Your Breakthrough Is In Your Presence

On December 19, 2016December 19, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn art, beautiful, faith, healing, law of attraction, love, solo travel, spirituality, travel

by-learning-to-be-present-we-are-choosing-to-open-our-eyes-to-daily-miracles

How do you deal with uncertainties? Life is full of unknowns.

God often surprises me by destroying plans I had, even for Christmas. I might have assumed something but then those plans are easily pulled away from me. This week I woke up with horrible vertigo and puking. Yes, it was awful. I thought I was going to die and I prayed really hard. The sickness came and went, tried to come back again, but finally left.

I was grateful. It humbled me as well. Sickness is humbling. It reminds you, you are fragile, weak.

I felt that the puking was like a cleanse to the negativity in my life. I realized it also stemmed from my not eating when I would get hungry. Deep down, I had some insecurities about my recent inability to exercise and was afraid that I was gaining weight. But I think deep down I felt that I was not good enough.

During my time in bed, I kept hearing “you are good enough, you are enough” over and over again. In my inability to do anything, I soaked in God’s unconditional love for me. I was reminded that I had been trying to figure my life out again, even by planning my days, I was trying to control my life. I wasn’t handing over the reigns.

Soon enough God heard my prayers and my mom actually took me to this Chinese medicine woman who gave me a diagnosis and some herbs. Soon enough, I was also alone again. This time a little disappointed that I would probably spend the holidays alone. I didn’t really understand what was happening.

I know that 2017 is a year of alignment, but even in those days where I’m writing, painting, watching Elementary, I’m wondering what my life will even look like soon.

What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”^[—
the things God has prepared for those who love him- 1 Corinthians 2:9

But today as my flesh and mind finally let go of plans and the need to KNOW, I went to the movies (which always calms me down), cried my eyes out watching Moana and Collateral Beauty (good for emotional cleansing, the movie seriously left the whole movie theater room sniffling), and then in following my desires for some food and boba, was led to divine appointments with strangers. One lady I met when I asked her about this hat I wanted to buy, I said “just to make sure, this is the English flag right?” and then I continued the conversation by asking if she was Irish and she said German. Well, since I was born in Germany, we had no lack of conversation.

Our need to know always ruins the moment doesn’t it? In the story of Adam and Eve, that is what ruined their life at first….the need to know without the relationship with God, which is based on trust. We are unable to live in the moment, to see all the beauty and love around us when we are in our head, figuring every detail of our lives out.

I remember when I was dating an ex, we went to an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica but his mind was absent. The bill was over $100 but I could have stayed at home, watched netflix and ate mcdonalds for $5. It wasn’t about our surroundings, how delicious the food was, or even how romantic the ambiance was. I thought the food was okay, but my ex said it was a waste of money and that the food was horrible. To be honest, if I was eating by myself, I would have enjoyed everything a lot more. His energy totally killed my vibe.

His mind was somewhere else and I was unable to connect with him.

We can truly enjoy the moment when we choose to be grateful, to notice the miracle around us. Everyday is a gift. When we are present we are able to connect with the people who are around us. That is one of the reasons I love traveling because I am usually present. I see the world with wonder, everything is new to me and I am not thinking about anything else. I don’t plan either, I usually allow spirit to lead me to the right place at the right time. I follow my bliss, I follow the adventure. When I am tired, I sit down at a cafe and observe the beauty around me. By being present I meet the most wonderful people.

When I was in London, I ate at a market in Brixton and met this girl. She asked if she could share the table with me. Turns out she worked at the Globe Theatre and she invited me to watch a play with her. I was truly grateful because she gave me free tickets and I had made a new friend. I was reminded that God was watching over me in every step of my journey backpacking through Europe. I have thousands of stories like this, divine appointments I call them.

Solitude

On October 5, 2016October 5, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn art, solo travel

open-mic-night

I like being alone.

I can spend 2 weeks alone, and the few encounters with strangers. I like solitude because it clears my mind. I can hear God clearly again in the chaos of human voices.

Sometimes when I spend too much time with people, my mind starts to sound like their voice, their troubles, their worries. I have learned to set boundaries and say “I need to be alone” and “I need alone time”.

Sometimes people get offended. They take it personally. They get mad.

