Tick-tock. Time moves, leaving us suspended in its eternal loop, pondering - what makes this feeling so extraordinarily wonderful, so ineffable that ordinary words fail to capture its essence?
I posed a question I couldn't quite grasp in that fleeting moment, yet somehow, the answer guided me to this very place, this juncture of serendipity and wonder.
It might seem peculiar, but in its peculiarity lies a profound sense of rightness.
In Japan, I found myself deeply moved by Michael A. Singer's words from his transformative book, "The Surrender Experiment." His wisdom gently pried open my eyes and heart, inviting me to surrender to the universe's flow, to dance with its rhythm rather than resist its melody.
On a day that seemed ordinary at first glance, I received a call from a potential house owner whose pets I had offered to sit. As fate would have it, that same day, we embarked on a journey across the enchanting island of Okinawa. The experience was breathtaking, beautiful, and life-altering in that subtle, almost imperceptible way that reverberates through your soul long after the moment has passed.
That very day, the universe conspired in our favor. We received a resounding "yes" from that particular pet owner, inviting us into their home and entrusting us with the care of their beloved furry companions.
The following day, as if guided by an invisible hand, we found ourselves on the island of Miyagi. There, we encountered one of those rare, beautiful souls who not only provided shelter for the night but also opened their heart to us. In that brief encounter, our lives intertwined, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts for eternity.
I often find myself repeating that the most wonderful aspect of traveling isn't the places, monuments, nature, culture, or weather - as magnificent as they may be. No, it's the PEOPLE - their hearts and their inherent beauty. The connections we forge and that invisible string that plucks at our shared humanity inevitably changes everything within us. This, I believe, is the most precious impact one can experience - to learn, to grow, to evolve in the time we're gifted as human beings.
In this journey, I finally discovered the answer to the question, "Why would we travel to Australia?" It's beautifully simple yet profoundly powerful - to find your people, to allow yourself to be touched by the beauty, generosity, and kindness that melts your heart and humbles you before the wonder of life.
The pet owner who invited us into their home touched our hearts in a way that transcends mere words. It's a feeling I'll recognize in my children's eyes and in the quiet stirrings of my own heart for years to come.
We forged bonds - with people, with their stories, and with their animals. We gleaned lessons about life, friendship, and the value of living in a way that extends beyond the confines of this world.
I am immensely grateful for opening myself to the universe's guidance through this journey, finding myself in the most unique moments of all.
Today, we bid farewell to those who gave us so much, knowing that we hold this shared experience in a timeless moment. We part with hope in our hearts, anticipating more such moments in the time to come.
Like an invisible circle, something has drawn this experience around me. Within me, an "aha" moment unfurled its wings and took flight, traversing past, present, and future, leaving only the essence of now to settle in my humbled heart.
In this very peculiar life, I've learned that the most extraordinary adventures often begin with a simple "yes" to the unknown. And in that affirmation, we open ourselves to the poetry of existence, to the heartwarming connections that remind us of our shared humanity, and to the endless wonder that awaits when we surrender to the flow of the universe.
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