This past winter I began a practice designed to pull the memories of my travel close to my heart where I could hold them forever.
I decided to create “commandments” for each new place I visit. The commandments of these cities that bless me with wonderful memories isn’t really for others. It’s mostly for me, but I thought it would be fun to share them and also design commandments with multiple meanings. So if someone else visits that city, or another city for that manner, they could use the commandments as well.
Let’s imagine them as possible commandments for life, really.
Most of the winter I’ve been creating images of my commandments of each city and posting them to Instagram.
The only thing that has been missing from all the fun of it is that I love to write. I want to write and I want to share my experiences in my writing.
So the vision expands…
I’ve been in Sevilla, Spain for a week participating in a magic mastermind with Kristin Balter. The time has been fulfilling, uplifting, inspiring, and challenging too. The commandments of Sevilla connect all of these pieces with more than an image. Below is an explanation of how to live them out.
THE COMMANDMENTS OF SEVILLA
Tapas for Everyone
Tapas is everywhere in Spain. Often you might not even know what you’re ordering but you know you needn’t worry because if it’s horrible it’s gonna be small and it’s likely that someone at your table will enjoy it. Tapas is meant to be enjoyed fully, in small bites, and shared. Not unlike life right?
Stay Open
Any time you’re in a new place, whether that’s a city or a point in your life it’s important to stay open. It’s not always easy. Sometimes you have an agenda. I need to see the Louvre, the Great Wall, that Seventh Wonder. Sometimes you have an agenda. I need to leave this job, marriage, stick it out, find a new place to live. An agenda is a great thing to have. It’s a plan and plans help us figure out where we want to go. And sometimes where we want to go needs to shift a bit…so stay open and go right to the next commandment.
Believe in Magic
Magic happens when you let go of that agenda and open yourself up to the experience you’re having in the moment. Closed mindedness doesn’t offer magic. Plans aren’t magic. What happens within each breath and moment that is unexpected is magic. It won’t happen unless you believe it’s possible. So keep your plans, but stay open, and believe in magic.You might find yourself flying first class internationally without any explanation at all other than MAGIC.
Shhhh…Enjoy
I love this one. It takes my heart, as one of the mastermind participants, Feather, took my heart. I’ll leave the explanation with this. Sometimes it’s good to Talk. Commiserate. Mastermind. Debate. Prolificate. Converse. Other times you just need to shut up and enjoy what’s happening.
Ask for help
This was a biggie for me. I realized during the process of discovery that I was afraid to ask for help because of a limiting belief I created when I was young. This commandment has actually become my new mantra in life. To shed old beliefs that no longer serve me I’m asking for help as often as I can. I hope if you find yourself lost in Spain you’ll ask for help. More than that I wish for you to be willing to ask for help anytime you feel lost on your journey of life.
Porque’ no?
This commandment is essentially, ‘Say Yes!’ We all need to set boundaries and live in reason but at times spontaneity is required for joy. Some things you must say yes to no matter what. Dance in the rain. Porque’ no? Tell someone you love them. Porque’ no? Sing in the shower. Porque’ no? Write a thank you note. Porque’ no? More cheese. Porque’ no?
Find the Bodyguard (aka: where’s Double G)
This commandment is probably the most specific to my trip. But bear with me. Luc, aka Double G, aka the bodyguard was our most elusive mastermind. We were inevitably shouting out … “where’s G.G.?” cuz he would go off on his own and we’d hafta search to find and bring him back to the group. Even when we walked the city he was often lagging far behind, head up, watching the clouds, or eyes down noticing fallen birds. Luc> Double G> G.G> whatever you wish to call him…in his life work is a bodyguard. I find it silly that we were always searching for the bodyguard. But then when it mattered most he would just be there. Suddenly. Without notice. Where are you seeking support and guidance? When in Spain, look for it to show up without notice. You’ll find it when you least expect it.
Linger a Bit Longer
I left my lovely group to travel back into the city for a day. It was space for me to process the week of intensive training and growth. I rented a cute little airbandb, dropped off my stuff, went off to visit the city alone. I pulled up a chair on a patio near the water and watched people pass me with haste and fervor. There was a tree with beautiful purple blooms right in front of my view on the sidewalk and all but one person passed by without noticing. She was a young girl, about 6 years old and her mother was in a rush. She stopped and jumped up to grab one of the blossoms but couldn’t quite reach it so she kept jumping to get it. Her mom cried back to her and she responded with “uno minuto”. I smiled to myself because I understood that as “I just need a little more time”. Linger a bit longer, whenever you can. Wherever you are.
xx, LVA-