We had the good fortune of connecting with Ziya Rettig and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ziya, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
We do not get to know how many days we will get to live this life. People spend too much time doing things that do not make their hearts sparkle, things that drain their very essence. I encourage my children to express themselves in the most authentic ways that they know how. I provide them with a safe and loving space to explore and create themselves. I encourage them to make the most of each day and dream big. I’ve modeled for them that happiness is the most important thing in the world and that they are worthy of unconditional love. I believe that the best way to teach our children is to lead by example. A few of the ways I have done so include: leaving unhealthy and unloving relationships, starting my own business, and selling the home that we lived in for the past 12 years and moving us into a 36′ motorhome so that we can travel the United States.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve always chosen to be in service to others. I’ve been an independent contractor and/or self employed since I was 16-years-old. It is important to me to invest my time into things that I feel matter, things that make a difference in the lives of others, things that fill my cup. There is nothing easy about being an entrepreneur because there is no consistency and things can change any moment. However, I’ve always trusted myself enough to know that I will not only survive, but thrive from any situation I am presented with.

I’ve learned that when you are passionate about what you do, even the longest and most difficult days feel fulfilling. The world needs people who are inspired, happy, and following their callings.

Any this point in my life, I feel inspired to write. By 2023, I will have four children’s books and one adult book published. The children’s books are based on the principles of yoga and include content about self love, relationships with others, gratitude, affirmations, anti-bullying, and much more. The adult book is a journey through and to the Self. It is a collection of stories about my relationships and the pieces of myself that I collected from each one. It goes on to talk about how the real love story is the one that we have with ourselves. Coming home to ourselves, honoring ourselves, and truly loving ourselves is the answer to all relationship problems.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, I know nothing about the strip. I’m more interested in slowing down and connecting with nature. If my best friend came to visit me for a week, I would plan a trip. Since I live in a motorhome, we could go anywhere!

I actually have a trip planned for Arizona with one of my good friends. We will boondock in our motorhomes the entire trip. We will visit the south rim of the Grand Canyon, Bearizona and Sedona. The place I am most looking forward to eating is ChocolaTree Organic Eatery in Sedona. Other than that, I will be making cold pressed juices for breakfast and vegan dinners. I am most looking forward to visiting Slide Rock State Park, Devil’s Bridge, Montezuma Well and West Fork Oak Creek.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Every single person that we meet plays a role in who we become. I have been blessed to have relationships with people who have taught me so much about myself and have helped me un-become all that was no longer serving me. Even the people who have hurt me the most have helped me grow.

Of course, my children have been my truest teachers, the best cheerleaders, and the most supportive people in my life. They also remind me not to take everything so seriously and to keep trying when things seem overwhelmingly impossible. We are on this journey together, therefore, they are included in the decision making process.

Website: www.doulaseva.com

Instagram: @ziya_nicole

Image Credits
Lacy Wood

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