CURIOSITY AS MY compass

"Love says 'I am everything', wisdom says  'I am nothing'. Between the two, my life flows"  Sri Nisargatta Maharaj

Sometimes life asks us to pause, especially after major transitions.  In the summer of 2023, I heeded the call from the deepest part of myself to take a break. (see previous blog post here). I gave myself the gift of time; a “soul-batical” of sorts. Not just to recharge and recalibrate, but to unearth the parts of myself that got buried under years of responsibility, routines and the relentless demands of modern life.
 
My intention was to immerse myself in the beauty of nature, to say “yes” to life, to adventure, and to bathe in the creativity that flows when all my senses are awakened by new lands and cultures.
 
As I wandered through ancient forests, spectacular mountains, and wild jungles, I found that while the landscapes around me were awe-inspiring, the real journey was within. I craved simplicity and silence – letting the sounds and sights of nature work their quiet magic. Curiosity became my compass and I followed its gentle lead.
 
Although I set out with the idea of documenting my journey with a blog, I found my soul needed freedom and space to breathe and time to heal without the added pressure of writing publicly. Instead, I shared glimpses of my travels through photos—moments of beauty that took my breath away. My hope was to inspire others to reconnect with that sense of wonder we often lose in life’s daily routines. I know that the real gift is learning to keep this wonder alive without ever having to leave home; by noticing the extraordinary within the ordinary. And I’m deeply aware of how fortunate I am to have taken a journey like this when so many never have that chance.
 
I am still unpacking the impact and significance of this journey. What I can share now as I return home is that despite the news of how broken the world is and despite the very real tragedies and hardship that so many endure, there remains so much kindness, generosity, breathtaking beauty and wild open spaces.  This trip has reminded me that it’s important to live in awareness of and an ability to hold both – an acknowledgement of what’s broken and a deep appreciation for what is whole and beautiful. 
 
As I make my way back home, it's apparent that the courage I needed wasn’t in the travel itself but in navigating the "messy middle" and the apprehension this transitional phase presents. The "messy middle" is the space between what has been left behind and the uncertainty of what lies ahead. It can be a white knuckle ride. When I can remember to trust, to follow my curiosity and as Rumi counsels "follow the call that excites your spirit", I can breathe a little deeper again.

What is clear to me is that my desire to support others on their own journeys remains ever present. I know that living a life of purpose and meaning comes from lifting each other up and from finding ways to be part of the change we wish to see in our world.
 
How do I want to spend this next chapter? By sharing hope, resilience, and a reminder that we all have the power to reconnect, renew, and reimagine our lives – no matter where we come from or what we’ve been through.