Three years of Blogging; a letter from the author

Hello, readers!

This is a personal letter of reflection, gratitude, and celebration.

Last month, we celebrated the Shanti Universe blog's third birthday. For the author, this marks three years of writing! (or trying to write, at least).

As before, the intention behind this article is to share what is happening behind the scenes, and to share some personal reflections and experiences.

For this article, the 'me' and 'my' and 'I' will appear. But again, I promise that it will be gone when the next article appears, and will hopefully only surface again next year this time.  ;) 

Dissolving labels

The end of this month marks one year since my wife and I have given up our apartment in Germany, and started quite a different lifestyle. My wife, Pia, had to move around to different locations for her studies. I could not always join her, so I pretty much have been living out of a backpack and with my laptop. 

Giving up our own space, privacy, routines, and most possessions, was not so easy. At first, it seemed to be quite unfortunate. Some uncertainties arose. Now, reflecting on the last year, it was actually a big gift.

I had the opportunity to travel to more than 10 countries while meeting old friends and making new ones. I am learning that at any moment, a stranger can turn into a friend or a teacher. Support and kindness come from unexpected hands and hearts.

This experience helps one to dissolve the discriminating labels of 'friend' and 'stranger' and to see everyone as God. Or, to look past the 'external' appearances, and see our own True Nature shining in the hearts of everyone. 

This experience also reminded me not to label a situation as 'fortunate' or 'unfortunate', as we never know how things may turn out.

Letting go

Living kind of like a nomad also brings about the opportunity to detach from one's habits, one's concepts of how things should or should not be, and of course, from one's possessions too.  

Accordingly, we realize that we do not have to cling to things, to stuff. Whatever we need, will come when it is needed, without one needing 'ownership' of it. Let's think about this...

Another thing I observed is; Not knowing where one's next destination will be and when the next journey will be, can bring about a lot of overthinking. However, this is fruitless. One realizes that it is best to settle the mind and let the buzzing thoughts dissolve back into their Silent Source. Then, remain Here. Surrender to Presence.

All of this is an ongoing process of dissolving, letting go, and trusting. 

Responsibility

Another lesson or reminder that kept presenting itself in the last year, is that we are solely responsible for our own peace and happiness. It is easy to blame 'others' for this and that, but it always comes back to ourselves and the peace and happiness we cultivate in our own hearts.

When he or she makes us unhappy or angry, it is just another opportunity to check up and investigate our own Nature. It is another opportunity to work on ourselves. Working on ourselves is the best gift we can give others.

Speaking of responsibility, I also want to highlight the responsibility of at least trying to live a balanced lifestyle. Through experience, I am learning the importance of loving oneself and being kind and compassionate to oneself. There is a difference between indulging in our own pleasures and caring for ourselves. Being patient and kind to ourselves helps us to be patient and kind to 'others' too.

Through experience, I am learning that when we are depleted and exhausted, we cannot serve others, nor can we help ourselves. 

Conclusion

The last year presented many opportunities to learn and grow. Stepping out of the comfort zone is great for learning and growing. Thank you so much to everyone that opened their homes and their hearts to me in the last year. You are very much appreciated.

I am thankful to experience mySelf in so many names, forms, sensations, tastes, and fragrances. The last year has been a great reminder that diversity does not mean separation. 

We are reminded that within Unity, there is variety. Within Permanence, there is change. This may sound contradicting, but it is not.

I am extremely thankful for the kind teachings of the masters who help me to learn and grow. Also, I express endless gratitude to the masters who keep pointing out the Peace and Happiness in our own hearts, and who remind us that we are never separate from Peace. Thanks to the compassion and wisdom of our masters, we can face challenging times with courage and peace, and we keep learning and growing.

So, I look forward to another year of sharing and growing with the Shanti Universe blog, and I thank everyone who has commented, read, and inspired me to write these articles. 

With love and appreciation.

A recent photo, enjoying a fresh breeze over lake Atitlan, Guatemala.

Related articles on this blog:

Two years of blogging, a letter from the author - 18 March, 2022
One year of blogging, a letter from the author - 25 February, 2021
Introduction to this blog and the author - 20 February, 2020