Happy Easter

Peace and serenity should be an essential part of everyday life, however often they aren’t. Sometimes external circumstances create imbalance, anxiety and stress, other times it depends only on us being able to find the balance necessary to make our days bright, full of smiles and joy for life. It is not necessary to be serene, often the secret of happiness is in giving to others. We give love, tranquillity, peace, without asking for anything in exchange: you will see that suddenly our gifts are returned with equal intensity. And then we finally find joy to live. My wishes for a peaceful Easter.

The desert teaches: Self- Knowledge

Self-knowledge is essential to live balanced and with serenity, but sometimes the path is difficult, painful. Each of us is made of two entities that think and act in ways that often oppose each other. The part we know best is that which appears, which we use with others to live everyday, what makes us choose the safer road, which gives us certainty, but which often suffocates our emotions.

The second part, that we keep hidden, urges us to dare to try new ideas, invites us to explore to understand, to try unfamiliar experiences, to pursue other paths. The latter is more challenging, makes us suffer, forces us to fight, often disrupts our habits, but helps us understand who we really are and where we want to go, it makes us the protagonist in our existence.

The desert has taught me that life is precious, to be experience fully, without accepting compromises, conditions, to take with joy all that it gives us. From it I learned to listen to my heart, to follow my dreams often against everything and everyone: it made me unique. This is the great charm of life: to know who we are and live each moment with passion and love.

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.