Writing this a few days into the journey, Canada seems like a long time ago. But the warmth in my heart and the sense of ease and joy I have is a remnant of my beautiful summer. I finished my studies in August and enjoyed a beautiful month of summer adventures, gatherings, and events. I feel as if everything I love about my home gave me a huge warm hug to send me on my way. :) I hosted three European couch-surfers throughout the month and each visit evolved into something beautiful with friends and food and summer weather. A community home nearby that I love to visit began hosting dumpster diving quests followed by feasts and food distributions. Their home is always a lovely place with welcoming people, an abundance of rescued food, two warm cats, a huge yard for picnics, and even an amazing treefort perched high in a sequoia. I also visited the beach many times, sometimes leaving the house in bare feet with nothing on me to wander the quiet neighborhood streets until the sand and cold salty ocean embraced my toes. One summer day I even rediscovered a childhood joy when a large log floated by, offering me a friendly invitation. "Hey, remember when you used to build driftwood rafts as a kid and then drift about the bay in the hot sun, held afloat over the icy waters by your own craft?" And so, enjoying the interested stares from the sunbathers, I did just that, even now as a 25 year old, demonstrating how to play. Even some kids at the beach watched in envy and excitement, wishing they could join in but being restrained by the constant nagging of their parents...Although I soon left the raft for them and watched in amusement as they shrieked with joy and pushed off from the shore to the dismay of their parents. Sadly, the parents only paused long enough to take photos (to prove their kids were adventurous and playful) before telling them to come back into shore before they, heaven forbid, go up to their chests in water. Regardless, the raft fell part rather quickly with them climbing all over it. :)
I also held a few gatherings at my place during the summer and each was entirely unique. The first was a candlelit gathering where we sat on blankets and pillows in the center of the spacious hardwood floor while the sun set through the large windows, and we did yoga, discussed the deepest depths of life, and then enjoyed a long energy healing session after realizing that we all had some experience with healing. I hosted two more of these events and a whole different gathering of people came to be, leading to another unique experience.
Some of the discussions I had with close friends in that final month were soul-stirring and I found that through a connection with another I was more able to let go of the egoic concerns to channel my words and insights from a place of being where my sense of self was expanded to embody the entire moment. I was the moment, and reveling in this experience through a connection with another, a sense of group consciousness was explored.
And then began the magical annual adventure into the Sooke Hills with my close dear friends from Saltspring Island, who I first met way back in high school. The adventures were beautiful with a night spent under the stars, camping, and then a bouldering swimming adventure through the incredible Sooke River Canyon! The Sooke Potholes are one of the best swimming holes in all of BC, and this adventure was just perfect.
And after wrapping up my time in Victoria, I moved to Saltspring Island for two relaxed weeks, connecting with every member of my large family including the youngest, my three-month old niece. The bright beautiful cozy Saltspring home was a great place to unwind, reflect, and continue the conscious preparation for the journey ahead with meditations and long walks in the deep forest. And with a wrap-around porch, large windows, and a porch swing, not to mention wholesome home cooked meals and two lovable cats, my time there was golden.
My final preparations were relaxed and grounded, and I wondered about the mind's concept that I ought to feel a certain way, and wondering why I didn't and what that might mean. People would ask me,
"Aren't you excited for your journey?"
"Why aren't you showing a buzz of energy?"
"Are you nervous?"
"Are you sad to leave your home and all this wonderful community?"
I didn't have much of an answer to any of these questions. Yes, my being felt energized and enlivened, but all of this was grounded and nestled in an incredibly simple feeling of, "Yes. This is right. I am ready for the journey to begin." I took everything one moment at a time. Indeed, even now I am taking one moment at a time and feel little apprehension. Everything is as it should be I guess. There is nothing to say how I ought to feel. It is indescribable anyway.
And so I left Saltspring on September 11th and began the journey. :)
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