I don’t care. I’m good with people, people love me, but I also love myself. I need to hear my heart. I enjoy my company more than most people. I really enjoy my voice, my words, my time.

I feel confident in my identity with God. Sometimes people ask me if I’m dating yet, I have no desire right now. Sometimes I just really love netflix and chill with myself time. A cup of ramen, some fruit, cheetos.

My love language is not quality time, too much quality time makes me cranky.

So if you like being alone, don’t feel bad. Some people are just made that way. Some people like coffee shops and a book. They like small group setting, meaning +1 only.

Purple Weed Cake

On August 29, 2016August 29, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn art, dream, faith, forgiveness, health, love, solo travel, spirituality, therapy, travel, writer

My craziest, well, I’ve HAD A LOT OF CRAZY travel experiences as a solo backpacker, but the weed cake in Amsterdam was PRETTY crazy.

I am not a drug user, I’ve never tried any hardcore drugs. I’ve only drank. And smoked weed (socially). But THE WEED CAKE from Amsterdam did me in. I only planned 2-3 nights there because the hostels were really expensive compared to the rates I was paying in other cities. After a 9 hour bus ride from London (in 2014), I got picked up from the bus station by a friend I met at King King (LA), which used to play really cool house music, but it is unfortunately now CLOSED. I used to go to King King with my older friends (well, not much older…haha, like 2-3 years older). My younger friends didn’t really understand what the heck it was about, you see it was about the MUSIC and the DANCING, not instagram.

Anyways, we had a meal, caught up and I went up.

It was the cheapest hostel in Amsterdam, which meant you literally lived across a 24 hour club banging loud music….I don’t know how I fell asleep at all.

But you know being semi- adventurous, I met some random friend in the lounge the next day, which happens to be purple, and he was like “hey, I heard there’s this really good weed cake, want to split one?” We found the cafe, owned by Armenians, I think, and we bought the famous weed cake he was talking about.

Anyways, we split it. We actually split it.

The last time I ate weed was when my friend made a cookie, I only ate a bit of it and when I was trying to drift off to sleep, I felt like there was a bug crawling in my stomach. Talk about paranoid.

Anyways, nothing happened.

But then I got really hungry and went to the only place I could afford with my budget, Burger King. Stupidly, I got a freaken coffee! And a meal. I devoured the load.

The coffee came sweeping up on me like a explosion of heartbeats and stars. I remembered my friend Munir told me not to drink coffee.

I was NOT okay.

I had to lie down fast or I was going to faint or have an epileptic attack.

I walked to my hostel mixed dorm room and climbed up to my bunk bed. I don’t know how much time past, but I literally saw my hand shaking. I called my boyfriend at the time, who I met in London, I said “I’m going to die, I’m dying”. He said “you sound okay to me”.

No really I’m dying.

I don’t know how much time past, but I kept staring at the clock scared that I would miss my bus tomorrow. I climbed down once, threw up, stared at the mirror, my eyes bloodshot. Was I dreaming? I climbed up again, how did I manage not to fall. I was not used to be out of control. I was a control freak really, I mean how else could I backpack on my own and not get kidnapped?

I projectile vomited a few times, one time I couldn’t hold it in and sort of sprayed into some of those Australian mates’ massive pile of stinky clothes and bags, there was even a doll in there. Like what?

The worse was when the purple swirly Victorian style wallpaper turned into Buddha. My heart was racing and this nice Samaritan gave me a drink of her water.

Later we would bump into each other in Berlin.

It was in the afternoon. I found myself playing worship music and praying in tongues. I forgave all my enemies and asked God to forgive me for hating on people.

I got my heart right somehow, I don’t know why, but I felt that if I died in that Amsterdam bunk bed, next to filthy stinky shit that belonged to these filthy mates, I’d be okay. Apparently, I even talked to some people, but half way I’d stop.

“where are you from?” – said stranger.

“I’m from LA”- Said me.

“How long are you traveling for?”

me- “uhhhh”. Blank out, I’m dying, I think.

Ran to bathroom, throw up, stare at mirror, ran back to bunk bed, am I alive, am I in some sort of Tom Cruise movie? Everything was like seconds of a film, it was a movie.

This is what came of that day.

