Glimmers & Guidance
Last Saturday, I went to Charlotte, NC to volunteer at the annual VegFest. This event included all kinds of vendors with vegan food, holistic healing, homemade treats, wine, organizations, information, and more. I volunteered for a few hours, assisting a chef from Indiana host her cooking class. For a while now, the call to volunteer and give back when I can has been sitting in my heart. In times of loneliness or confusion, it is taught that helping others or doing something for others that you enjoy doing can be medicine for the soul. Like I suspected, serving the children, chefs, and the event staff filled my cup that day. Through sweat, heat, and feeling tired, I completed a task that had meaning. Even if the meaning was light-hearted, there was purpose and I could feel it. I felt it in my smile, my intentions, and appreciation from others. Though I had an urge to stay in over the weekend, I pushed past my comfort zone and landed in the ease of flow, acceptance, and spontaneous adventure through helping. I answered the call to hold myself accountable for trying new things to see what joys could come of it. Other than the satisfaction of serving authentically, the feeling of excitement from listening to my intuition came along as well…
Inside Camp North End where the event was held, I tried a sample of red wine. It was refreshing and tasty, and I ended up walking away, debating on coming back later for a $5 glass. I walked around and visited the other vendors, grabbed dinner at a food truck, then ran into the man who was working the wine booth. He was my age, calm energy and joking about my low standards for wine. Though I wasn’t interested in drinking a whole glass of wine, I reluctantly began traveling back to his booth since I mentioned to him that I would. While I was finding my way back inside and considering the pros and cons of drinking alcohol in that moment, some of the doors to enter back in were closed or blocked off. I thought it was weird since the event still had another hour, so I aimlessly walked around in hopes of finding another way inside. Then something caught my eye, which made sense of the situation. A cacao camper! In awe, I stared. Cacao pods, beautiful decor, cacao powder for sale and all of its benefits listed for customers to see. I remembered all of the cacao ceremonies I had been to, the blissful meditations they have brought me, the closeness of community while sharing this ceremonial drink, and the importance of shared wisdom and women empowerment. I immediately began to express my interest and excitement to the owner of the van. Then next to me, a soft voice piped in and began doing the same. She and I talked about cacao, meditations, lifestyle, and podcasts we both enjoy listening to. The familiar spark of connection that cacao usually brings was lit in my heart at that moment. And I knew internally that I was guided to this little random cacao camper and that it was okay to choose what served me rather than go back for something out of an obligatory feeling. This is what I usually call a glimmer of gratitude. I believe everything happens for a reason, so when moments align and community joins together, I am uplifted and filled with appreciation for these glimmers in time.
I noticed something about myself. Amidst my healing journey, this event in a way revealed some insecurities that may contribute to overcompensation (or buying wine out of obligation rather than personal desire). I am grateful I followed my heart and gut, which were screaming at me to be still and enjoy where I was being guided to. In my previous nutrition classes, I learned all about cacao. I have had the desire to teach workshops ever since my education and experience with cacao ceremonies. Then, it hit me like a converted cacao van (Haha)… A sense of alignment and joy, an appreciation for such a small but meaningful thing I was led to. In blips of time when feeling rushed, self-judgmental, or anxious about decisions, there always comes a whisper from inside. For me, it led straight to cacao and community. Both of which fill my cup and bring peace and excitement. A state of flow. Where would we all be if our glimmers, guidance, and inner whispers led the way all the time?
I am so appreciative of the opportunity to volunteer and experience the VegFest! I am also grateful for the experience of the cacao camper along with the owner’s great energy and delicious heartfelt drinks. If you are a local or visiting Charlotte, NC, here are the links for the cacao camper and VegFest events…
What a beautiful thing to learn about myself and my community through something as simple as volunteering and diving into new experiences.
