An Adventure in Nature
This past weekend, I joined my drum circle community of friends for an adventure. We enjoyed music, dancing, paddleboarding, floating down the river, and connecting with nature together. It was more than just fun, it was a true outdoor adventure with friends filled with joy, laughter, and healing. To me, this is one of the ways to live fully. Adventure, nature, and community are good for my soul.
Being in nature is so important for our well-being and our connection with life. It’s who we are and where we come from, the place where God created us. Of course, we learned to build houses to protect ourselves and to stay safe from the weather, bugs, and animals. Yet we’re still meant to be outside, to breathe the fresh air and feel the earth beneath our feet.
Nature offers us countless gifts, from the animals and plants to the fruits and foods that nourish our bodies and souls, from the beauty of sunrise and sunset to the glow of the moon and the twinkle of the stars, and from our oceans, rivers, lakes, and springs. Everything essential comes from nature, though sometimes we forget that. Moments like these remind me that nature is not only beautiful, it is also a source of healing and well-being, a place where our bodies and minds find balance.
“Sometimes the most extraordinary moments come when we simply pause, breathe, and notice the beauty around us. Life speaks to us in whispers of wind, sunlight on the water, and the laughter of friends.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
It was truly magical to be immersed in nature with my community on a small adventure. It reminded me how much I need these moments, to step away from the “normal” routine, from constant responsibilities, from the work-work-work lifestyle.
Surrendering to the Present
Right now, I still don’t have a job. And yes, sometimes that worries me a little, but at the same time, I know I’m okay for now. I’ve come to accept and be fully present with my circumstances. I surrender to what life places before me, while also doing the best I can and continuing to look for work. In the meantime, I’m using this time to focus on myself, to realign with who I am, and to truly enjoy my life, through writing in my blog or my journal, exercising, meditating, connecting with nature, going on an adventure when I can, and enjoying time with my family, friends, and different communities whenever I can. These practices have become acts of mindful living and personal reflection that bring me back to myself.
“Happiness is not a destination, it’s a series of choices we make every day. Choosing joy, choosing connection, choosing to feel alive.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
Happiness Comes From Within
For me, happiness can’t depend on what’s outside of me; not on people, not on circumstances. It has to come from within. That’s why I exercise, not to look good, but to feel good, so that I can have energy to do the things I love: kiteboarding, rock climbing, paddleboarding, and dancing. Also, to keep my sanity. It is why I spend time in nature, to feel alive and grounded. And why I meditate, to calm my mind, because our thoughts can get too loud, and most of the time, it’s unnecessary noise.
I also keep a journal I created to help me live with intention, connect and reflect with myself, and understand my feelings more deeply. Within it, I have a section for affirmations that help guide my mind back to what truly aligns with my soul. For me, journaling has become both a tool for healing and a space for mindful living, giving me clarity on my journey. If you’re interested, you can explore or purchase that journal here.
“You cannot pour from an empty cup. Nurture yourself, honor your soul, and the rest will follow: joy, love, and the people who lift you higher.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
The Magic of Community
For me, it’s about being around people who enjoy the same things I do, who want to create memorable moments together. When you’re surrounded by people on the same wavelength, it becomes something truly beautiful.
There’s something magical about gathering around a fire by the river, barefoot and grounded, under an almost full moon, dancing to the rhythm of drums and other instruments. Sometimes, campers or people floating down the river stop just to watch or even join in.
Even when some outsiders misunderstand, thinking it’s a magical practice or weirdness, the truth is simple: it’s a community of diverse people coming together to share music, movement, and joy. That shared heartbeat of music, fire, and laughter is profoundly healing, reminding me how community supports our well-being as much as nature does.
“The most powerful magic in life isn’t just in the rituals alone, it’s in the music that heals us, the energy it creates, and the shared heartbeat of a community celebrating life together.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
Choosing Joy and Intentional Living
Not everyone may understand why I live the way I do and that’s okay. They don’t need to. What matters is that I’m living my best life, being happy and not hurting anyone.
I want everyone to feel that happiness. I want everyone to do what they love, to make choices that feel good to them. Life is too short to settle for less. Why stay in relationships or jobs that drain you instead of uplift you? I understand that life sometimes doesn’t hand us the best circumstances, but we can still choose to live a happy life regardless of it all.
“It takes courage to live fully, to follow your heart, to embrace the messy, imperfect, beautiful journey of your life. When we let go of expectations, we step into a flow where life becomes effortless, where the river carries us, and where we find freedom in simply being.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
Community and Connection
I’m grateful for an amazing drumming community. Over the years, we’ve shared many weekends camping, playing music, dancing, laughing, and just being. Not all of us are professional musicians, but that’s not the point; it’s about sharing, expressing, and enjoying each other’s company. And it’s about accepting and honoring each individual for who they are.
“Adventure isn’t just in the mountains or rivers, it’s in daring to be fully alive, to laugh, to dance, to try, to explore, and to share those moments with others.” – Amariliz Gonzalez
Fully in Love With Life
Honestly, I believe that’s what life is about: being fully in love with life itself. With the good and the bad, the beautiful and the messy. To feel safe, comfortable, and happy in your own skin. To dance through the sunshine and storms. And to embrace all of it with a heart full of love for family, friends, community, and the special connections that cross our paths in life. Lastly, to be deeply grateful for all of it, to witness it, to live it, the blessings, the lessons, the moments, the people, the nature, everything.
Journal Prompt
Where in your life can you invite more adventure, nature, or community — and how would that make you feel more alive?
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