You can order your own print here: https://society6.com/product/amsterdam-wz8_print#s6-2691391p4a1v45

The sketch, the cafe, and the hostel cat and I recovering.

I’ll always have stories to tell. Moral of the story, some good art might come from a horrific experience, and sometimes they wake us up to a spiritual reality.

Who Loves Beer? Ticket Giveaway!

On August 17, 2016August 17, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn events, food, solo travel, travel

Win Free Tickets

I love beer. I was born in Germany, I mean obviously. I love dark ales, IPAs, craft brews. That is why I’m giving tickets away!

Visit https://www.instagram.com/p/BJMd8YeB4K3/ TO ENTER!

In partnership with The California #Beer Festival@californiabeerfestival I am giving away 2 sets of CRAFT #BEER HEAVEN SATURDAY (sample 85 craft beers) tickets (2 per person, $100 value) and 2 sets of 4 FUNDAY SUNDAY tickets (4 per person, $40 value). This is all you have to do!

Visit The INSTAGRAM POST HERE!
1. Follow me @rebekkalien
2. Comment below- Tag 1 person you’d love to go with and and tell me which pack you’d prefer, the Craft Beer Heaven one or Funday One!

WINNERS RANDOMLY PICKED ON AUGUST 27, 2016! I will announce winners on August 28! 🙂 Tickets will be emailed to you!

To buy tickets or for more info!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/california-beer-festival-los-angeles-county-sept-10th-11th-san-dimas-tickets-23125795878 #tickets

Craft beer heaven saturday : ticket includes CBF tasting cup, 3 ounce samples of 85 craft beers, live music and entertainment!
Sunday funday: music and entertainment! No sampling this day but food and drinks are for sale.

Love, Rebekka Lien #beer #craftbeer #la #foodie #losangeles #free #giveaway

Happy 5 Year Anniversary To Me!

On July 30, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn art, dream, faith, solo travel, travel, writer

Pet Monkey of the sponsored boy I visited in Ecuador

5 years since I left that moldy office.

As a celebration, the super self published ebook is $9.99 for today only. https://payhip.com/b/6zoT

Here’s an excerpt of a 100 page book I have not touched for a year, that still needs some writing..

May 15, 2012- On my adventures in Ecuador.

Hi Friend!

I ́ve finally got the time to blog about my first 2 days

in Ecuador. The manager of the internet place just

asked me if I ́m married, it ́s not likely that random

strangers will make conversation with you by asking

about your boyfriend or spouse. He said, “your

boyfriend is in Ecuador?”. To which I said “America”.

I ́m in a random hole in the wall internet cafe, except

there is no coffee. It ́s called a “cabina”. I rode in a 5

hour bus to Tena from Quito today.

What I ́ve fortunately realized is that Ecuador is

probably the most beautiful place on earth, and

also the people are one of the kindest people on

earth as well. Unlike the pre- warnings that “omg”,

you are going to get robbed and beware of men

there, men in fact, especially the older ones have

been like papas to me. Today on the bus, I met a bus

driver who helped me find a hostel and find my way

around Tena. Then previously, a medicine salesman

helped me get to the terminal and take the right bus

to Tena.

He was very kind, though I don ́t understand why he

said he wanted to see a movie with me when I

already told him I had a boyfriend.

I paid 10 bucks to stay at a hostel. The hostel has a

little gap above the door so you can hear what drama

the owners are watching. The amazonias get really

cold at night, though during the day, it ́s like living

24-7 in a hot steam bath. I feel yucky. It feels like

living in Taiwan. The night, the markets do resemble

Taiwan markets from 15 years ago. Though Taiwan is

now much cleaner and more modernized.

I was thinking about how I ́m the only asian woman

walking on the street.

Sometimes you start to feel like an exotic animal

that everyone stares at. Now I know how white

people feel in Asia, except in this case, it ́s an Asian

in Ecuador. Staring is very normal, it seems.

The concept of private space does not exist here.

Personal space? What? When people point to tell you

something, they definitely cross your American

space, bypassing the normal boundaries of your

boobs. Of course, I ́m crossed and pissed. Though I

have realized, hey, they are not the only ones.

Sometimes they don ́t stop talking until you tell

them, ”I ́m going to take a nap”.

