Be Present, Be in the Moment

This is an expert from a community member who shared this reflection as an individual goal. She works for a hospital in the United States and part of their goal setting exercises is to dive deeper into a topic of interest on a service they provide. She offered a more in depth reflection on ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) post a visit to Amaroo.

Some of you have gotten to know me over the years and been privy to some aspects of my life.  My daughter was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that she was told is incurable about five years ago.  The doctors in New York put her through extensive testing and the solution was medication and rest.  She was told she would be on medication for the rest of her life and a very active (risky) life style was not recommended. Mountain biking, trekking through the Amazon, even flying wasn’t in her future.  It was a dark time for her, at least I assume it was since she didn’t talk about it and always said she was good.  The forever caretaker, in the family dynamics.  She continued to excel in her personal and work life, and started taking spiritual classes, got Reiki and Yoga certified and practiced daily meditation.  She stopped taking all medications about three years ago and continued to live life with one small exception – she found her inner child and took her with.  She has always traveled the world and conquered her fears, but there was a presence that drew her to Ecuador to do healing ceremonies and get in touch with self.  She and her husband were married deep in the Amazon by a tribe that has 700 indigenous people left to carry on the culture, plant medicine, natural healing, and the life blood of humanity.  Many of the tribes customs would not be accepted here or would be considered primitive, but these people have survived in the Amazon with very little other than faith, love, family and the earth.  The tribe they recently visited was 9 hours away by car and another 3 hours by canoe, I didn’t ask how long the hike was to get to the village.  While they were traveling by boat, there was a baby Pygmy Marmoset (Monkey) that had lost its mother to the river.  They rescued the little one and the villagers immediately cared for him.  In fact, one of the nursing mothers breast fed the little guy as he was only a few weeks old and you could hold him in the palm of your hand.  The monkey clung to a little boy no older than 4 or 5 holding his arm for comfort and warmth.  There was a celebration going on and many of the tribes gathered and the stimulation was just to much for such a young baby and he didn’t make it.  But there is truth in it takes a village . . . the men rescued the monkey, the women breast fed the monkey and the children cared for him.  For those few days after losing his mom, the baby was able to be present and live life even for such a short time because the alternative was death.

My daughter has been living her best life for a while now, and she convinced me that being spontaneous is the way to go, so with three days to prepare…just enough time to hydrate, pack, and a great supervisor I found myself in Ecuador for an amazing four days.  I heard, “Mom, be present” a few times and a reminder of all the fears I conquered in such a short time.  I flew into Quito (3 million population and 9,350 ft above sea level), we drove another hour into the Andes Mountains home of many active volcanoes and spent the night soaking at a Spa with the water coming directly from the active volcanoes.  We then made the five hour drive to Mindo, Ecuador (population 3k and 4,100 ft above sea level) in the Cloud Forest.  Don’t let Mindo fool you, it has a multitude of activities to offer.  There’s waterfall hikes, ziplining, river rafting, a chair lift that takes you over the Cloud Forest Canopy from one mountain range to another dangling high above the trees (it’s a good 20 minute ride up and that doesn’t include the time spent suspended at the highest point stopped for a breathtaking view of the Cloud Forest), birdwatching, tours to learn how to make chocolate and coffee and a Butterfly Pavillion.  Mindo is very friendly and active, and so many dogs.  Truly any man’s best friend there!  The food is wonderful and the weather is a balmy 70 -75 degrees all year round with 60 – 80% humidity.  The only thing missing is a gas station, you have to travel 20 minutes outside Mindo for gas.  The road from Quito to Mindo has more hairpin turns than straight road, and is only a two lane with lots of slow moving trucks.  It was the dry season so I didn’t have to face the fear of mudslides and trees across the road.  LOL. It is not uncommon to pass three or more vehicles at a time with a car coming at you.  It’s funny how quickly you adapt to change when you have to!

She and her husband purchased a retreat about three miles outside of Mindo where I was able to relax and meditate at will.  I had my own room about 200 feet from the main house where I woke the first morning to a black hummingbird at my window who would not leave until I got up.  I also had a spider who was fascinated with my luggage and moved like the speed of light whenever I got close.  We had a mutual understanding….mi casa es su casa or suitcase in my case.  I had a few other visitors as well, but in my case….I guess I was the visitor, so thank you for allowing me space in your residence.  The mornings were spent watching the hummingbirds get high on sugar water and fly into the window or the house, and at least 15 other species of birds eat bananas.  You literally can watch the vines grow and listen to the bamboo moan.  They have guava, lemons, limes, bananas, and soon Avacados.  If you listen you can hear the river from the porch and if you walk about 50 feet and head down a zigzag of about 80 steps you will be at the river.  The water is clear and cold and so refreshing, and if you are brave enough you can wade out to the middle and enjoy very large rocks in the middle of the river.  That’s for next time!  The river has its own species of birds, and vegetation.

I share this story with you as a reminder to be present and live life.  There was no television, and internet and phone calls were not important.  Facing fears and being one with nature was the focus.  We laughed and we cried and yes, I had to reprogram myself many times to be present and stop worrying about the trip back to the airport.  Most important, I had to forgive myself and my parents and allow my child to forgive me!  You see, Amaroo Sanctuary is manifesting your Oasis and bringing a safe, loving environment to those in need of a safe space.  

I encourage everyone to at least skim the ACE’s, and evaluate and take something away from the information.  I’m not proud that my daughters would score more than a zero, and truth be told, my score was higher than I imagined and it explains a lot of who I am and why I am the way I am.  I am so blessed to have two strong women that I call daughters and grateful to have the opportunity to learn from them and help forge ahead through this life.  I started a daily meditation practice a year ago and it has been life changing.  I provided the prelude for clarification that my daughter’s autoimmune disease had much to do with ACE’s and that it is true that they can cause health issues in adulthood.  I also believe if we go back to our roots, to nature, to Mother Earth for our needs, we can limit the ACE’s and associated medical problems that attach to us as disease.  Be present, be in the moment and live your best life as my daughter and Anna (YouTube) have told in their stories.  My daughter told me when I was in Ecuador with her that she had gone to the doctor and had blood work done and there is no sign of the autoimmune disease that the doctors told her were incurable.  She is living her best life in New York City, traveling all over the world and has a special place in Ecuador called Amaroo where she spends part of her time.  It’s a safe haven for people to get in touch with their inner child and deal with childhood traumas without judgement and experience life as Mother Earth intended.

I hope you enjoy the pictures of Amaroo and welcome to Mindo, Ecuador!