Reflections of Travels

The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page
– Saint Augustine

The year of 2024, was my year of travel!  In March 2024, I was guided to Hamburg, Germany.  By the summer, the destination was Lisbon, Portugal for a family trip.  When one travels, there is often a feeling of freedom, possibility and to dream.  An underlying expectation that each journey will be full of positive experiences, people and culture.  However, what does one do when this expectation is not fulfilled?  

What guided me to Hamburg, Germany?  It was my sister whom I was to visit in Germany.  Her family are expats and have lived all over the world.  Truly an enriching way to live life!  Germany is a country that piqued my curiosity.  Historically I knew one day I would venture to this vast land.  Hamburg was like a European suburb.  It offered an aesthetic of culture, innovative architecture and was surrounded by the sea.  

Visiting my sister was an enriching experience.  This trip was preordained, as I felt we were supposed to help one another heal and evolve.  The reality was, we let our vulnerabilities be seen, spoke from the soul and showed up as ourselves.  Germany, especially Hamburg, actually shattered my soul.  I am a “wanderlust” and this was hard for me to grasp.  The reality of this vacation was that I experienced a cold culture and racial tension.  I was not accepted, as I am a visible minority.  I became quiet and had to go inwards for reflection.  I admire my sister as she has learned German, become resilient by being in another country and has found her way.  I am certain there are many individuals who have experienced what I had.  Gratitude, counting my daily blessings kept my overall energy intact.  

I have always been an avid reader, books are my source of inspiration.  I picked up a few novels before heading abroad.  I read an incredible novel called “Brida” –  by Paulo Coelho.  This novel assisted with understanding my soul, I never knew about.  That there is a light which always shines no matter what circumstances are thrown our way.  The narrative was depicted in Ireland.  The storyline was centered around a young woman who was discovering her innate healing gifts – as a new age witch.  I have always been drawn to Ireland and know I will venture there at the precise timing. 

When you find your path, you must not be afraid. You need to have sufficient courage to make mistakes. Disappointment, defeat, and despair are the tools God uses to show us the way
― Paulo Coelho, Brida

During my travels to Germany –  prayer, yoga, meditation and listening to the channeling of Kyron helped me stay nourished.  My perspective was that the world is changing and kindness will always prevail.  Love needed to be sprinkled on Hamburg.  I ventured to Berlin which was a breath of fresh air.  My sister and I traveled by train, the European way!  We visited galleries, ate beautiful food and saw historical monuments that were embedded deep into my soul.     

Travel light, live light, spread the light, be the light. – Yogi Bhajan

By July the forces of nature brought me to Lisbon for a family reunion.  The energy of Portugal was of light heartedness.  I had never been to Portugal and being by the ocean was a healing experience.  The moment I stepped off the airplane in Portugal, I knew instantaneously that this would be a unique adventure.  The people, history and climate was entrenched with love.  You could not help but feel a sense of awe everywhere you went.  We celebrated my Mother’s 75th Birthday, ate Portuguese tarts daily and ventured to cities close by.  I felt carefree, alive and one with life.  Portugal, had a lasting imprint not only on myself but with the entire family.  Portugal felt like a hug for the soul, one could feel a vibration of spiritual energy.    

Live your life by a compass, not a clock  – Stephen Covey


Traveling to Europe last year brought contrasting energies.  Germany was eye opening and had a deeper significance.  The influence of migration and the socio-political structure has shifted the country not only in Germany but worldwide.  I acknowledge that my expectations were not met, and that is ok.  I was vulnerable, suffering and kept faith.  That one experience will not hinder me from going back.  As I am drawn to water, it felt that I was being restored.  The universe propelled me to Germany to shine light on a country that needed love.  I too had to shed old skin and grow.  The relationship with myself was being replenished.  Portugal in hindsight was the re-birthing of a new version of who I am.  As I felt my soul shattered in Germany, in Portugal I collected those pieces like a tapestry and wove them together.  

Our souls are drawn to certain cities, countries and continents for a divine reason unbeknownst to us at the time.  Be it past-life or curiosity, there is something mystical with traveling.  The soul holds an invisible compass that guides one to particular places.  For anyone who is a wanderlust, or a carefree soul –  do not let anyone or anything dim your light.  Allow this powerful phrase from Mel Robbins to guide you on your way in life –  “Let them”.

