The magic of encounters in our life

There are encounters that change the course of our lives, they change our perception of the world. There are encounters that are the beginning of something truly special.

There are encounters that leave me breathless, like one of the encounters I had recently with a sunrise in Cambridge, where I decided to change my usual path and take a different route, and there I encountered nature in its full splendor. The encounter with a new day.

I've been thinking about what makes my life special, and undoubtedly, it's the encounters?. This week, I received some photos taken by my friend Israel, whom I met in Japan, and each image brought a smile to my face because I remembered that special encounter where I felt like family. Through the photographs, I also rediscovered myself, my curiosity.

What would my life in Cambridge be without those encounters with Ana, where we talk about life, about what's happening to us? What would my body be without that healing and rejuvenating encounter every time I go to Marina for a massage? Do you honor each encounter enough?

On my way to work, I always meet a guy who walks at the same time, and one day I decided to start saying Good morning to him. Now our encounters become more pleasant, even though we have no idea who we are. Sometimes I say Good morning, another day Buongiorno or Buenos días, and he always smiles. That simple encounter connects us to joy without even knowing each other.

A few days ago, I met Laura while I was walking Thomas, and she approached to pet Thomas. We started talking, and she told me she's a yoga teacher. We ended up exchanging Instagram, and that encounter led her to take care of Thomas today while I had to go to London. I feel blessed for those encounters I have daily because they are as expansive as the radiant sun I saw this week.

My encounters with Ken lead me to appreciate the value of personal history in coaches. Quality time with WOJ has always invited me to reprogram my limiting beliefs. My encounters with Catalina push me towards freedom and the fullness of my being.

There are encounters I always dream of, like seeing my sisters, nephews, and my mother—family—or encountering a crystal-clear beach. There are encounters for which I prepare all day because they require a lot of energy and dedication on my part, such as women's circles.

There are encounters that only demand my spontaneity, vulnerability, authenticity, and talent, like the encounter with the computer to write these words.

There are encounters that feel uncomfortable, where I have felt overwhelmed, and I want to run away, where I have not felt safe, and I don't even understand why they happen.

Today, during an encounter with Fabiola, where we were discussing her business idea, and where I decided to fully engage and give my best version, I thought to myself, "This is what I want for myself: encounters to dream, to heal, to laugh, with opportunities for growth, encounters where I can feel confident and be a safe place, where the energy is palpable."

There are encounters that inject excitement into me, like coming home and seeing Thomas run back and forth with the happiness of seeing me, or taking a cold bath to connect with vitality.

There are sacred encounters, like my encounters with the yoga mat or the space to meditate, rest, or walk barefoot by the river.

Today, I invite you to think about the encounters you've had this week. Who have you been in these encounters with people, with nature? What have you given? What have you received? Do you give enough value to the encounters you have? Do you make an effort to meet with the people you love or who are essential to you? Are these encounters real or superficial?

Why do we gather?

We gather to solve problems we can’t solve on our own.

We gather to celebrate, to mourn and to mark transitions.

We gather to make decisions. We gather because we need one another.

We gather to show strength. We gather to honor and acknowledge. We gather to build companies and schools and neighborhoods. We gather to welcome, and we gather to say goodbye.

When we don't examine the deeper assumptions behind why we gather, we forget the possibility of creating something memorable, even transformative.

Priya Parker"

By Naked Woman, Amazonia Arroyo.