Sometimes the best mode of transportation is a “Leap of Faith”. Mine continued on June 1, 2007 on a one way flight from Naples, Florida to Kona, Hawaii. When I landed at midnight I literally and figuratively felt like I was in the dark. I began to have second thoughts about my decision. What was I doing on the Big Island of Hawaii in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? I knew no one and had no future long term plan, no past possessions and no home to speak of. I was in the void,the unknown and at the same time felt empowered. I was curious, open to a new adventure and chapter in my life. Little did I know that my Hawaiian “ohana”, friends and community, were waiting for me with open arms and hearts to welcome me to the islands.
When I awoke the next morning in the beautiful home I rented I was surrounded by an abundance of nature I had never experienced before. Sounds of tropical birds and the smells and sights of exotic flora and fauna were a feast to my senses. Any uncertainty I had felt about my decision to come to Hawaii was dispelled. I intentionally rented a house near Kealakekua Bay, a favorite local spot to swim with the dolphins in the wild and one of the main reasons I was called to Hawaii. I have always loved and felt drawn to dolphins as I sensed they had a message for me.
I arranged a dolphin snorkeling swim on a small boat with my local guide Joan Ocean. To my amazement I had the opportunity to swim with about 30 spinner dolphins. As they were encircling me, looking me in the eye, I felt their energy, playfulness and magnificence envelop me. I was crying in my snorkel, overwhelmed by the feelings and love that I felt. As we connected I was also invited to swim and play with them. My “Edgewalker” qualities of playfulness and connection naturally expressed with the dolphins.
When I got back on the boat Joan shared that clearly I had been called to Hawaii which included connecting with the dolphins. She explained that dolphins, and the Hawaiian Islands, call to certain individuals when it is their time to change, shift, evolve. My “Edgewalker” quality of Self-Awareness allowed me to listen, hear, and act on that calling. The process of disengaging from my former life, persona and identity created a fertile environment for Hawaii and the dolphins to initiate me. Over the next 10 years I would transform spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The shift that began to occur from the dolphin exchange happened almost immediately. My entire body, my energy felt completely different after the dolphin swim. It was so intense that I had to take a few days off to relax and integrate.
The local Hawaiians say the islands either “chew you up and spit you out, or embrace you.” Little did I know that I was being embraced and supported to grow and evolve in ways I could have never imagined. This also included the difficult process of letting go of the parts of me that no longer served my life. Over time they got “chewed up and spit out”. I surrendered to the unknown, scary and full of possibility, one magical day and one precious moment at a time.
Lessons:
*When we are aligned with our true path, our authentic calling, LIFE supports us.
*Learn to listen to and hear your intuitive voice, trust it and act on it’s wisdom. It is never wrong.
*Letting go of the old is necessary to create space for the new.
