Over the years, I have been moved to be part of different initiatives supporting collectives at risk in different settings, cities, and populations. From a young age, I was called to serve and support. As a child, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up; my answer was, “missionary, I want to help other people”. And life carried on… I guess that I didn’t know how much that statement would shape my life in the following years to come.

I had always felt really appreciative of the life I was given and the fortune of having been born in a safe place at a safe and comfortable period of time, and that appreciation led me to give and help others less fortunate.

It was not until I started to live under the cosmology and philosophy of the Q’ero and their lineage that I discovered the importance of honouring Ayni, the way of reciprocity central to the Andean spirit practice, and the fifth principle of the Andean codex.

To live in Ayni means that you are always aware of what has been given to you, what you take and what you bring back to others, to society, and to nature… It is that value that stops you from being greedy, arrogant, or glutinous, as you know that what you take is what you need to give back. Most ancient cultures and ancestral wisdom hold this principle of reciprocity at their core. That is probably one of the reasons why they are still alive. There is so much more to say about the reasons for this important value and principle, but maybe for another time.

This week, I was honoured to have the opportunity to give back to my local community by opening some free talks about mental health. I have always been passionate about supporting and encouraging our community to make mental health resources available at no or low cost so everyone can access them. This opportunity is allowing me to give something that is close to my heart, and for that, I am grateful.

I hope to meet some of you, beloved readers, in these talks. Until then, enjoy life.

Om tat sat!