Invite. People. In.

Where the Wonderous People Draw with Chalk

I wandered today, in the places I’ve passed a thousand times.

Luckily I’d packed my new eyes, new ears even.

Everything was fresh and wild. A familiar feeling found me, a delicious moment of my youth when I lived in Europe and strolled the streets on the Island of Capri. How free I was, dazzled by the exotic smells and sights - perfectly normal smells and surroundings by any account but transformed by my romantic vision of a life I was well living.

Here I was in my lazy home town of now, on an ordinary Tuesday, simply walking to the water after I’d had my hair done. Turns out, it was anything but ordinary, the majesty to be sparked by a sign and a willing mind.

Five Corners is a local cafe that’s haunted and delighted our little beach town since 1950; it’s where time stands still and only cash is accepted.

I knew it was coming up on my right but I thought nothing, particularly of it. I traveled the sidewalk, my soul just settling in to the magic of a free moment to just be … when my toes found the brilliance of pink and blue beneath - turquoise swirls, yellow stars and then words that made me smile. “Hugging Spot”.

In a surprising instant, a warmth spread through me, a softness for people, a hope and delight for what lies beneath humanity, deep within it sometimes, but ever alive and aching to find surface.

I paused to take pictures of this precious place and those who strive every day to return to us the little bits of life that deeply matter. Their garden, the tiny signs that tiny hands crafted and painted and set so carefully. The joy they felt on some sunny day of this unfolding spring, the tingle of anticipation at creating things others couldn’t help but stumble onto, the hope to be seen, love to be felt … all these were mine.

Mission accomplished my anonymous friends.

I traipsed off with a spring in my step and viewed each sight from then to settling into place at Charlie Don’t Surf, seaside pub, like a giddy tourist.

Retreat doesn’t need to draw us miles away to the solace of a cabin (although that’s delicious too); retreat exists right at home, in the every day, along an ordinary sidewalk … well maybe it does require a little chalk.

Find the Hugging Spot right within your heart today, unpack your fresh eyes, invite people to stand in your delight of retreat, and wrap your arms around the wonder of the world, those willing and in need of a splash of colour and love.

… and if you find, you WOULD like to take to adventure, deepening your dive into soul but in a wondrous new place of brilliance and culture, then follow us on the Guatemalan adventure in the weeks to come.

There will be plenty of sparks and hugs in spirit - promise.

https://thesoulfullway.substack.com/p/enroute-to-seeking-chispa-in-guatemala

~ jenni

If you feel this little soulful flow of writing and connection may inspire another kindred on The Way … please feel free to share the tingle and the love.

And for me, the most magical element of writing, is the kindred souls it draws around the fire. I always appreciate your thoughts, questions, subjects you’d love to see emerge here. Reach out any time; I answer every message.