This morning, I was freaking out about how I would

get to Tena, I prayed. Then, when I was buying a 30

cent comb the medicine salesman happened to be

going there. Thank god! I would say, Ecuadorians are

WAY more hospitable than people in LA. I mean no

one in LA would take the time to help you.

Plus, if you think about it, no one goes walking in

Skidrow at night anyways. All the things you do at

home, is what you would do in a foreign country.

Speaking of foreign, I hope that I never act foreign,

besides the language barrier. I hope I ́m never

someone that treats locals with disrespect. I was

analyzing and observing today, and thinking about

what it means to be foreign.

And of course, how everything my American friends

warned me of, happens to be 99 percent not true. Of

course, we have to be careful wherever we go, but my

time in Ecuador, for the two days, have proven to be

positive…besides feeling like an exotic animal and

the sometimes ̈freaking annoying remarks

“cheennnnaaa” as in Chinese. Because the very idea

that a Chinese would come from Los Angeles seems

so foreign, I have to try really hard to be patient.

At a salon in Tena where Asians are rarely sighted.

The nice man who helped me find a hostel

My Worse Travel Experience

On June 16, 2016June 16, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn solo travel, travel7 Comments

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If I said I loved cebu, I would be lying. It may be because I went there for work but it was probably the worse experience I’ve ever had and I’ve traveled solo to 20 countries or so as an Asian woman.

No amount of resort hopping made up for how bad it was. And I’ve gotten food poisoning in galapagos, had a car accident in bali and was bed ridden for two weeks, had cussing confrontations with men in Morocco, gotten racist remarks thrown at me…

I tried to be positive too, I’ve always been a positive person. But when my phone got jacked while I was waiting on line…had someone push against me, I screamed for help and everyone stared at me, the police was unconcerned, tried to help me, but when I went to the video room, the proceed to ask me the most inappropriate victim blaming questions like “how come you’re not with your boyfriend?”

“Are you single?”

“Why did you put your phone there?”

Basically these men were hitting on me and I had to feel unsafe after getting my fucking phone stolen? The police station was even more shady, the police were trying to get close, they kept asking me if I was single and I felt really unsafe.

The next day I got a friend request from the swat officer who escorted me to the police station. He asked for my number and I said I already gave him my boss’s number. He said, no what’s your direct number in case I need help.

Wtf.

But the unsafeness didn’t end there.

I was at karaoke with my fellow cast and this Korean dude kept asking me if I was Chinese. When he left, he literally felt up my back, my friend said “don’t fucking touch her” and I said the same thing. I felt yucky, it was too late to throw a punch. My other friend suggested I should wear my jacket and I was like hell no, I’m hot. It made me mad that women are made to feel unsafe and that men are not kept accountable for their actions.

That’s just a few reasons I hated cebu,philippimes. But you see I don’t hate everyone there, of course. I just hate what happened there. I hated the energy I felt. Bad shit does happen to good people. The most positive people.

When I got back to la, my whole body felt tense and sore, like it was tense the whole time I was there and it was finally releasing.

I wish the world was completely safe for women, but the truth is, it isn’t. And until people are held responsible for their actions, they will continue to think its ok, its not ok to steal, its not ok to step into peoples personal space or boundaries.

And of course all this shit happens in America too.

And at the end of the day, I won’t regret ever traveling, I won’t regret a life of freedom and believing that there are good people in this world. Because the spirit of fear and darkness wants usto fear.

That’s why I’m dedicated to fighting injustice, evil and perpetrators.

So if you see something; say something. Not every country has the same morals but if you feel wronged, try to make a change. Try to show that it is not right.

If I Had Listened To the Naysayers…

On April 13, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn entrepreneur, solo travel, UncategorizedLeave a comment

If I had listened to the lies, I wouldn’t have believed that all things were possible.

I found a list of things I wrote- 5 star hotels, free travel, free hotels….and this day, I can say all those things are happening. Yes, and I get to do things I love, creative projects I am proud of. What changed for me?

I believed.

When you pray, God does not expect you to pay. That is actually what grace means, it means it is not something you work for. Of course, you prepare yourself by being always excellent with your word (read the 4 laws of agreement (I think that’s what the book is called). This is more about being a good steward of what you’ve been given, in effect, being totally GRATEFUL for everything you have already been given – shelter, food, love, family, friends. How can God give you more when you grumble about the things He has already given you?

