Last night, as I walked through Barcelona, I felt pure bliss, awe, and wonder feeling the city’s energy. It deeply touched me. In that moment, Barcelona’s magic was palpable and filled my heart with joy.
This morning, I got a message from a friend who joined the very first Barcelona & Cava Wine Country Gastronomad Experience. He asked if Barcelona is “still delivering its usual magic.” I love thoughtful questions.
It was a poignant reminder of our beginnings. (Next year, we’ll celebrate 10 years of The Gastronomad Experience!)
I’m always struck by Barcelona’s resilience and grace despite the challenges of being a beloved destination. Over the years, I’ve watched the city change, but somehow its soul and heart continue to shine through. The magic is still here. You just have to open your mind and your heart to it.
As a full-time traveler, I feel a deep connection to the places we revisit, but mostly to the people, who of course are the heart and soul of every place. When a single, powerful connection happens in such a moment, it becomes the purest expression of bliss and belonging. That sense of belonging comes from nearly four decades of knowing a place so well.
I welcome the bliss, never knowing when it will strike me. It often appears unexpectedly during a Gastronomad Experience, as in the recent Prosecco Hills & Venice Gastronomad Experience. In those moments, I feel uplifted and transported to a new dimension of existence, where happiness overwhelms me with tears of joy. I live for these moments. I want to hold onto them, keep them etched in my mind, let them linger, and savor their magic.
I deeply treasure and foster the ability to appreciate the beauty and richness of the world. Losing that wonder would be like being unable to taste a delicious meal.
Yesterday, I had wonderful exchanges with local friends and felt deep gratitude for their friendship, warmth, and hospitality. I counted my blessings, appreciating the privileges life has given me, both professionally and personally. I believe that gratitude laid the foundation for the bliss I experienced later, a feeling that still lingers within me. I’m grateful for that.
During dinner with my beloved, we found ourselves deep in conversation about the experience of living. We talked about how the world we experience as human beings is really the world we create for ourselves. We are pure energy, and how we choose to direct that energy can uplift us, bring us closer to others, and shape a more meaningful experience of life. Our mindset and outlook transform who we are and shape what we receive. It all comes down to our mindset, perspective, choices we make and the actions we take.
One lesson we hold close is not to judge others, but to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. We can never fully understand the complexities and nuances of those whose shoes we haven’t walked in, or whose life stories and experiences are unknown to us. Our purpose isn’t to find fault in others, but to look inward and commit ourselves to living thoughtfully and intentionally, a life rooted in purpose, kindness, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion, and happiness.
Today, it’s raining in Barcelona. Listening to its gentle sound from my window in an old house (built in 1769) brings a sense of calm and inspires reflection on life, the beauty, the challenges, and the people I love. I’m thinking of friends and family facing difficulties.
Life is full of twists and turns, and luck plays a big role. We don’t have to take on the whole world, just care for our own corners, appreciate what we notice and hear, and love and accept those closest to us, as long as that love and goodwill are mutual, even with differing ideas. The secret is to know the difference between the things we can change and the things we cannot change, focusing on changing what we can and letting go of the rest.
Just as rain is one of nature’s purest gifts, life’s trials and hardships are tests on the human journey. In the busy flow of life, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters during our brief time on this planet.
Many of us worry about the state of our beloved country, the impact of technology (especially AI) political turmoil, war, natural disasters, homelessness, and other challenges. Friends worldwide share these concerns. On a global scale, these worries are real and remind us to nurture a healthy outlook individually, and how much greater our collective impact can be when we each do our part.
As humans, we must nurture our resilience and live with courage. We have to meet life’s challenges with grace and without fear. What matters is how we see and respond to the world. So I will nurture those good feelings that bring joy and wonder, the fleeting moments of bliss and the magic of inspiring places and people.
In the meantime, we all need to live the best life possible, lead with love, and let our actions set the example. Nurture a heart so full of love and light that there’s no room for darkness. Keep practicing and growing what fills your heart: more love, more joy, and more adventure!
Magic is everywhere. We just need to let it find us. First, we must open our minds and our hearts, let the flow of life move through us, and truly appreciate all that surrounds us. The Barcelona & Cava Wine Country Gastronomad Experience is next!
Amira
