And so it has ended; my time in Seville came to an end earlier than originally planned, and I am extremely grateful for it all. I had been thinking for a few weeks now that it no longer felt "right", and the universe kindly gave me an opportunity to leave – not only to leave but to go somewhere I always feel light, loved and supported. I feel blessed to be here, to have time to myself to reflect on this past year, and to give full closure to everything with gratitude so that I can start 2024 with an open heart and mind.
I learned so much, as always. Another stepping stone on this journey that is life. It is tempting to think of situations that do not work out as failures or wasted time or whatever else we might want to label them; I've come to understand that they are just that: situations and events coming together to form a path. The way we navigate this path is up to us, but every step will be affected by the decisions we make along the way.
The past week was emotionally heavy, yet extremely enriching. I gave myself time and space to observe my emotions and that of others with kindness, compassion and calm so that I could stay centered. I allowed myself to breathe through it all, and by doing so, I created a window overlooking a new field of possibilities.
As challenging as life can be at times, it can be just as magical. And perhaps the key lies in that: finding the magic in the chaos.
Even though I felt ready to leave way before last Thursday, I wanted to remain present and enjoy the time I had left in Seville. So many beautiful things came from what is now my last time living there. I met so many inspiring people, got to discover a part of Seville I was unfamiliar with, and reconnected with people I had not seen in a couple of years. This experience also clarified some things in terms of what I would like to focus on in 2024.
For now, I am in Portugal, taking a few days to adjust to the sudden change in course. I got to spend a beautiful afternoon on a boat trip around Lagos today – I had never seen Lagos from this perspective. I found out more about its history and culture from a very skilled, knowledgeable and funny sailor.
On the 11th of December, I will return to Seville to complete my Reiki initiation. I began my Reiki initiation in 2016 with my teacher in Seville, and I decided to end my time in Seville by completing my Reiki mastery with the same teacher who has accompanied me in this journey. The whole process is a 21-day daily meditation and Reiki healing leading to the day of initiation. I am looking forward to come full circle and close my time in Seville with this beautiful healing practice.
Winter is a season I often struggle with due to the shorter days and the cold weather, but, this year, I feel more at ease with this introspective period of slowing down, it is an opportunity to reevaluate what serves me and what doesn't.
I am filled with a deep sense of knowing, even though I do not have concrete plans for the months to come. I have never been a big planner anyway; I have always looked to the unknown with excitement for what is in store. Of course, uncertainty can be unsettling, but life is nothing but certain. That is what makes it even more exciting and enchanting: we never know what is around the corner – even with the most carefully laid-out plans. What I know for sure is that I want to make the most of it and enjoy every step along the way, mindfully yet fearlessly.
