Welcome to God's country, no, Buddha's country. It never ceases to amaze me how little aw man made creations bring about in comparison to those of Nature. In places like this I understand why people believe in Gods, Spirits, Angels and more. How could you not believe in a higher power with this much beauty and power surrounding you?
In Kathmandu the poverty is so blatant and obvious, it is everywhere... along with the smog, pollution, and blaring sounds of car horns. People spoke of literacy rates, income levels, population growth and more, all that paint a very bleak picture of a "third world country". It was depressing, first world guilt kicked in with a righteous sense of "I should do something to help"; but then I come to the mountains, into the valleys and see that there is so much more to this thing called life. How arrogant it is to assume that in bringing first world technologies would mean improving the lives of these people. Yes, most people these days dream of iPhones and fancy cars. America is still widely considered the land of opportunity. Education and opportunity should never be slighted. Progress is progress, and I am in no way saying that poverty should be looked upon as something special, but in this country it came obvious that there was something much more that we, as westerners, often miss. It had me thinking: does it matter the capacity of your life when you die, or even the way that you die? Or is it the quality of Soul that you maintain throughout the life/death process? I guess this is what we would consider integrity and dignity in their truest, most soulful sense. I've seen this in many countries throughout the world, typically those we consider third world. The people often possess something that we as a whole don't, it's like the more we gain in privilege, money, technology the greater we lose in community, spirituality and compassion. Despite the poverty and the general "lack" it was incredibly apparent that the average Nepali had so much more. This is where I am reminded of what abundance truly means. Abundance isn't gauged by money in the bank and assets, it is gauged by an ability to find joy and love and in general thrive in your current life situation. Based upon this definition, there was certainly no lack of abundance here. When your life is no longer defined by what you have, and what you want to have it becomes much easier to return to the present moment and in that present moment you find peace. The result of this peace was a magnitude of gentility and joy. I don't actually recall once seeing anger, sarcasm, cursing or in general meanness. Not only was I surrounded by some of the most magnificent natural surroundings in the world, but I was also surrounded by some of the most magnificent people. In sitting at a table, surrounded by golden Marigolds, prayer wheels and flags, mountains with tops that disappeared into the clouds and a thundering river flowing below me my thoughts became still: Don't question, just be. Life becomes more vibrant in the stillness and silence. There is power in peace.
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11/10/2014 0 Comments Keeping the Faith in KathmanduFor previously mentioned reasons I entered into this trip with a very open mind about how things should go. I had a nagging gut sense that things would not pan out quite as planned, so I should stay open and watch for helpful signs. The first two days went as normal, bustling all over the city seeing various religious and historic sites. This isn't quite how I travel and it was a bit tiring so I would frequently take time to wander the streets of Thamel, where we were staying, making friends with strangers and in general recharge myself. It was in one of these situations that I found myself wander into a jewelry shop and meeting Mossin, a jewelry dealer but also crystal healer. We sparked a wonderful conversation about our work and how we came to discover them. It dawned on me mid-conversation that this was a sign, crystal healing is powerful work and it was time I received some healing work instead of always giving.
A side note on receiving: I suck at it. I have been told this for a very long time, I need to learn to open up, receive that is all around me. This is possibly my greatest imbalance, having no problem doing things for others but being very stubborn when it comes to being given assistance freely. I knew that this was something to be worked on and saw meeting Mossin as an opportunity to open up and receive. I was supposed to fly the next day for the mountains to start the trek, so I said that when I returned I would stop into the shop and see him again, maybe if time permitted we would trade our work. The next day came and we made our way to the airport, though the weather wasn't promising. Our flight was delayed for mechanical reasons, not a very big surprise. As we waited the rain slowly picked up and the weather worsened, but we were told that Lukla airport was fine, and that was all that mattered. So we stayed optimistic and sure enough eventually boarded the plane, yay! We had an incredibly smooth ride, considering the size of the plane and the stormy weather. We made it within minutes of the Lukla airport when the flight attendant told us that the landing strip was too wet and we had to turn around. My first thought: find Mossin and have the healing work done. There was a sense that I wouldn't be in the condition I needed to be for the trip without some healing work first, kinda like I needed to be primed for the amazing experience I was going to have, and if I wasn't then the trip wouldn't quite do me the justice I needed. So when we returned to Kathmandu I did just that and it was perfect, like many alternative healing modalities I felt myself relaxing and opening up to all the positive energies I was being surrounded by. Early in the following morning I was awakened by a loud clapping and crackling of lightening. As I jolted awake a voice came in that said, "this is you, cracking open to receive all there is available to you." Perfect. I am ready. A few hours later we all woke for our second attempt to fly out, though today was worse than yesterday. Going through the same motions as the previous day we went to the airport and began checking in. Hannah left to use the bathroom and some time had passed before Deven (our wonderful guide) came to get Corey (Hannah's husband) to let him know that she had fallen into some glass and had been cut. It definitely didn't sink in what "cut" had meant, but we quickly found her in the first aid room, leg lifted with a serious gash through her calf. After a whirlwind trip to the hospital- it's hard for an ambulance to speed when it is constantly dodging cars and potholes- and quite a bit of time while she got stitched up it became apparent that she and Corey would be going home. What was I to do? I knew I could continue on, but I didn't know how. Would I be alone, with Brett, or added into another group? Was it wise to continue on with only half the group? Luckily I had some wonderful support in the US who happened to still be awake at 1 am EST. I received the reminder I needed that I needed to go with the flow that the universe presented to me, I needed to remain open to alternative plans and most importantly I needed to receive all that was intended for me. Brett and I agreed that we would continue on with Deven and we would amend the itinerary to our current situation. It was a little odd, especially since I had know both Brett and Deven for only about 3 days, but everything felt right. Would I give it all up because of some sudden changes and discomfort, or would I keep faith and trust that all would be exactly as I needed it to be so long as I don't put up a fight? So this is how four became two, and I was placed on a trek that would forever change my life. 11/7/2014 0 Comments Thoughts of a Traveling SoulPeople know that I can be random... I actually like to call it "following my Soul," but some times it takes quite a bit of explaining to connect all of the dots to others that in my mind just seem to magically appear. Despite the fact that on the surface most of what I do seems very spur of the moment, it is actually all very well calculated and planned. I always know why I am doing something, and how it will help me progress in life. The catch is that I watch, observe, think, feel and take it all in but I don't typically share any of this with anyone until my mind is made up, and at that point there is absolutely no going back. So when things appear to come up out of the blue for me, in actuality they've been stirring my pot for quite some time.
