The Desert Teaches: Patience

Patience is a word used a lot, but that no one likes. Because being patient often means you hold yourself back, step aside, let other control the situation when you would like to. Patience is waiting for something to happen that we desire, it is accepting to put yourself back in the game when the situation changes and to start from the beginning again, every time. Patience is knowing how to listen to a friend, without looking at the clock that reminds us of our commitments, it is not responding to a provocation, and tolerating when a loved one who speaks sharply. How many times a day do we find ourselves in situations where we have to be patient! And how many times do we find ourselves yearning to find the energy to go ahead!

The desert teaches: to be like the nomads that live there who are accustomed to living with patience as a part of their lifestyle. Even in difficult situations, I never heard any of them sigh, but I always saw a lo of serenity in their eyes and their smile that come spontaneously, at any moment.

Anniversary

Desert Therapy turns one year. It was March 28, 2009 when eight people decided to depart with us for the White Desert and give life to an initiative that has continued over time, my dream that came true in the place that I love so much. They didn’t know each other, but they became great friends, and yesterday evening we had a dinner to commemorate the magical experience we lived together and to celebrate their meeting. This is the great added value to Desert Therapy; outside of the desert continues a journey that began there, walking between the sand and the sky, sleeping under the stars, the great silence only exists there. Often a few heart-felt phrases are sent by email, messages also to the new arrivals who they have not met, but there is a strong desire to share not only a journey but a part of their lives. If the desert wanted to give us friendship, it is our job to preserve it and protect it: it is an act of love that we owe it.

The Desert Teaches: Humility

The desert is a great teacher, for those who know how to listen to it. I like the idea of everyday sharing something I have learned from it, during my journeys.

First of all humility, a gift forgotten almost everywhere, but which is fundamental in the desert. Facing adversity and obstacles with the feeling of vulnerability in front of nature, having the strength to bow one’s head in front of situations which are bigger than us, learning to forgive and ask forgiveness when it is necessary, making the first step towards peace with a person who has unintentionally hurt you. The lessons of the desert not only help us survive there in the sand, but also in everyday life. Being humble is not to be weak, on the contrary, it makes us aware of our strength, and indicates the limits beyond which we should not go.

Learning to wait

Very often the rush governs our day. We would like to do and to have everything, now, and in this way do not realize that waiting is an important step in the path that leads us to achieving our goals. The fast heartbeat before a meeting, the planning of a trip, the desire for a response are all emotions that are lived to the fullest, they are part of the events that fill our lives. We learn therefore to wait, to manage the time that separates us from our desires with serenity, thinking that every minute which passes brings us closer to our goal. In this way also the wait gains value and the memory of those moments, at times intense enough to take your breath, make the encounter with what we desire even better.

After the desert

Here we are at home again after the fourth Desert Therapy. The last of the season in Egypt. We will start again in August, with the Salar de Uyni in Bolivia, to cross again one of my challenges on the salt lake and then in October we will return to the White Desert.

Also this time the group found a great team spirit and happiness filled our days. Everyone forgot their everyday problems and concerns there, amidst the great white pinnacles, and their faces relaxed. The desert created new friendships, gave us great emotion, and remained in the hearts of all, as always.

TO THE DESERT

We are only a few hours away from the departure: the bags are finally ready, after the frenzy that takes place before every trip. Do we have everything? The satellite phone, the new GPS that Garmin sent us, the high quality products that La Roch Posay gave us, the mythic tisane, everything is there, ready to leave with us. As always we are excited and curious to see how it will go. This time, for the Active version of Desert Therapy, for the first time we will not have Lauren, our inexhaustible reserve of smiles and serenity. It is Max’s turn to organize everything, to attend to our travel companions: Angela, Elvira,Carmelo, Mariolina, Luisa, Maddalena, Marisa. His great passion will help. Instead, I will be walking with them, helping them to discover the Desert: slowly, step by step, we will enter into its heart and again discover its marvellous sensations….inchallah!

Emotions

We are two days from the departure of our fourth edition of Desert Therapy, probably the last of this season and inevitably my thoughts drift to one year ago, when I began this new adventure. I never would have imagined I would meet so many wonderful people who have grown to love the desert as much as I do and experience such intense emotions with them. Memories of days spent together in that magical place accompany us, always ready for us and giving us new ways to face everyday life with more serenity. Moments lived freely in the desert fill our minds, and then even on the coldest greyest days, we feel the desire to smile and our heart starts to beat faster with excitement.

Friends

The extreme cold that has covered Italy (and other countries) in these days, more than anything makes me want to go to the desert. Walking with the sun on my skin under the cobalt blue sky is one of the strongest memories this place leaves on those who have experienced it with us. But there is also a desire to revisit friends. Yes, because we have created a relationship beyond the professional aspect, with the Egyptian team that works with us. Beginning with the drivers of our vehicles, who are always happy and accommodating, to our wonderful cook who treats us with his food and smile that are always ready, and finally Sola, the cammelliere who accompanies us with the camels along our journey, the only one that I have met who cuddles and caresses his animals. And then there is the desert, the real great friend who awaits us always, and gives to us new emotions and friends, as it has up till now with all our companions of Desert Therapy.

New Adventure

March 13 we will return for the 4th time to the White Desert with another group for Desert Therapy, and the count down has started again. This time it will be Max and I alone to accompany the seven people who have decided to join this journey. This time it will be the version we call Active, more sporty than the previous in the sense that there will not be Lauren to do yoga and the participants will be asked to help setting up camp. Even if we have just returned, the thought that in 10 days we will return to the desert is as exciting as the first time. The desire for sun and open space is strong. It is really true: when you encounter the desert, it never leaves you.

Surprises

It only takes a little to feel good. Sometimes only a glance, an unexpected smile, a frase that touches all, an unexpected phone call that brings good news. Or a sunny day after so many grey, cold days. And you discover the first buds, the daisies in the meadows that somehow seem to have sprung over night, the birds that chase each other more cheerfully than usually. Colors seem brighter, the outlines of things around us are defined. And then we ask: but how could this happen so quickly? In each of us lies the desire to enjoy the little things in life but often we are buried under a mountain of negative thoughts, accumulated tension of everyday problems that erase any emotion. Then something happens to remind us that we are still capable of simple emotions. And it is a wonderful surprise.

Animal Assassins

The news spread quickly around the world: An orca held for years in a water park in the United States killed its trainer.
Put this way it seems like an accident. But if the dynamics of the report are true, it is clear that this is not the case, and it was the will of the animal to kill the woman. It shows the great intelligence of whales and no doubt that years of captivity have made a mark on its equilibrium. I can not imagine what would happen if I were forces to live imprisoned for the rest of my life, and even though I feel deep sorrow for the terrible death of the woman, I can’t condemn the animal who reacted not out of instinct but with rational thought. Can animals become murderers against men? Certainly, but the responsibility is always due to the later unfortunately.