Gratitude

I am sitting at a breakfast cafe in Mexico enjoying my last day of warm weather before heading back to a 6 degree snow covered landscape in Minnesota. I have been divinely inspired this morning to create the outline for my New Year program.

Last night, I had an amazing experience with a Mayan Shaman. It is a rebirthing ceremony called Temazcal. The ceremony is held in a sweat lodge with Shaman leading us through the four doors of the East, West, North, and South. This ceremony is not new to me, but the complete willingness to surrender all that I know and all that I am capable of being was new. We were asked to state our intention at the beginning of the ceremony. This is always such a vulnerable moment to share something so personal with not only the others in the group, but with the healer as well. My intention for the sacred ceremony was to drop the armor and stop keeping the world at arms length. I simply stated “I am opening my heart and releasing fear.”

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation. ~ Brian Tracy

After two and a half hours of being guided, singing, drumming, and moving my body to a visceral rhythm that only my soul understood, the Shaman asked each of us in the group to share what we are grateful for. I was so in gratitude for the Shaman’s insight, my own ability to surrender, and to the fact that that there was a reason that the participants were all together that very time in that very place. The Shaman left me with the words that “Joy is fierce warrior passion, and that the essence of Woman is nurturing, gentle, and creative. To use my intuition and creativity to help others find and express their own joy. Continue to be peace and to guide others with gentle steadiness.”

Three and a half years ago on the day I left corporate America to live on purpose, a butterfly landed on my foot. A promise of the change that was to come. I had a lot of shadows to face and many blocks to release. Today at my sidewalk seat, I saw the most brilliant blue butterfly float by on the breeze, shimmering and free. Interestingly, it is the first butterfly I have seen since arriving 7 days ago. A true message.

What messages do you receive that tell you when you are on the right path?

Just to forewarn you, this post is considerably longer than my normal m.o. However, I had a life course changing experience and felt it was necessary to not leave anything out. So, grab a cuppa, settle in and enjoy!

Five and a half years ago, I had the pleasure of participating in a Temazcal rebirthing ceremony with a Mayan Shaman. Knowing I would be soon returning to the Riveria Maya in Mexico, I set an intention that I wanted to have another Temazcal ceremony. When I arrived at my first destination, I was told there was not a ceremony the week I was to be in Mexico, but that a resort down the beach offered the ritual. After a beautiful walk down the beach, the time that the resort had the ceremony available conflicted with the time I would be leading a yoga class. I certainly couldn’t miss my debut as an International Yoga Teacher!

I left the beach with the intention that I would find a ceremony in downtown where I would be staying for a few days. I stopped in a shop that sold beautiful Milagros, Copal ceremonial incense, and ritual herbs. The shop owner was busy talking with a customer in Spanish, however, I felt the inexplicable need to ask her about Temazcal. I patiently waited in front of the shop until she was finished with her customer and proceeded in very poor English to inquire. She referred me to a resort back on the beach called Papaya Playa Proyect. I looked them up online when I was back at my hotel and sent an email to the resort.

I was very excited to hear back bright and early the next morning that they were holding the ceremony that very night and made my reservation. I had wanted to take the local bus – ‘Colectivo,’ but was not able to got that direction. So I grabbed a taxi and was on my way.

Interesting that the weather that day was down pouring and the sea was churning. Not so much in an angry way, but a very determined way. I spent some time on the beach enjoying the fresh smell of rain in the air and the salt water at my feet prior to checking in.

When I did check in, the woman at the desk said, “You must be Amy! Welcome, darling!” She had amazing energy. It turns out she was the wife of the Shaman. She told me that there would be 7 others in the group and a delightful young lady and her mother from the Dominican Republic. She certainly caught my attention because I will be teaching in the Dominican in February! In the reception area, were all introducing ourselves and woman from the Dominican said she has been currently living in Belize.

Belize — I couldn’t believe my ears! Last winter during one of our many snowstorms I got a clear vision that I would only have two more winters in MN. Up until then I had never considered that living anywhere but MN could actually be a reality. Over the next few months, I kept seeing all things Belize. I have never been to Belize, but there it was everywhere I looked, pictures, articles, mentioned by others.

At this point, the Universe had my full undivided attention.She asked me what style of yoga I taught. Turns out she also teaches yoga, does Reiki and Thai Massage. We began talking more and she has a friend in Belize who she wants to connect me with who has a studio and is looking for guest teachers. INCREDIBLE! But wait, there is more!!!!!

She was told by an intuitive that she is to become a life coach to help others. Very interesting that I was in Mexico because I was at a retreat with MY Yoga Life Coach Teacher!!!! My teacher happens to be holding a training in March in Bali that I think my new friend will enjoy!

I told my beautiful new friend about the vision I had while riding bike in Tulum about opening a retreat center somewhere near the Caribbean water somewhere in the Mayan Riveria or Belize. Would you believe, she has the same dream to open a center. I told here I wanted to live here 6 months in season and back home 6 months. Her response, “We need to talk.”

She offered me a ride back to my hotel which at 9pm, I graciously accepted. During the ride, I told her how several months ago I began to get messages in regards to studying with a shaman. Not just any shaman but a Mayan Shaman. She told me that she had been speaking with the Shaman who led our ceremony about studying with him. He would be in contact with her and would welcome her back in December for studies. She told me we should do it together. May as well leave my bags packed. Looks like I am coming back in a few weeks!

As I sat down to write this blog post, my new friend just drove by and pulled to the curb to say hi on her way out of town without knowing I would be here at this cafe. Sometimes the way the Universe has to align so many things brings tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart. I am just awestruck and unbelievably grateful.

When you are living in line with your purpose and serving others in the way your gifts are meant to, life magically unfolds. What expectations or rigid mindsets have you released that opened up magical experiences for you? I can’t wait to hear your life changing moments!
Peace and Love!

Butterfly

Synchronicities