As you may know, I spent the last two months in Greece. You might picture Greek islands and imagine relaxing all day long on the beach. Yes, I did spend a few days doing just that. It was simple, fun, and refreshing, without any of the shiny, extravagant elements often portrayed on social media. Yet, it was deeply fulfilling in its own way.
Furthermore, as someone who has been away from my country and family of origin for the last 19 years, I have come to appreciate the value of spending quality time with lifelong friends and family; it’s far more enriching. Every day, I now cherish the choice to disconnect from manmade worries and fears. Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, immersing myself in the waters of the Mediterranean brings a sense of peace.
Even in places meant for relaxation, like the Greek islands, I had to consciously choose to unplug from the constant bombardment of external stimuli. Whether we like it or not, we live in an era where these stimuli are more overwhelming than ever. Social media platforms explode with images of ‘what life should look like.’ AI is making it even harder to distinguish what is real from what is just another shiny but empty thing. It becomes even harder to listen to our own truth.
There is so much noise today, and the worst is the noise of our internal voices, which compels us to look for external shiny objects to avoid the void we may feel internally. I have definitely fallen for all these shiny objects, made to believe I need them for myself: a luxurious life, lots of money, fame, and external recognition. I do not say any of these are inherently “wrong or bad.” Still, if we are searching for them to fill an internal void lacking self-love, appreciation for who we are, and awe for the beauty and mystery of life, then anything external will be in vain.
I have always experienced life as having too much noise, within and without, and crave spaces where I can let go of any expectation to be in the present moment. So, in my Authentic Movement groups and experiences, I can’t promise you anything shiny. If anything, my trip to Greece, the heartwarming experience in our Feminine Wholeness Retreat, and the time I had to dive within myself and let go of my own addictions while continuing my healing journey have made me realize that the best approach is once again to come back to the authenticity of who I am.
And that is being simple and raw, joyful yet soft, and strong at the same time. It comes with a deep appreciation for life’s beauty and every person’s journey of self-discovery in this everchanging world.
Today, more than ever, being true to ourselves and fostering genuine human connections are crucial values that can lead the world to a better, more peaceful state. To achieve this, it is imperative to have spaces where we can realign with our souls.
My promise to you in any of the Authentic Movement Soul Freedom groups, retreats, workshops, and experiences is to provide a respectful space of presence where you can meet with your soul and listen to the sounds of your own heart.
The truest gift to this world is to be no one else but ourselves!
warmly,
maria
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