1. Before coming to Bali I had a vision, that helped me connect to things I love as I was drowning in disconnection on my position as a diplomat. Because of many things, but mostly the people I was working with had different and conflicting values to my own that included abusing the resources, nepotism, mobbing and free riding. My values were improvement of processes, helping others, growth, serving others. I felt like an oddball.
2. I learned when we have a vision that we can connect to emotionally, it will come to existence. However strange or impossible others may think it is…One of the things I asked myself while tolling away in the Embassy is what would you love to do and what would make you happy? I sad working on art and environment. Unheard of!
3. I learned anything I want will come to me with the least effort, if I can imagine it, connect with the vision and feel good about it. Well, as soon as I moved to Bali 6 years ago I went to networking event where a lady was looking for somebody to help her with her campaign for reinstalling coral reefs with art. I got the job. Did a great job and called it Art for Oceans.
4. I learned there are huge benefits from spending more time by myself. As I moved to this incredible island, I had yet to make friends. Even though it was painful to be separated from friends I knew and loved, I learned how amazing it is to become friends with self.
It’s so amazing get to know oneself, all over again. To read, learn, explore, write, sing, dance, create…and practice self-care. I was at times surviving by getting pleasure from food, but hey, if there are not enough pleasure in our lives, we have to invent one.
5. I learned also, it is important to balance time spent by oneself and with friends, as we connect, laugh, socialize and learn about ourselves and the world around us while enjoying good times.
Beware of becoming too isolated, spending too much time by oneself can be painful too :). Done it too.
6. I learned that patience is gold. Because I wasn’t patient and wanted everything immediately on so many occasions – I wanted my company to grow, I wanted to have a better living situation, more friends…I wanted Balinese to do things like Europeans…explain directions, answer emails and work during working hours. But it’s not like that on Bali. They don’t rush, they enjoy, laugh and prey.
Taught me life has perfect timing. And there is time for everything.
7. I learned about my own boundaries. Listening to self is very important – sometimes I would get involved in volunteering projects and be on the verge of burning out- because I wanted to feel accepted and valuable by others, because I wanted to see things through.
Those were good times, met a lot of amazing ladies from all over the world, learned about life and solidarity. I also learned that I am a professional and that women join those organizations sometimes because they do not want to me home alone while husband is working. So they may not have the strength to make some tough decision and I felt it wasn’t for me anymore.
I learned it is OK to resign, even though you may distance yourself from couple of friends.
8. I learned some amazing people will stick with you when it’s the hardest. And oh boy those are true gems!! Keep those close to your heart :).
9. I learned I can achieve anything I put my mind to. So may as well SET high standards :).
Sometimes, when we do not achieve what we wanted, however disappointing it is at times, life is pushing us in a better direction.
10. I learned to accept my journey after tons of self-judgement, why am I not a better entrepreneur, achieving higher results…why is it not the way I want it to be…
I learned to love and accept myself even though I am in the process…even though I haven’t achieved all my goals yet…
11. I learned that feeling sad, depressed, lonely is OK and that those are just feeling that shall pass.
There is a reason why we feel them, as there are messages within, listen.
I realized I am not my feelings and thoughts and that they need to be released and processed otherwise they create noise in my energy system. I carry them with me until I process them.
12. I learned life is there for me, even when it’s seems nothing is working out. There is nothing to be afraid of. Life is always working out for me, and it’s so much easier if I don’t spend time dreading the end of the universe 🙂
13. I learned some people are not worth my time. As well, I learned some people are worth extra effort and misunderstandings.
14. I learned some relationships have an expiration date. Some people are here to help us learn, to share time together for a short period of time, and that is sometimes painful but sometimes it’s just the way it’s supposed to be. And thanks God.
15. I learned old friends are gold – because they know me for 20 years, they know my strengths, weaknesses and still love me and support me. New friends are silver, and I love every bit of that shiny metal too.
16. I learned to release outdated family patterns of victim mindset, complaining. Because those are just avoidance patterns. We are creating our life all the time, we can choose whether it conscious or unconscious.
18. I learned self-care rituals are great for energy boosting and creating solid emotional home for myself.
19. I learned adopting positive habits needs intention and slow, step by step process.
20. I learned listening to my inner voice, passion and purpose was the most rewarding and the most difficult thing to do in this life. I want to share the process.