“What you gonna do when it doesn't work out how you thought it would? (Whoa)

Feels unfair and you wanna turn around, but it's for your own good

I can lose it all, just as long as I don't ever lose my faith (whoa)

I've never been here, but that makes it new, doesn't mean it's strange

I'm not lost, I'm on an adventure

I'm just on a quest for my treasure

Cross any ocean, walk any desert

(Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)

Might fall apart, just pull it together

Think about how far you've come, just remember

You're not lost, you're on an adventure (yeah)

*Gotta trust the universe, I'm tempted

Mama said that light is what I'm wrapped in (wrapped in)

I know if it happens then it's supposed to (oh, oh-oh)

Yeah, yeah

When I was at my lowest, had to hold my head the highest

Reconnect with silence, otherwise it's hard to hear the guidance (hear the guidance)

Thinkin' that I got a broken version of success

Until I realized this is the version that I'm supposed to get

I see the way the roads connect if you just keep on drivin'

Tried to fight the moment, thought my stars need realignin'

Told my mama that I quit

Told my friends that when I get back from Brazil, that this is it

Don't nobody hit my phone, I was disgusted with God

Tried to discuss it with God

This ain't how it's supposed to go, I've had enough of this, God

But then I remember where I started from

Realized I'm far from there and I'm far from done (true)”

It’s good to be back behind the keyboard writing a Daily Note. Maybe (hopefully) you noticed that your inbox was a little light the last few days—I haven’t written a Note for four days, which was intentional.

Last Wednesday morning, I took an early flight out to Palm Springs and made a short drive to Joshua Tree for a “retreat” for the Integrated Wealth Advisor program I’m participating in. I put quotes around "retreat" because, while it was incredibly relaxing and peaceful out in the desert, the days were full of learning, work, and collaboration with my cohort. It wasn’t the type of “retreat” you think of when you hear about a couple of days in Joshua Tree.

As I was flying out, I made a conscious decision not to write while out there. I wanted to stay present in the work and use whatever time I would have spent writing to process the work I was doing, or just to be still.

I’ll share more about my time in the desert, but for now, I just wanted to share these lyrics from the song "Adventure" by Russ, from his Santiago album—yes, an album based on Russ’s interpretation of The Alchemist.

On the flight home, I felt called to listen to the album as I left Joshua Tree back in my Santiago vibes. I listened to it again yesterday while relaxing in the pool, and these lyrics really stood out to me. Like the book, I feel Russ’s album is one that speaks to you where you are at that moment and provides inspiration or messages that differ each time you listen.

See you tomorrow and keep pursuing,

JC