ecosystems within

Past few weeks have been a journey. Out of my comfort zone mostly, out of the usual crazy schedule to an even more timed existance. I received an invitation to speak at a Forum “Culture + Ecology” and I walked into my fear. It was quite an intense experience with a lot of kind support from my loved ones. Sometimes small challenges can really fill up ones existance. I do believe it is important to leave your comfort zone once in a while and I suppose that happens to me more than I dare to admit sometimes - teaching was one of those things. Creating massive events - another. Supporting people running from the war - checks that box too.

But this time - public speaking. It took me a good month to organize my thoughts. To shoot and edit and subtitle a video that was a part of my presentaiton. It was all at the same time as I was teaching, working other jobs and putting together a publication to send to the printing house that launches tomorrow.

It’s a lot. And it was fun. And now I need a moment to reflect.

I think the biggest lesson I have learned was not only that it’s healthy to walk into your fear once in a while but to also do it with grace and with the trust of people surrounding you. The fragility of being vulnerable, the droplets that create a wave that helps you swim through that fear.

Few weeks before I heard a friend speak at an event and she was magnificent and as one of the audience members came to speak to her and asked how does she manage the fear, she responded with the most simple and beautiful thing - I try to imagine that everyone is wishing me well and wants me to succeed. I thought it was brilliant. I took it with me from that event for sure.

And now reflecting on my experience yesterday, I do clearly understand that it’s always the grace and the preparation that matters the most when it comes to embacing the new ecosystems and your being within.

*all photography by Rytis Šeškaitis/Lunatikai