Sunday was suchhhhh a beautiful day and we had a totally different turn out from our normal beach cleanups which was actually so special. I asked Karen if she would be open to me sharing her experience of the hike and the reflection and I was so moved by what she had to say that I created this post that I thought I would share with you! Here is the translation for ya (although I encourage you to read it in English and Spanish and work that mind a little bit!)

On the hike everyone carried a rock. Before heading back, we paused for reflection together…

Andrea lead the reflection & people shared honestly. One person talked about being really hard on themselves and always feeling like they could have done more. Others shared about anxiety about the future feeling like they need to have everything figured out. One chose to trust that things will work out. Another chose to focus on enjoying the present instead of worrying about what’s next.

Another shared that they was carrying the belief “I’m not enough.” They chose to release that. When we got back to the table, someone noticed a sticker that said “Soy suficiente” and handed it to them. That moment felt really special.

Something that stood out to me: whenever I was noticing the beauty around us or connecting in conversation, I completely forgot I was holding a rock. When we’re present and connected, the weight doesn’t feel the same.  When we took a photo with the rocks in our open hands, it felt symbolic. We’re all carrying something and when we’re together and open our hands, there’s space to share what we carrying and that is beautiful.

And as for my own reflection…

I stayed at the end of the hike in case anyone showed up late or just wanted to clean in that area. I kept a rock in my pocket, and between a few people who trickled in and others who stayed nearby I had some quiet time to walk and clean on my own.

At one point I found myself looking up toward the hills, wondering where everyone else might be. It was a sweet reminder that connection is possible even when you cannot see it. I knew people were out there. I knew we were all part of something meaningful, even if I was not with them the whole time.

Lately I have been carrying around this rock of wanting reassurance. Wanting to know, wanting to feel sure that I am in the right place and doing the right thing. On Sunday, I realized I could put that rock down. Maybe the reassurance I have been looking for is not the reassurance I need right now. Maybe it is not something I get to hold in my hands…maybe what I get instead is trust.

So I put down the rock of needing to be certain and I picked up trust.

What are you carrying this week? What is the rock your holding that may be taking up space in place of something else? What can you put down? If anyyyyy of this resonates I’d love to hear it.