Transcendental: An Interview With Nichel Schwarz

The radiant Nichel Schwarz takes us to an altogether higher plane as she talks with Love Force about goals, the universe, and a little bit of Emerson. (Editor's note: This is one of the most genuine women you'll ever encounter. She is sunshine.)

LF: What are things that you’ve done in your life that make you proud of yourself?

Accomplishing goals. This sounds so simple but when I accomplish a goal I set, I am proud of myself. When I was about to graduate high school, I set a list of 100 goals for myself for the next five years and in that list of goals were things as complex as "graduate college" and goals as simple as "go skydiving." I'm proud to say I've accomplished 96 of those goals. The goals I'm most proud of accomplishing are:

1. First and foremost, I'm proud of marrying my husband

2. Secondly, graduating college

3. Attending a semester abroad 

4. Learning how to love myself 

5. Conquering my biggest fears 

6. Never losing an opportunity to understand someone 

LF: Who or what do you most connect with? Why?

This is so cliché, but my whole life I've felt a connection with the sky and the earth. I truly believe we each have a star shining for us; I've believed this for as long as I can remember. Every time I take a minute to breathe in the fresh air of our earth, really examine the mountains, or feel the salty ocean on my skin, I feel connected with the universe and God. This world is amazing. If you feel alone, if you need hope, or need to feel loved, look into the night sky and focus on the stars, float on your back in the ocean and close your eyes and listen to the water beat against your ear drums. It heals. I have a deep love and passion for the world and the universe—it's always there for us to connect with. It’s a constant and always will be.

LF: If joy became an international currency, what kind of work would make you wealthy?

The times when I feel the most joy are the times when I'm not focused on myself. This is something I truly came to learn and understand my freshman year of college. If joy became an international currency the work that would make me wealthy is helping others. Immersing myself in new countries is the other thing that makes me feel the most joy. Doing humanitarian work in countries around the world with my husband, this is the thing that would make me wealthy. 

LF: Do any of the things that used to upset you a few years ago matter at all today? If so, what’s changed?

The only things that upset me a few years ago that still matter are the things not about myself things like global warming, equality, extreme poverty, foreign aid. The things that aren't about myself are things that still matter. The things that upset me a few year ago that don’t anymore were things relating to myself, and these things can slowly break you down. Don’t let what others think of you affect you; don't worry about what outfit you're going to wear, if you're skinny enough, or if you have enough likes on Instagram—because it doesn't matter. Wear whatever you want, post whatever you want, and be yourself because none of it matters. These things have changed for me in the past few years because, I believe, my perspective on life has been broadened. This is so much more out there than we know. My heart and mind have been opened. 

LF: What’s something that you struggled or struggle with that you feel you’ve improved on?

I struggle to express my opinions and ideas. Usually, this is because I love hearing what other people have to say but it's also because sometimes I am afraid to be wrong, judged, or to clash with someone else’s viewpoint. In Self Reliance, Ralph Waldo Emerson writes, "A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within . . .” Never pass up an opportunity to be heard, to express yourself, or to be understood. Be yourself don't be afraid to express your beliefs, thought, ideas, or take action about something that matters to you. And if someone doesn't agree with you, you don't have to apologize. Don't miss an opportunity to share something so uniquely wonderful that is yours, something that came from your beautiful mind. This is something I have struggled with and something I still struggle with. One day I hope to fully live by Emerson’s words.

Soak up more of this girl's light and love on Instagram at @nichelschwarz