Your relationship with yourself is the foundation for everything in your life
― Mel Robbins

The Divine Essence of Nature

13 Beautiful Nature Quotes - LAUGHTARD

Love the world as your own self; then you can truly care for all things – Lao Tzu

The year 2020 was a period of inner awakening and reflection.  Not a single person anticipated Covid-19 or a global lock-down.   Life was placed on pause for all of humanity.  Visiting your family, going to work, dramatically shifted.  Communicating via online resources, is how everyone stays connected.  Social distancing and masks have become somewhat the norm for the mass.

We are living in a new timeline on Earth and unaware of what lies ahead.  We may be fearful of what is to transpire,  however life can only get better from this moment forward.  There are also many blessings from Covid.  I often question,  how did this all happen?  Has Mother Earth been trying to get our attention all along?  What comes to mind is nature, how can we learn from the elements of the earth?    If we listen intently, they speak to our soul.  

Moon  

First and foremost I am a Moon child, born under the sign of Cancer.  The Cancer sign is governed by the moon.  The moon is Yin energy, associated with the Divine Feminine.  When a Full Moon occurs, it is a time of retreat.  The themes of forgiveness, self-compassion and surrender are apparent during the transition to the full-moon.  The luminous moon is an elixir of dark and light.  As the moon enters different phases, human beings feel the gravitational pull as well.  The moon is asking you to honor where you are, and nurture your being.  

Sun

“Here comes the sun, and I say its all right”  Beautiful lyrics sung by the infamous Beatles.  The sun is known to have masculine Yang energy.  It is that inner fire within your soul.  Correlated to the solar chakra, which represents confidence, will-power, strength and more.  Do you ever notice when the sun shines, it brightens your day?  The sun gives light to the earth, helps with growth and vegetation and showers us with vitamin D.  The sun can be seen as a force so powerful, one can not comprehend its magnitude.  

Water

Water fluid, ever changing and representing the veins of Gaia.  Water represents our emotions.  The veins of water are oceans, lakes, streams and rivers.  With Covid how have you been, emotionally and spiritually?  Are you able to flow with everything or have resistance.  The more you can flow with life and surrender, it creates space for change.  Remember, water represents 70% of your body.  The more water you drink, it aids with nourishing your inner temple.  

Nature always wears the colors of the spirit –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Air 

Historically the element of air is associated with new beginnings, creativity and intelligence.   When the forces of wind are roaring in the air, Mother Nature is trying to get our attention.  Could it be the wisdom of our ancestors speaking to us through the wind?  Perhaps, whispering messages for us to decipher or understand.  Have you ever heard that expression, spring is in the air?  Air is what we breathe in each day, gives us vitality.  Spring air brings in expansion, similar to all seasons.  The question is, are you listening? 

Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter — Rachel Carson

Fire

Fire is depicted as a masculine energy, providing light and transformation.  It starts out as a flame and has the capacity to burn anything which comes in its way.  Fire represents strength as there is a power in the flame.  It could be seen as a destroyer of the darkness.  This element takes out the old and brings in the new.  Fire is a force to be reckoned with. 

Earth

Earth energy is stillness, life and rebirth.  It is grounding, nurturing and wise.  By planting your feet outside on the earth you are healing.  There are many who noticed a shift during 2019 and the beginning of 2020.  On a personal level, my soul felt tired.  I was feeling lethargic, sensed I needed to rest.  I was not angry when Covid occurred.  I recognized it as a time of healing the spirit.  SELF-CARE became a priority for many.  There were many signs that Gaia was tired.  During 2019 Mama Earth, experienced wildfires in Australia and drought along with floods in the USA.  The fires may have been her anger, the floods her tears.  We needed to listen.  Earth, if you interchange the words – becomes Heart.  One could assume, the Divine Earth is the heart of everything.  

What have you Learned from Covid?  

The earth is the foundation to everything.  My firm belief is that we needed to go back to basics.  Be love, shine love, be an expression of love.  Nature is our source of healing, by being outdoors our senses are heightened and soul expanded.  Family time is something to never take for granted.  The value of making your meals and sitting with family is golden.  Memories that are irreplaceable.  Many realize that they require less to be happy.  Relationships have been tested and jobs as well.  However, there is balance.

In hindsight, could it be possible that collectively a break was given to us, to reflect?  To converse with your inner self and higher power?  I am a firm believer that everything happens for our highest good.  There is much to learn from 2020 on an individual and collective level.  Gaia is teaching valuable life lessons, we were finally listening to the frequencies.  The strongest energetic vibration is love.       

We need the tonic of wildness…At the same time that we are earnest to explore and learn all things, we require that all things be mysterious and unexplorable, that land and sea be indefinitely wild, unsurveyed and unfathomed by us because unfathomable. We can never have enough of nature  — Henry David Thoreau