My five weeks of travel turned out to be such an eye and heart opening experience.
For as long as I can remember, I've had a dream of one day living along the Pacific Coast. And now, after having spent over a month there, and for various reasons, I can say without a doubt that this is no longer what my heart desires. Don't get me wrong, I still love the beach. I don't think that will ever change! But I guess sometimes we hold a vision that our happiness is some place else and once we 'get there' our lives will be ideal. Not very 'living in the moment' of me, that's for sure.
It was funny, while I was away a friend of mine commented on one of my many beachy social media posts, "I hope you're having as much fun as it seems by your pictures." Wow, what a statement, because I spent the majority of my vacation in a position that never did heart align; where judgments and assumptions were abundant, considerations few, and perceptions so foreign from my own that true connection was never formed. Without going into the particulars, the first four weeks of my vacation was spent wandering and exploring solo. I felt super alone. Although the beach was beautiful and my sister called me nearly every single day (thank you so much sis), I discovered it isn't WHERE we are, so much as who we are with.
But it was indeed a great opportunity for introspection. I kept asking myself, "Why am I here?" Then someone suggested I simply absorb everything I'm going through and find something to take away from each experience.
So I did. And I learned a lot in those reclusive moments.
I was able to strengthen my capacity to not reactively judge back a person who was hell-bent on judging me. But rather, to recognize their pain and fear, without feeling the need to point it out to them. Then to simply give them the acceptance I would have loved to have received from them.
I realized how much being in a space that doesn't resonate with our soul can affect our well-being and that we should NEVER make that compromise.
I learned that when we are surrounded by love, compassion, understanding, acceptance and those who resonate with us, it really doesn't matter WHERE we are or what we're doing - we have a blast!
Fortunately, that was how I spent the last fun-filled week of my vacay when my bestfriend showed up. I wanted to squeeze her tight for I haven't been that happy to see someone in a very long time! Thank you for being you bestie and traveling clear across the USA to be with me!
But most of all, these experiences gifted me with such renewed clarity about what's truly important in life and granted me the opportunity to drop even deeper into myself and stand even stronger in my power. I'm so appreciative of that.
Today, surrounded by love, I am fully content right here where I am - on this beautiful, quiet day at home in the desert.