Time is very slow for those who wait. Very fast for those who are scared. Very long for those who lament. Very short for those who celebrate. But for those who love, time is eternal. – William Shakespeare
Bula Bula and Happy New Year to everyone. I have many thoughts and experiences to share with you from our time in Fiji and I am so excited to begin~!
The Fijian culture and people are just beautiful and live completely from their heart and from gratitude. I never once heard them complain about anything, and for those who have so little, this is truly a gift. No matter what little they have, they share generously and without conditions.
When you are surrounded by this sense of giving and love, you immediately feel loved and nurtured and feel full and ready to give back generously. This was a wonderful reminder to me that when I live from that place, I can always feel and be abundant.
Surrounded by the most beautiful nature, the Fijian’s respect and honour the land, sea and the abundance it has for them. In doing so, nature has provided all of their needs. One humble coconut tree provides them with wood, furniture, jewellery, fire, plates, cups, food, water and nourishment. Everyday we were taught how simple it is to be abundant, how simple it is for them to love and be open and to give to everyone that comes into their life.
When we are willing to give completely, we also receive completely and so I began to feel energised by their openness and generosity and began to give easily in return.
The village we visited one day had no electricity. The two tribes lived in small open wooden huts with no windows and little or no furniture and yet every face of each child and adult had a smile and welcomed our family.
I am so very grateful for these people and for this experience. They reminded me to connect more deeply and to live from my heart and that abundance has nothing to do with what we have but rather about what we decide to give.
“Plant seeds of happiness, hope, love and success; it will all come back to you in abundance. This is the law of nature.” – Steve Maraboli
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Welcome back. 🙂 And Happy New Year!
Thanks Eric, Happy New Year too.
Happy New Year! Yes, Fiji is a very magical place and the Fijians are always happy. I treasure my time there, for it was also with my late husband and what a special time it was for us to visit. Thank you for reminding me of that today, and of Bula! I am off to mentor to a group of widows and widowers and I will take this spirit with me. Thank you!
Fiji is a special place to visit and I am so glad you have that memory with your husband. You are a wonderful to inspire and mentor others, this is the true spirit of abundance! “Vinaka vaka levu.”
I had a very similar experience in the Dominican Karen. They have a wealth we know nothing of here in the 1st world and like you, my experience inspired a post. ❤
Diana xo
http://talktodiana.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/whats-your-definition-of-wealth/
Great Post Diana and so true of those who are born with wealth in their hearts! What a wonderful gift to pass on to our children. I know it was good for my children to see their life. Thankyou.
Happy New Year and welcome back.
Thankyou Mary and Happy New Year to you as well. May you keep inspiring us with your beautiful art. 🙂
Abundance of the heart. Love this Karen!
Thanks Val, I hope I keep this feeling with me all year!
Going to places where people have little material possessions and comforts puts into perspective what is important. A few years back I was studying Spanish at the University of Havana and one of the teachers invited the class to her home for a meal. Her home was little more than a hut where she lived with her parents and brother but her mother and father cooked us a fabulous meal and welcomed us as if we were family. It was very touching and when I got back home to Canada I recognized how much abundance we have but also how much we waste.
Your photos are wonderful. 🙂 Happy New Year.
That is a beautiful story Carol and so true of those who grow up in these environments. We do waste so much and it’s a good reminder to become conscious of this. Thankyou for sharing. Happy New Year too 🙂
Bula! happy New Year to you. I am glad that you had a wonderful time.
Bula Elizabeth!!. I am looking forward to 2015 and all that it holds for each of us. 🙂
Welcome back, Karen! Glad you had such a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing.
The people there exhibit the true value that God has intended through humility. For they love life so freely because they are free from the burden of possessing.
-Alan
Happy New Year Alan, your comment is so well said! They want nothing more than enough and that is freedom to love more. Thankyou.
Fiji? Wow. I’m so jealous. Thanks for taking us to Fantasy Island Karen
Thats so funny you said Fantasy Island because that is exactly what we thought when we arrived! We kept saying “It’s da plane boss, its da plane” ha. I pretty much got everything I wanted there as well. 🙂
Welcome back. Thanks for the invitation to gratitude – so so much to be appreciative of.
Practising gratitude for my life, is a gift and we can practice together.
Thanks for “giving” to the rest of us through your beautiful and encouraging writing.
Thankyou for such a lovely comment. I appreciate your thoughts. 🙂
Karen what a wonderful way to see in the new year. I have been to Fiji and it is a breath of fresh air. People do not measure life on what they own. They measure life on family and community. We need to take a step back in time and create these kinds of communities once more. I remember growing up in a small village outside of Wagga where everyone new your name and if somebody was struggling the community came through for you. Happy day to you.
Happy New Year Kath! These small villages and towns, never lose sight of the bigger picture as you say, they share everything and connect to everyone and it is a wonderful reminder to us all. 🙂