Ask for the things you want to feel

Ana, my great friend from Cambridge whom I met a year ago, asked me: "Amazonia, how do you want to celebrate your birthday?" and gave me some suggestions like going bowling or going out to eat. Also, a very good friend told me, "Amazonia, I want to invite you to dinner for your birthday, where would you like to go?"

These two questions made me reflect on what I really wanted for myself, what I needed, and how I wanted to connect with this celebration this time. I love celebrating my birthday, and I usually do it by traveling. For me, this celebration starts days before and continues days after. I connect with my imagination and think about what my mom and dad might have been experiencing days before bringing me into the world.

I enter a state of reflection where I ask myself: What do I want to give in this new phase? What do I want to give myself? What do I want to evolve, and what experiences would I like to live, understanding that there is not much to control?

In the days leading up to my 32nd birthday, I connected intensely with gratitude for the beautiful opportunity of life and everything that has happened in my timeline. I expressed gratitude for the new challenges that are presenting themselves, which will continue to help me grow. I also felt grateful for not needing much to celebrate life but to maintain this inner peace I feel right now and to maintain connections that make me feel love and allow me to be myself. 

This led me to ask a question we discussed at the book club this afternoon: "What are we exchanging in our encounters? What do I want to exchange my encounters ?" The intention, returning to that magical word.

I asked Ana, if Marina could give us a yoga class and then have a circle to connect with gratitude. I asked for homemade food and simply sharing intimacy among ourselves. 

We had a great time. Each of us contributed to creating a gathering where we not only came together to eat, as is typical for birthdays, but also through practices like yoga and the mixed circle this time, we ended up releasing emotions, connecting with the power of breathing, inspiring each other through each story, getting to know each other a little more, integrating the power of masculinity and femininity. Tears were shed, laughter rang out, love was felt—it was a different celebration with a lot of intention.

Lately, I have been reflecting on how, through common celebrations like birthdays, bachelorette parties, or baby showers, we can invite a more meaningful connection with people, without falling into unnecessary excess and encouraging more intimate connections.

I am thankful for those who wrote to me, called me, sent videos, and decided to act with love. I thanked the sun that came out in Cambridge that day. Thomas and I had a lively walk.

I appreciated being able to communicate my needs to my friend and tell him, "Hey, do you know what would make me really happy? If you cooked something delicious at your place, and we watched a documentary I've been eager to discuss with you." In the end, we ended up having a delicious dinner in the garden—homemade food under the starry sky.

I enjoyed the process of preparation, the conversations that arose in the supermarket about how each one chooses what to buy, then the preparation of the fire and the space to feel comfortable. I valued the shared space from simplicity and the luxury that homemade food represents. 

I have always valued quality time with friends or family much more than anything else. In the end, it's those memories and moments that allow us to build our lives and fill them with celebration. I remember that birthday in Venezuela, where I went fishing with Eduardo and Daniel. I remember my fifteenth birthday when my godparents showed up with mariachis. I remember the pool my mom would fill to celebrate birthdays, and us playing in the backyard with the hose. I remember the last gathering in Porto with my friends to celebrate my birthday. I remember my 30s with Eva in Athens—an unforgettable birthday. I remember my 26th birthday, going skiing for the first time.

Thanks to all the people around me and the beautiful connections we have created. Let's continue celebrating life with gratitude and co-creating conscious encounters!

Amazonia Arroyo

Naked Woman