to reach for what you really want. If you want more money (easiest example), state it. Decide it and live it. I am so so so tired of "scraping along." So I will create a new reality, over and over again, life will adapt to me, not the other way around!

Sound good? Cool thing is that every human being on the earth has this power. I mean really anything is possible. In November or December, I remember writing down things I wanted (some of them were pretty far-fetched, believe me)- and in January I looked and I was amazed to find that nearly every point had been achieved! All I did was imagine my ideal world, felt it, and it came true.

Yeah! So I have to resolve, re-resolve, and practicepracticepractice until I achieve the reality I desire.

With much love

India

Music for the day: My Hero by Foo Fighters

Coincidence?

I don't believe in coincidence at all. Now I don't believe in fate either, but I believe everyone is responsible for both what happens around them, and what they cause. I mean think about it, why do we have all of these expressions about "karma," "what goes around comes around," and the "golden rule?" 

Because in some way or another, they're all trying to tell one truth- your output (things that "happen" to you) will mirror your input (messages, thoughts, and actions you release) 100% of the time. So if you don't like something in your life, put up or shut up- do something to fix it or stop complaining!

I'm on a kick at the moment. I started reading The Success Principles by Jack Canfield today, and I've always admired Jack. His style of writing, his life philosophy, and his energy all seem to jive with mine. This book is a cool deal- already in the first chapter he starts with "take responsibility for your life!" While I completely accept that everything that "happens" to me is basically controlled by my choice, I also had a realization that sadly some dear people around me are causing themselves pain and suffering simply by not taking responsibility for little things like attitude, response to situations, and mental stamina. While dealing with people who don't give 100% is both hard and heart-breaking, there are a few ways to deal with stuff like this.

a) either you can control what's happening with the other people or things directly (so fix it!)

or

b) you can't control other circumstances (people and situations), but you can control your response to them, and find a solution!

Frankly, I don't think there's ever a good reason to complain. I'm starting a campaign to stop the complain (haha that actually sounds like a good motto) and today is my last day. Whatever I complained about today, whoever I blamed for my bad mood, why I dropped the dish on the floor... it's over. Complaining is dumb and cowardly. Either you do something about the scheiße in your life, or you deal with it. 

So join me, friends, in taking responsibility from this moment forward for everything in your life! If you don't like something, change it! Yes, maybe I sound extremely hard right now, but this is what "getting ahead," giving 100%, and making something of your life is all about. And I'm done with the excuses. Excuses are all illusion, what everything comes down to is your willpower and your demand for greatness in yourself.

I don't claim in myself perfection, and I understand I also have many miles to go. The mirror can tell me some nasty things sometimes. But when I don't accomplish something, I have no one to point to but myself. And that's the story of life. I could have stood up for myself in high school. I could have changed schools altogether. I could have saved my money instead of buying myself Manolo's. Whatever it was, it was always, always, always up to me!

Join the campaign to stop the complain! Put an end to victimitis and start living a proactive, healthful, extraordinary life!
Yeah it all sounds so great and wonderful, and wow it seems like I have it easy, galavanting around to all these countries and doing all these things. But is all of this a coincidence? I think not! As I wrote in an earlier post, I always dreamed of living in the mountains. I held on to that vision and dream. I always wanted to travel the world too. I think I did myself a favor by not really talking about these dreams (so no one could really tell me it wasn't possible), and the people who did know either said nothing or said, just do it! And here I am. I don't make vague wishes, I make decisions. Decisions will take you to your destination. Wishes are as said, just vague. So no, it's not completely easy obviously, my life isn't absolutely amazing, but I have controlled everything 'til now. Everything I've done and had was all planned. So what about you? What's your plan? Because I guarantee you, you'll have everything you want if you stop the excuses and start making the plans.

That's my little spiel for now ;)  and I know, not everyone's gonna go for what I just wrote, but for you, yes you who does, well, you're gonna have an amazing ride. Life is a paradise.

Much love and adoration
India

Music for the morning: Don't Wait by Dashboard Confessional

Wanderlust

Ahhh! I can't believe how the time has flown since last post. A whole month already! Well needless to say, I've been incredibly busy- I've got plans up, down, inside-out and backwards! Also needless to say, a lot has changed in the past month. Ah the life of an 18-year-old.

About three weeks ago, I had the privilege of meeting a music producer who was interested in working with me. Now I'm making music! I went to the studio for the first time two weeks ago and recorded a song I started writing last fall. I'm really excited about it! As soon as it's finished and ready to be released, of course I'll be sharing it. I don't want to give too much away, I'll just tell you guys it's about a relationship I experienced. On Saturday another song came to me (I just started writing and it kind of took off), and this one is going to be even better. It's about the time I spent in La Palma in January with my friends. That time had a huge influence on my life now and of course I miss that beautiful place. I've been listening to Spanish music like crazy lately (like Obsesion by Aventura).

I'm heading into the studio again on Wednesday to put the finishing touches on my own work and start recording a few new things. Some of these songs are so much fun, some are difficult to sing, but the creative process of making music is so much fun. It all makes sense to me. When we're creating the tracks, I know exactly what I want and which sound should go where. Music is one thing that I really just get.

I've made some new friends, and last Friday I performed at an open mic night here in town. Eight of my own friends came to see me, and it was a lot of fun! I love performing. I don't know if open mic night is exactly 'India-Style' but it was really cool anyway. I sang Untogether by Belly (a band whose hey-day was in the 90s but no one's heard of now), I Will by the Beatles, More Than Words by Extreme (the all-time classic), and Nothing Else Matters by Metallica (this was my absolute favorite to perform).

Besides the studio this week, my colleagues have planned a huge seminar event on Thursday here in Innsbruck. It's an all-day affair with a life coach from Cologne, Alexander Vitocco. I'm excited for this! I love life-coaching and that kind of thing. In the end, all I want is to help people too. Hopefully I can achieve that through my music.

On Friday and Saturday I'll heading up to Munich to work a few tours again. And next week it's all music again!

Lately, I've been dreaming of traveling the world again (as if I ever stopped). I want to go to Hong Kong and South America. I want to see everything! There are so many beautiful places on this earth... I feel lucky to have seen the minor fraction that I have, but all I can think is about the unknown. I want to go on an adventure! It's something we call 'wanderlust' (also a fairly well-known term in the anglophone world, thanks to Jennifer Aniston and Paul Rudd).

Anyway, that's my life in a nutshell at the moment. Anyone wanna take me far, far away?

I promise I'll write again in a couple of days!
Love

India

Song for the day: Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz (I love how this song feels!)