{"id":5261,"date":"2016-09-11T12:27:05","date_gmt":"2016-09-11T19:27:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/\/?p=5261"},"modified":"2023-03-22T10:11:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T10:11:01","slug":"the-way-we-are-all-connected","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/the-way-we-are-all-connected\/","title":{"rendered":"The Way We Are Connected..an Italian Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you ever hear this idea that the way we are connected is a part of <\/span>ONE divine mysterious thread?<\/b><\/p>\n

At first I tried to grasp what it meant literally.<\/span><\/p>\n

It helped me to know\u00a0that we are made up of energy categorized in 4 broad categories: emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. This last type was the most intriguing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"WeAreNotHuman\"<\/a><\/h3>\n

Who\u00a0we are has a\u00a0divine element\u00a0that\u00a0connects us.<\/h3>\n

The other energies are the human ways we express ourselves in the material world \u2013 with our mind, body, and emotions.<\/p>\n

Why does this matter?<\/h2>\n

How often\u00a0have\u00a0you\u00a0met someone who happens to know someone you know? That freaky\u00a0kind of connection that seems beyond chance\u2026is\u00a0it really just a small world?<\/p>\n

How can\u00a0I\u00a0instantly\u00a0connect\u00a0with a stranger\u00a0in Tuscany \u2013 an ayurdevic consultant from Quebec\u00a0(bottom left),\u00a0meanwhile others I\u2019ve known my whole life can feel\u00a0like a total stranger?<\/p>\n

\"img_0191\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00a0Agriturismo Marciano<\/a><\/span>,\u00a0Siena<\/span><\/p>\n

What is it <\/span>exactly<\/b> between you, and your connections that either resonates or feels like a void?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Adventure Begins..<\/h2>\n

I flew to Rome to celebrate our 20th anniversary in late August. I read \u201cwhatever you do, <\/span>don\u2019t drive in Italy<\/b>\u201c\u2026after I\u2019d booked the rental car.<\/span><\/p>\n

My vision of driving through Tuscany to visit the little towns, and experience their spirit of food, wine, passion, charm, art, and people \u2013 suddenly felt like a bad idea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you ever felt your dreams being squelched by the worries and fears of others? The\u00a0naysayers \u2013 learn to avoid them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Although the\u00a0one way streets, and roundabouts were a bit challenging \u2013 with a GPS, and a surprise upgrade from a Fiat 500 to an Audi A3 we zoomed around the Italian countryside how<\/span>\u00a0I envisioned<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

No tour bus was going to reach the places I wanted to see or give us the freedom to follow our own agenda.<\/span><\/p>\n

Paying Attention to the Magic..<\/h2>\n

Does your soul light up when you travel? When I\u2019m outside my regular comfort zone, new \u2018signs\u2019 show up literally, and figuratively.<\/span><\/p>\n

11\u2019s have been one of my \u2018signs\u2019 since I was a little girl usually showing up as\u00a011:11, but now in ways I least expect, yet magically perfect moments to\u00a0remind\u00a0me there\u2019s a higher force\u00a0at play.<\/p>\n

\"img_0147\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I expected gorgeous\u00a0landscapes, breathtaking\u00a0artwork, and grand cathedrals\u00a0-I wasn\u2019t disappointed.\u00a0But it\u00a0meant little\u00a0without the\u00a0respective stories\u00a0to bring through a\u00a0connection I could feel so we did the tours, and met\u00a0with\u00a0the people.<\/p>\n

\"img_0132\"\"img_0050\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The FOOD!<\/h2>\n

When we arrived a bit late driving from Rome for a\u00a0cooking class with owner Dania at\u00a0La\u00a0Chuisa<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(a Michelin Star Restaurant) in Montefollonico, we were invited\u00a0to sit, and have a cappuccino.<\/p>\n

\"fullsizerender\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Relax, savour, enjoy\u2026they are so good at this in Italy.<\/p>\n

Drinking coffee this way\u00a0is so opposite to the\u00a0caffeine rush it\u2019s become in our busy lives.\u00a0I picture this moment\u00a0to remind myself to slow down.<\/p>\n

Dania was a former law student who followed her passion for cooking. How can you not be inspired to do what you love with that view?<\/p>\n

