I just returned from three relaxing and fun weeks vacation in Mexico. We spent two of those weeks in a magical fishing village, which made me reflect on and appreciate the power of place.
Have you ever visited a place and felt like you were “home”? Whenever I enter this pueblo, any stress I have instantly drops away. I feel relaxed, playful, open to possibility, “in the flow”. There is also a special sense of community in this town where locals and foreigners live peacefully together.
Some years ago, a woman from California started a children’s art and music festival that is still held every year in March. Over time, though her hard work and dedication, she gathered human and material resources and now the festival has grown to include a bricks and mortar community center with a library, computer room, recycling depot, coffee shop and a small retail space. It is a place that offers courses for girls and boys, women and men on everything from entrepreneurship, to environmental education, to sustainable development, The center has a truly welcoming atmosphere and is aptly called Entre Amigos (among friends). People who visit from largely Canada and the US often volunteer time to contribute to projects and help with fundraising.
A sponsorship program has been developed whereby Canadians and Americans (many of whom live there 6 months a year) sponsor promising local Mexican high school students to attend college and university.
Last year we attended a fundraiser for the local hospital where many talented local children performed music, dancing, gymnastics … . It was an animated community event. Every year there is a well-organized music festival in the local plaza (square) with amazing performers from around Mexico and a few from other countries.
What keeps my partner and I coming back to this magical place? It’s a combination of the welcoming and supportive atmosphere, the natural beauty, the strong sense of community and the positive bonds and caring evident among the locals and those who visit for periods of time. It’s also a community where I feel I can contribute and make some sort of positive difference. Plus I get to speak Spanish, and for some reason I have a natural affinity for Latin culture.
I have also experienced the power of place closer to home. When I’m feeling stressed and want to ground and unwind, there is a place by the ocean about 10 minutes from our home that I walk to. When I lay on the rocks and feel the sun on my body, any tension drops away and is absorbed by the rocks. I feel so grateful to live so close to this place of natural beauty.
Have you experienced the power of place? I’d love to hear your experiences and see descriptions of your magical places. Feel free to share those below and to forward this post to others. I also encourage you if you haven’t already, to find a place close to where you live that you can go to relax, reconnect and let your stress melt away.
My first experience of feeling at ‘home’ was travelling to Nova Scotia with my family as a child. Over the years we made many trips there, and as an adult, my husband and I lived there for several years. My father was born there, and the natural friendliness of the residents, the folksy architecture, the smell of the air, all combine to make me feel welcome. I feel my father close to me there. My stress-free, close-to-me place to unwind is at the university here. It’s always clean, fragrant, quiet, and often there is wildlife to add a touch of magic to the park-like setting.
Hi Cynthia, Thanks for sharing two of your “special places”. The magical way you described them made me feel I was there with you. Happy to hear you also have a special place close to where you live. Warmly, Pam
My “at home” places have been camping & hiking in Strathcona park, amid the lakes, mountains views, giant cedar and Douglas fir trees, walking the rugged coast at China Beach and Botanical Beach and anywhere along the Juan de Fuca trail. In Victoria, I find great peace in Abkhazi Gardens, a tiny oasis in the midst of the City and in Mount Douglas park.
Having moved more times in my life than I can count, most of it unplanned, home has often meant photos, paintings and small objects that have meaning for me. As soon as they are around me, home, like a turtle’s shell, has come along with me.
Now, as I prepare to move once again, across the country to Nova Scotia, to be closer to my son, I know that being closer to him after a lomg time apart, will be the most important feeling of “home”.
Pam’s also blog reminds me of the things I will want to seek out to create the feeling of home again. I will be near the ocean, there are hiking trails, and, the historic town and countryside around Annapolis Royal, where I am planning to live, felt like home the first time I visited 4 years ago.
Hi Sharon, Thanks for sharing the intimate details of what being “at home” looks and feels like for you. That’s a great point that certain objects, paintings and photos that have meaning for us also help us feel like we’re “home”, particularly when we move to a new place. Best of luck with your upcoming move and here’s to having your new surroundings feel like home really soon! Warmly, Pam
I had that experience with a small town that I moved to in my 40’s and lived there for a time but had to leave. When I had the chance to go back, it all felt different. It was then I realized that not only had the town changed, but so had I. So now I carry that sense of place inside me. In this way I am always there.
Hi Barb, Thanks for sharing your story. How interesting and special that you carry that sense of place within you! Warmly, Pam
Pam,
Thanks for sharing your magical experience. I have experienced the power of place several times on vacations, one being Newfoundland Canada. Being in the wildness of nature and the warmth of the people there touched my soul and relaxed my spirit. Like you, I also have connected closer to home at the beach. These power places rejuvenate my spirit. Many Blessings, Lisa xx
Hi Lisa, Thanks for sharing your experience with the Power of Place. You are so right Lisa, these power places do rejuvenate us!
Love nature, as the weather warms up I spend most of it on the beach, it is my happy place 🙂
Hi Rachel, Ah, the beach! I love it too! Thanks for sharing your special place. 🙂
Hi Pamela,
I love your description of home. I first felt that sense of home, working with dolphins. And it’s transferred to any place that I’ve had the pleasure of being with them – pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and in my dreams. I now feel home with my husband. The place seems to move around for me, but certain aspects remain.
Hi Krystal, How fascinating to have worked with dolphins! They’re such fun and playful creatures. Happy you connected with the post. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Water, beach and rocks are very powerful for me, a place of serenity for my mind body spirit and soul. I have 2 places I go close to home. One is a few minutes from my home. It has a beautiful park with a beach area, a great place to watch the sunrise. It has brought me so much peace and joy. Nature is amazing. I can really connect with myself and it while I’m there.
Hi Heather Maria,
Thanks for sharing you special places. I SOoo relate! Warmly, Pam