Holistic Nursing and Wellness Services

Feb 29, Message from Guatemala

February 29, 2008

We’ve been in Guatemala for over 4 weeks now and soon will be preparing to return home. Yes, we are leaving the warmth of Antigua to readjust to the Ontario winter … hopefully almost spring. This is my third trip here. Once again it has been a learning experience for me – learning more about Guatemala, Mayan culture, corruption, poverty, and learning more about me.

Volunteering was different for me this year. Early in my stay here, I spent 4 mornings at Hermano Pedro Hospital for the poor, feeding the children who were not only malnourished but some with severe cerebral palsy and others really missing the constant holding of their mothers. I opened my heart to these little ones but ended up feeling completely drained.

I teach others to pay attention to the things that affect their bodies I needed to listen to this advice myself. The experience was useful for me. Learning how to keep myself healthy in this situation is going to be helpful in my sessions with clients with similar experiences.

A second important learning from this situation was the clarity about being aligned with the work we do. Next visit to Guatemala I will pay more attention to volunteering in areas that are what I do best. Sometimes we let “shoulds” influence what we choose to do. This is easier to recognize in others than in myself.

At the last minute before leaving Ontario, I thought about possibly teaching the first level of Reiki down here. I am grateful for that thought. I brought down my handouts and supporting materials. Three people attended. One was the owner of the hotel where we stay and help. Gail is from New Zealand and is very interested in helping the Guatemalans in numerous ways. Laura is a Mexican Physician who wanted to learn more ways to help her patients. Fedelina is a Mayan woman who is planning to use Reiki in conjunction with her Mayan tradition when she attends births. I was blessed with the opportunity to receive a Reiki treatment along with her Mayan traditions this morning. What a beautiful and welcome experience.

I will write more about our trip another day, perhaps after returning home. Guatemala is a beautiful country with lovely people and a huge amount of corruption. We are so fortunate to live in a country like Canada. We have so much to be grateful for.

Hasta mas tarde,
Marie

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