But this was random. About two months ago I received an email from an acquaintance whom I had only met once but had a very lovely feeling about- and for someone who trusts their gut, "lovely feelings" are always easy justifications. The email was quite simple, something along the lines of "Random thought, my husband's expedition company is going to Nepal for 26 days to trek and climb, I just decided to go, do you want to join?" That was about the extent of the details- no dates, itinerary, price, anything. I read this and my head swelled with the same sensation as a migraine, but it felt like a migraine of adrenaline, joy and excitement. Gut instinct: this is exactly what I need. I read this about 30 minutes before I went to bed and I was buzzed, very aware that this was ridiculous no idea whether or not it was possible or how I would make it happen but I felt more thrilled than I had in months... I travel, it is who I am. For the last two years I have forsaken my traveling because I felt like I needed to be firmly rooted in one place to work for my business. It was like having a baby, I knew that after a few years I could get back into it, but until the right time I needed to commit my time, energy, and finances to my work. I believe the appropriate word is "responsible." It sucked the life out of me and I didn't even realize it. I thought maybe my travel is frivolous, as amazing as it always was it wasn't actually necessary. I thought mini vacations would satisfy my need for adventure and sunshine. I could never have been more wrong. It was like my love of life was slowly being sucked out of me and I didn't even realize it until this opportunity grazed me. It was only once I began traveling again that I realized how important travel is not only for me but for my work. It gives me the perfect platform to show people all the world has to offer, as well as all the amazing things they are capable of. It's not a guilty pleasure, it's an experience to help one evolve to a whole new level of living. So slowly over the next few days I gathered more information and went through many waves of excitement and total overwhelm. As I mentioned, I am very well calculated and although the sum total was that I absolutely had to go, nothing else quite added up. It made me uncomfortable and nervous when I spent more than a minute thinking about it, but that first minute before discomfort was of total ecstasy. Most importantly I was surrounded people who would take no for an answer, no matter what happened I must go. For them and all they did I am infinitely grateful. In one very quick month I now had to prepare all of my work for a month of absence, buy gear and get organized and attend three weddings (in this different states). Hindsight, part of me is grateful for all the stress and chaos, it gave me little time to think of what I was about to embark upon which only served to heighten my amazement and appreciation when I landed in Kathmandu. What really set in to unnerve me was the fact that as a result of the randomness of the trip, I had no idea why I was going. Again, the calculations set in and so did the heartburn and anxiety. There has always been a purpose for going to the places that I have been do, but for this one I was just jumping on to someone else's trip because it was an opportunity not to be missed. I knew that a big part of these experience was in whether or not I would say yes... the universe just gifted me all I could possibly need, am I going to take it or leave it? "Don't think, just do," went through my head on a near hourly basis those weeks. I knew I needed to go, and it was hard to remember that that needed to be enough. Being me, and doing what I do, I don't take things for granted and I believe there is a reason behind most of what happens in life. I knew there was a reason for me going on this trip, I had a feeling it was really big, but I had no idea what. That tortured me, there was no meditating away from the small child inside me who is entirely impatient and must always know the details. I was excited and terrified... what would happen? What is the lesson I need to learn that may change me forever? Everyone kept telling me to relax and just have fun, but it wasn't happening, my anxiety only worsened. Then I arrived, and like riding a bike all the sensations necessary for easy joyful travel in a third world country kicked back in and I suddenly resumed my place in the world as a Traveling Soul, viewing every moment, every meal, every stranger as a new opportunity for untold amazement. I couldn't handle the amount of gratitude I felt for everyone who pushed me onto the plane, for everyone I was surrounded by in this new land, and finally for myself, for trusting that as hard as it may be, sometimes you don't need an answer sometimes you just need to go. |
Chelsea M LathamWhen I was a kid my mom would occasionally refer to me as a Reverend, because I had the need to speak so passionately about just about everything. Little did she know that some day I would build a business upon sharing the wisdom that I am so passionate about. So here you go, here are some bits and bobs of thoughts strung together for your enjoyment. Archives
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