Live Life as a Ceremony

My favorite image of Nina at one with Nature off the North Shore of Oahu. .

After morning meditation, Nina gathered her last avocado, a lemon, some blue corn, flowers, and a stick of incense to offer to the land she loves.

She thought of spreading the avocado on a piece of toast and wondered, “Does the land truly receive these offerings, or should I just be eating this food?” She chose generosity and faith over breakfast. As she put it, “I smiled, said my prayer, and offered the goodies to Mama Kaua’i like a proper guest.”

When she returned home, Nina found the four avocados and five lemons her neighbors had left on her lanai table. She burst into laughter. “I’ve watched my life completely transform as a result of making offerings to the land,” she said. “Offering is a ceremony of gratitude and respect. It’s graciously working with your host. It’s asking permission and actually waiting to hear the answer.”

Nina sums it up wonderfully: “Offering with no expectation is true abundance. Love with no expectation is true love. Service with no expectation is true service.

“There is more than enough.

“Be generous.

“Offer thanks.

“Have faith.

“Live life as a ceremony.

“Abundance is everywhere.”

Thanks, Nina, for your brilliant wisdom and your example, and for allowing me to share your experience.