We just returned from an amazing family adventure in Guatemala, 14 of us in total!
Highlights included phenomenal food, a four-hour horseback ride up a volcano (where we roasted marshmallows over hot lava – yup, look closely, that’s lava – to make s’mores!) and soaking in the rich culture of the World Heritage Colonial city of Antigua (no, not the island).
One of my most lasting impressions was the hidden beauty behind the facades of the homes lining the cobblestone streets. If I had been dropped there alone, I might have felt hesitant or even fearful. The exteriors were stark and uninviting – solid walls with imposing wooden doors and tiny ‘Wizard of Oz’ peek windows. But behind the closed doors? Some of the most welcoming, uniquely beautiful homes I’ve ever seen.
The house we stayed in revealed three inner courtyards (see above) open to the sky, filled with vibrant plants and a fountain, and cozy spaces for gathering or solitude. The rooftop alone stretched the length of the home, offering 360-degree views of the four surrounding volcanoes. My granddaughter snapped this night sky from there.
I never would have chosen this destination on my own (it was a 50th anniversary gift from our oldest son, daughter-in- law and my sister, but that’s another story, lol). And yet, I am so deeply grateful to have had this experience.
It made me wonder: What lies behind your facade? What lies behind mine?
Of course, we all have our physical bodies – we are 3 dimensional beings with all the joys, challenges and stories that come with being human. But when we turn inwards and look within, it’s possible to discover worlds of unfathomable beauty and energy.
Isn’t it extraordinary to consider that we are extensions of Source Energy or Infinite Intelligence? That the same intelligence organizing the universe, moment by moment, is also animating our 37.2 trillion cells?
Have you ever stopped to contemplate this? That the innate well-being of our planet and our bodies far outweighs the sorrow, struggle and fear we so often focus on?
Of course, we don’t deny the realness of pain or hardship. But we can begin to understand that the energy we cultivate within ourselves – moment by moment – is the energy we contribute to the world.
We don’t necessarily need more fixers or those solely focused on the exterior events. Maybe, we need more feelers, those who have learned to look beyond the facade and feel their way into clarity, peace and presence.
Because the more calm, grounded and open we are, the more we relax into the joy of living – and the more joy we find, the more we invite others to do the same.
With love and curiosity, Patty
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