Love + Freedom

I recently found myself sitting right in a valley of love, surrounded by nature in its peaceful and tranquil splendor. Started reflecting on how incredible it felt to survive on basics. Reflected on how abundance flows from the deep crevices of river beds, the roots of plants - watered by generous rain waters and the intoxicatingly sweet-scented aroma of lantana flowers. That kind of love and abundance is limitless...

The simplicity in the ways of life here, the depth of breathe, the instinctual sharpness and the relevance if all the rest of it. The spirit of love, the feeling of unity, trust and security; the ability to truly be yourself without fear and inhibition. The determination of existence through love and oneness with nature. A space where money doesn't determine how and what we do, but breathing does.
                                                    
Stars laid out in milky splendor; darkness is a comfortable blanket and not a cause for panic. Silence is a teleconference with the gods, not an awkward pause.

Love times love.... When souls find each other at the most appropriate setting. It's the most natural thing.

The love shaped leaves that sprouted freely all around the Peace and Comm-Unity huts. It was quite surreal how many of them there were. Or maybe it just reflected where my headspace was.

 True love knows nothing better than blossom.

 The love that radiated from the youth of Steynsdorp 2 was humbling. *I asked the two boys what they were listening to on their cellphone radio and the one on the right responded and said 'Bricks, the jahman!' (Bricks is a dreadlocked kwaito / hip hop artist from South Africa. Natives sometimes call all dreadlocked people Jahman or Rasta) - thought that was funny!

 The godfather *said in a deep bellowing voice* Haroun Kola (an incredibly warm spirit with a beeeeeeg heart and a happy, bouncy child inside of him. He's a joy to watch around children...) He's also a geek (we love geeks!) and a great Kahuna massage therapist. Oh and he's a feminist....we LOVE feminists. The angel next to him is Fleur... she epitomises LIGHT! What a happy, loving child.

Love in a time of Lantana! These aromatic flowers were all around us. At some point, we went through a 20meter long dense bush of Lantana. It was a bitter-sweet experience. An incredible one nonetheless.

The labour of love.... At the eco-village working on building on the space is truly rewarding and of course, great for the land.

 This is the lady at the heART of it all. Sarah Motha makes me so proud! About 5 years ago, we sat at the same spot she was sitting on, where she was telling me her vision for this village she was at the preliminary stage of building. Today, her energy and compassion can be felt all around the village. Her deep humility and compassion is incredibly inspiring. Love her to bits.

These lovely bags, made with love by Sarah Motha; worn by another lovely, lively soul Carolyn Howell - she took us through a few spiritual chants, storytelling and Tai Chi. She radiates love! She reminded me of what it means to be free -- completely free within your spirit and to transfer that energy to people around her.










Umphakatsi Peace Ecovillage is in Steynsdorp, Mpumalanga), 10km from the Oshoek, Swaziland border and a mere 1hr from Mozambique.