Throughout the 5 years since I’ve been self employed, I’ve had to erase some beliefs I had about myself- things like “I’m worthless, I can’t, I don’t have enough money to, I’m not pretty enough”. God adjusted my worth level internally.

Once I started to let go of disappointments, bitterness, thoughts of unbelief and lack, things started happening. I also had to let go of the hustle.

I let go of things that felt forced, like I was striving, things that pulled me down, drained me of energy, had little return in joy or investment. I let go of regrets, what I could have or should have done, I let go of the past.

God told me to let go of the little gigs, you know the little opportunities that was not worth my time, the ones that paid little or had little exposure, you know, the ones that people think will forever give them a big break.

I let go of LITTLE THINKING people. Negative people are energy drainers. People who talked crap about me, who didn’t see my vision and said that I was just playing, just fooling around, being a bum traveling- I also refused to meet with them, because I knew they would drain my dreams.

I learned to think of abundance, I said “I am rich, I am beautiful, I am the daughter of the Great I am”. I changed my words, I no longer spoke in “I can’t, but, that’s impossible”. I no longer complained, I knew that every word I spoke was creating my world and it says “by your words you are justified”.

I aligned myself with people believed in the truth, not “reality”, which is always just a manifestation of the past.

I forgave. I released relationships that no longer thrived. And I believed that I was worthy to receive the good God has for me. Thank you Jesus.

rebekka3

Prague: The Great

On March 31, 2016March 31, 2016 By Rebekka LienIn solo travel, spirtual, travel, writerLeave a comment

Prague: 2014

I rode a Euro Bus to Prague, this was an overnight bus from Berlin. We were startled by the bus as it jerked to avoid a ramp, the Polish girl next to me claimed that Polish drivers are reckless (as they get paid shit) and that the driver is probably drunk. I’m not scared. However, when we first got on the bus we were scared because there was the probability that the bus driver wouldn’t let us use the bathroom. I had to make this gesture of wiping my down there since the bathroom didn’t have toilet paper. The driver spoke no English and waved his hands “NO NO NO bathroom”. My bladder is my first concern when I get on buses that have no toilets. “Where am I going to pee?” is my first question when I board a bus.

I don’t drink liquids hours before a long bus ride…like in Thailand and Vietnma the buses don’t have toilets and you have to ask the bus driver to stop for a toilet break. Of course few people ask out of embarrassment.

I arrive around 5am in the morning, my 4 wheel duffel bag from Target reluctantly gets on a tram as I pull it with great difficulty (should have stuck with a backpack). Mind you, one of the zippers had already broken at my first destination (London).

The night is dark, and even though I often have doubts and fears, I have to get to the hostel first (this is my first instinct of survival when I’m traveling). A Czech lady helps me to the hostel, actually she walks me there. My first impression- a good one, they are kind here, they help strangers.

prague prague1 prague3

How To Travel The World Without Breaking The Bank

On June 21, 2015August 11, 2015 By Rebekka LienIn solo travel, travel11 Comments

email me at rebekkalien@gmail.com

I decided to address this question “how do you afford to travel?”

First off, I’d like to say that I’ve traveled and moved all my life. I was born in Germany, moved to Taiwan, then to LA. I’m used to a migratory life and actually get bored if I stay in one place for too long. I’m what they call a third culture kid.

Second of all, my parents were backpackers too. My mom said one time she camped out in a tent in snowing and freezing weather. She drove 10 hours straight without stopping while my brother and I were asleep in the back. I am used to travel and I sleep very well in transportation such as planes and trains. It’s in my blood because my mom was an adventurer.

So in essence, traveling is not something that’s luxurious to me, it’s a way of life. Travel is a way of life. It’s a choice. For example, I could buy the newest version of the apple laptop or I can decide to live for experience and spend that money on a flight. I can go binge drinking with people or I can enjoy a glass of wine at happy hour.

You don’t need to be Einstein.

