The Mastery of Love: A Book Suggestion

Helen lent me this wonderful book entitled,  “The Mastery of Love” by don Miguel Ruiz, a nagual (shaman) of the Toltec tradition.

I found it to be rather enlightening, but simple at the same time.  Essentially, the secret to love is deep within us, in our cells, our molecules.  The key to loving another is to love yourself first.  Once you love yourself, you will be free to love others unconditionally – meaning that there will be no “if’s” to your love.  You will be able to love infinitely and abundantly. 

Also, when you love yourself truly, you can let go of all the negative feelings that are usually present in “relationships.”  With self-love, you will be able to shed poisonous feelings stemmed from insecurity and fear such as jealousy and anger.  You realize that the actions of others are not personal, but are motivated by their own problems.

So the key is self-love.  Can you honestly expect someone to love you if you don’t love yourself?  You are all you’ve got, so love yourself, open up and share your love with the world, and then when others fall in love with you, well, that’s just magical. 

Encargados del Futuro!

We had our annual Youth IT Conference last week.  Each Volunteer brought one or two jovenes to the conference, which consisted of three days of computer classes, life planning classes, and team building activities.  I brought two jovenes and at first, I wasn't sure if they were going to enjoy the conference.  They were a little shy and hung out with each other, but eventually they opened up and had a blast.

I co-taught a couple computer classes (Windows Movie Maker and bloggins) and participated in some of the activities (a digital scavenger hunt and superlatives).  We all worked together to put on a great conference.  I am proud to work with such a cohesive, hardworking group of Volunteers.

What amazed me most about the conference was how grateful the youth were for the opportunity.  In the U.S. we travel a lot, we go to several events in high school, but that's not always the case here.  Most people stay within their community and rarely get the opportunity to attend an inspirational event.

During the conference, we had a table with envelopes - "mailboxes" essentially.  If someone inspired you, if you admired someone, you could write a note to that person and leave it in their mailbox.  The young lady I brought to the conference wrote me three separate notes thanking me.  She was so excited after the conference and so very grateful.

At the end of the conference, the youth organized their own “superlatives” for outstanding Volunteers.  They nominated me for nicest and best smile.  I didn’t even realize they noticed me…. It was a wonderful feeling to know that we were able to organize something that motivated the youth.

Some pics from the conference... (Photo creds: Lindsey and Roberto)

Three Women, Three Lessons

These past few weeks since Sasha left have been a journey, and I think I’ve come out of this whole thing all the more richer. I’ve learned that I can be truly happy, truly myself without him, and I’ve never been so free to be myself. Finally.

Three wonderful ladies have been taking care of me these past 3 weeks, and I’m so very grateful. With each one of them, I’ve shared something special, and I think now I’m more ME than I’ve ever been. I don’t think I would have had such special experiences if Sasha and I hadn’t broken up, and now I’m learning that this was meant to be. My time is now.

I’ve visited three different campos. I’ve learned different lessons along this journey, but most importantly, I’ve seen true beauty.

During my time with Stacie, I learned how to reconcile with myself. I learned that this wasn’t my fault, and that we just aren’t right for each other. My favorite memory was running around the community lake at sunset. Her dogs followed us. They were so carefree, frolicking around, swimming, rolling in the grass. I felt free.

My visit with Helen was my time for building strength. Her town is so quaint, so tranquil, set in the hills of the Cibao region. She took me on a hike up this massive hill, which is usually a once-a-year spiritual event for her community. I gathered all my strength and conquered the hill. At the top, I could see the town all around me, the hills, the grazing cattle. It was beautiful. I learned I was strong enough to appreciate it.

Last weekend, I went to visit Stephanie in her pueblo in Samaná, and it was there where I found some peace. The experience was just breathtaking. We rode in the back of a truck through the hills at sunset, the wind blowing our hair… We visited a huge waterfall. I laid on my back in the lagoon to admire it, and my breath was just stolen from me. I couldn’t believe how beautiful it all was. Later that afternoon, we went to a deserted beach and napped. I just admired the calm sea, the pale orange clouds moving along the horizon.

Each of these experiences with each of these strong, unique women has helped me on my journey to heal my heart. With each, I’ve connected, had tremendous conversations and learned something new about myself.

I’m just letting it all go. Appreciating the good memories I had with him, and letting them fly away. They were my other life. My past life. But now I’m new and beginning again. Great things will happen. They are my destiny, and I’m ready to walk towards them.


--For Stephanie, Helen, and Stacie – a million thanks and lots of love.

--And for Sasha, I will always love you.

With a little piece of a Dominican ribbon from a basketball court innauguration

(Photo credit: Stacie)

With Stephanie's dog, Fermina

(photo credit: Helen)

Happiness is...

Running through the Dominican countryside, dogs trailing behind, with a good friend at sunset, listening to powerful music, and breathing it all in...