\"img_0112\"<\/p>\n

Spending a few hours\u00a0with Dania teaching\u00a0us traditional Tuscan cuisine\u00a0was magical. There\u2019s an\u00a0ease, and joy\u00a0in how she\u00a0prepares food, and appreciates its freshness, and creation. After 40 years, it\u2019s part of her\u00a0essence.<\/p>\n

\"img_0113\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Making ricotta stuffed zucchini flowers, La Chuisa.<\/span><\/p>\n

After several\u00a0courses of creating, and eating, we could barely move. We had to relax\u00a0by her olive trees before heading out!<\/p>\n

Italy\u2019s pizzas are my all time favourite, and wherever we went that was my pick!<\/p>\n

\"img_0014\"\"img_0081\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"img_0177\"<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

You may be asking, how do I not gain weight? I do \u2013 a few lbs here and there, but my secret is maintaining a steady\u00a0high vibration of genuine JOY. Toxic energy (stress) holds onto excess weight. <\/span><\/p>\n

When you are in the flow of all 4 energies working together in a healthy balance, you can let go of whatever you don\u2019t want more easily because your energy is focused on what you want. <\/span><\/p>\n

We walked A LOT, and my regular fitness routine (a 7 minute App & pilates once a week)\u00a0plus\u00a0healthy eating for the most part built a foundation that allows me to indulge when the opportunity arises. I didn\u2019t hold back!<\/span><\/p>\n

The ART<\/h2>\n

Have you ever wondered why the statue of David attracts a million people annually worldwide? Some are willing to wait in the burning heat for hours for that feeling of total awe when they see David for the first time. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"img_0303\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He\u2019s\u00a0the biblical youth\u00a0with a stone, and sling against a powerful\u00a0giant he manages to conquer. Who doesn\u2019t cheer for the innocent child?<\/p>\n

The perfect muscular bod\u00a0standing casually before battle with no armour or sword ready to face\u00a0his own possible death. Don\u2019t we all want to go through life with that ease looking amazing despite what we face?<\/p>\n

The beauty carved in marble at this astounding level of artistry comes from a divine place few of us ever reach, but all of us are seeking in some form.<\/p>\n

These are the invisible threads that connect us..<\/h2>\n

I loved Siena thanks to our passionate guide Claudia. I booked\u00a0her based on high ratings on Viator, and we ended up with a private tour : )<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m a curious gal, and had tons of questions she could answer. We saw her later doing an afternoon tour with a group of 8\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

\"img_0211\"\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

As Claudia\u00a0described the famous\u00a0Palio de Siena (horse\u00a0race), which had already taken place\u00a0involving Siena\u2019s\u00a017 districts, I finally got a sense of where the\u00a0Italian\u00a0\u2018undying passion, and rivalry\u2019 comes from.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what that day\u00a0looks like:<\/h2>\n

\"palio3\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Piazza del Campo, Siena<\/span><\/p>\n

10 districts compete. It\u2019s apparently better not to win than lose to your rival (usually a neighbouring district). Allies have formed over the years.<\/span><\/p>\n

You are born into a district where you remain loyal your whole life. It weaves into every major life event \u2013 baptism, marriage, funeral. \u00a0Festivals, and holidays get celebrated with your district.<\/span><\/p>\n

The pride, and connection here is strong. Imagine centuries of love, devotion, battles, having to defend, and protect, built into your DNA, and social culture?<\/span><\/p>\n

We all want to belong \u2013 to a family, group of friends, church, community \u2014 it\u2019s at a whole other level here; this sense of being part of a community flows across Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passion, loyalty, rivalry..I can see how the mafia was born here, and how Italians are famous for their intensity in love. Two sides to every coin.<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u00a0surprised me most?<\/h2>\n

The black and white stripes adorning the Duomo Cathedral in Siena.<\/span><\/p>\n

Stripes! \u00a0It seemed out of place with the Renaissance style.<\/span><\/p>\n

.\"img_0226\"\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Turns out there was an\u00a0Arabic influence known as the\u00a0ablaq architectural style of alternating light with dark stones that could be traced back to Syria.<\/p>\n

The same place where millions of refugees have fled, while millions of tourists flock to admire their inspired work from centuries ago.<\/p>\n