Third, I’ve been self-employed for 4 years so career, travel, life hacking is my specialty. I can find a good deal at a department store or a discount store, it doesn’t matter, I’ve hacked deals before. Travel is not anything different. You can get my ebook “How To Make Money Doing What You Love” here! Being an entrepreneur was a choice I made. I made a commitment to my own happiness. I quit my full time job because I wanted to be happy and when you follow your bliss, you will live your bliss, even if there are hardships on your journey….in the end you know you did it because you committed to your own happiness. That is key. So the whole “how can I afford it” isn’t in the question. How can you afford to be unhappy in this lifetime? If you truly want to be happy, you will do whatever it takes to follow your dreams.

Here are common objections:

1. I don’t have money- First off, as I write in my book, it’s not HARD to sell off your shit. STOP playing the victim game and sell your unnecessary shit already. People have STORAGE rooms in AMERICA, shit they don’t even NEED!!!! OMG, sell it and live your dreams. STOP making excuses and be creative. There is a solution to your “broke” – ness. I know because being an entrepreneur meant thinking of creative ways to pay rent. I’m not a trust fund kid and never got allowance from my mom, so people who say they don’t have money….-.-! You’re being ridiculous, no offense.

Plus you’re living the victim mentality. That will get you nowhere. You are more creative, more awesome than you’ll ever know. But you have to believe it first.

Solution: Make your priorities priorities. If travel is on the top of your list, stop wasting money on shit you don’t need or want. For example, the 10th thousands shoes you bought because you really neeeeeeddddd it to show people who don’t care about you that you’re cool. Oh okay.

Not all travel costs money. There are ways to make money while traveling, like selling your ebooks, selling stuff on ebay. You can read about this on my ebook.

I’ve couchsurfed for 2 weeks at a time in Paris and Sao Paulo, I have met random strangers and stayed with them. I’ve found really great hotel deals, I’ve gotten free stays for writing about the location or hotel. Hostels costs $5-$10 in countries like Ecuador or Czech Republic.

I also made a decision that I wanted to live a life of travel, that means my career takes me places. In May I got to speak at a women’s conference and they covered my hotel stay, food, transportation. I’ve gotten paid for speaking, I’m a prophetess that delivers life changing messages and people love hearing what I have to say so they are happy to host me.

If you know what you have to offer this world, traveling shouldn’t be a luxury for the super rich, it should be part of who you are. I have made life time connections on airplanes, in bathrooms, at bus stops. I know that God sends me around the world to make amazing spiritual connections, to impact people, to inspire people to dream again or to point out something they’ve neglected to do in order to pursue their dreams. I believe the world is full of sleeping giants and I know that I’ve been chosen to be the catalyst. I have that effect on people.

People start living their dreams or they start believing that they can live their dreams because they see me living it.

Because I know my purpose in this life, I make my vision, purpose, desires, talents, skills and personality all come together. That is living YOUR DREAMS.

I also made a choice that because I want a life of travel, I’d rather not have my own apartment or furnitures. I sold almost everything I had, my couch, my bed, dishes, etc. I wanted to be free as the spirit led me to pick up and go. I’ve become a minimalist so that I can focus on what really matters to me: Love, Community, Creative, Freedom.

It’s not that I don’t like stability, it’s because stability is in my heart.

I’ve truly NEVER felt happier because I’m free to live a life of travel.

2. I don’t have time- Well, if you’re working a job you hate, quit already. No one is putting a gun to your head to live a life you hate. Second of all, if you’re spending your time doing anything you don’t like, why live at all?

Solution: Live 100% of your time on this life doing what you love.

3. I’m scared I’ll get robbed, kidnapped, raped even- those are possibilities even where you live or outside your door. You can live in fear your whole life or choose to overcome by doing.

Solution: Focus on what you want to happen- like amazing adventures meeting awesome people. Second, be smart and wise. Don’t go in dark alleys and watch your drinks. Try to meet kind people while traveling, so when you go out with them, you can feel safe. Plus Americans think every other country is dangerous…when our country probably is the most dangerous.

Have I come back from a trip feeling broke? Yes, have I been emptied of all my cents and dollars?

Yes.

But was that the end of my world?

No.

Because I know how to create income.

So you should get my ebook, because I highly recommend it.

You can get my ebook “How To Make Money Doing What You Love” here!

XOXO BEX

BTW what are my travel plans? I’m waiting for my renewed 52 page passport, I’m waiting to hear about Rorotonga and I should be going to Thailand/Southeast Asia.