It felt\u00a0like a strange, and\u00a0sad paradox.<\/p>\n

Colours of green (hope), white (charity), and red (love) on buildings were used to communicate\u00a0the values\u00a0to the many who were illiterate. It also\u00a0defined the spirit of Italy: Christian faith, giving, and passion.<\/p>\n

\"img_0334\"<\/p>\n

We found it amusing to learn that one of the ways people \u2018gave\u2019 was to donate their\u00a0valuables to the church in the hope they would spend less time in purgatory (an\u00a0intermediary state after death to \u2018cleanse you of sin\u2019 before heaven).<\/p>\n

The origin of guilt!<\/p>\n

The Italian Spirit<\/h2>\n

\"italyflag\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I reflected on how humanity would have evolved had Roman Emperor Constantine not had a vision of the cross with his soldiers that he believed led to his victory. He became the sole ruler of the Roman Empire, and first Christian Emperor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"img_0074\"<\/p>\n

Arch of Constantine, Rome \u2013 commemorating hs victory.<\/span><\/p>\n

The\u00a0most savage persecutions, and barbaric entertainment at the colleseum\u00a0ended with Christianity becoming the state religion in A.D. 324 under his rule.\u00a0December 25th\u00a0was the last day of a Roman pagan festival\u2026makes you wonder if Christmas was invented in Rome.<\/p>\n

His\u00a0laws created a better, more compassionate world\u00a0outlawing infanticide, the abuse of slaves and peasants, crucifixion, and making\u00a0Sunday a day of rest.<\/p>\n

Treasured Memories..<\/h2>\n

As quickly as it began, our 11-day adventure\u00a0was\u00a0over,\u00a0and I\u00a0was\u00a0back to my own reality. The\u00a0centuries of experiences that found their way into the lives of people, places, and\u00a0meals I got to take home.<\/p>\n

I will remember the sound of\u00a0the tower bells ringing, stunning\u00a0cathedrals, endless grapevines, and colour of the olive trees.<\/p>\n

\"img_0270\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I will miss the gourmet pizzas, gelato, and my favourite new wine \u2013 La Torre Chianti\u00a0(Reserva 2011<\/strong>) we shared on our anniversary\u00a0in Arezzo.<\/p>\n

\"img_0004\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I won\u2019t forget walking by armed military personnel whose\u00a0presence increased\u00a0in both Florence, and Rome\u00a0after the Paris attacks.<\/p>\n

Walking through the vatican, I couldn\u2019t help but focus on this mural of the resurrection of Jesus. His crucification is everywhere, but it\u2019s our\u00a0faith in the hope he brought that\u00a0I believe this world needs desperately.<\/p>\n

\"img_0035\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The belief that we can overcome what caused his death in the first place: the judgment of those who condemned him. That he forgave them for \u201cknowing not what they do\u201d is\u00a0what it means not to judge someone despite being crucified. It\u2019s the most difficult practice to master, but will set you free.<\/p>\n

I will treasure the people we were privileged to spend time with, and the stories they shared that gave me a great glimpse into this beautiful country.<\/p>\n

I made a point to record\u00a0my experiences in a book that happened to be both a journal and guide to Tuscany\u00a0from my\u00a0friend Dawn-Angela who holds art classes there. Can you imagine? You can check her\u00a0website out\u00a0here<\/a><\/span>. It was on my shelf for years before I had any real plans to visit Tuscany..another sign?<\/p>\n

\"adventureintuscany\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I\u2019ll remember how after 20 years we can still have fun, laugh, share, and explore new places in our\u00a0marriage,\u00a0and continue to grow\u00a0spiritually on our own individual, and connected path.<\/p>\n

\"img_0187\"<\/p>\n

Where will you be travelling next?\u00a0Create a vision of your experience, and some unimaginable threads will form to help it manifest. It\u2019s all in the way we are connected.<\/p>\n

P.S. What was\u00a0hanging on a wall on our last walk through the streets of Tuscany..<\/p>\n

\"img_0152\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Do you ever hear this idea that the way we are connected is a part of ONE divine mysterious thread? At first I tried to grasp what it meant literally. It helped me to know\u00a0that we are made up of energy categorized in 4 broad categories: emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual. This last type was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6057,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[58,52,56],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faith-letting-go","category-love-connection","category-spirituality-serenity"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5261"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5261\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9373,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5261\/revisions\/9373"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6057"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}