Talk Less, Write More, Play Some Music…
Since my official arrival in San Miguel on December 11th, I had envisioned a serene daily routine punctuated by moments of writing and reflection. However, the reality has been quite the opposite. My days are now filled with a whirlwind of activities, making my life busier and more dynamic than ever before.
On the surface, the reasons are all quite magnificent. I've fostered profound relationships, both romantic and friendly, and I am assembling my tribe day by day. The social calendar, while exhausting, is also a testament to the vibrant community here: art shows, live music, poetry circles, lectures, dinners, and cocktails. It's a dizzying frenzy, but the connection and mental stimulation are like a warm embrace, fulfilling a deep need within me.
And yet, once I take the time to scratch beneath the surface, I also recognize that the social calendar in San Miguel can be a gilded cage, a prison that keeps gringos enmeshed and enslaved to time management and excess. We North Americans love a schedule; we love to ride ourselves into the ground with exhaustion and striving, and we love to stay busy so we don't have to be in silence with ourselves. It's alluring, Calypso's Island, and the ambrosia is sweet.
The subtle truth is that San Miguel de Allende is a Pueblos Magicos and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is revered for its architecture and creative arts and because it sits on a deep bed of rose quartz, a crystal known for its healing and calming properties. In addition, the city is literally in the center of Mexico, the heart and soul of the country. That kind of power is palpable and impossible not to feel. But Mexico and her native people are magic makers, in tune with the energy around them and capable of charming that energy into something sacred. They take what the earth offers in abundance and craft a life that is slow and steady in its pace. There is always time; it is infinite here, so there is no need for urgency or rush. They remember that the quartz is anchored deep in the marrow and the bone; it will last forever, so there is no need to gulp and consume with frenzy. Just slow, deliberate choices: loving your neighbor, offering a smile and a brief word, being generous with time and resources, laughing at obstacles, and spending time with family and friends. Oh, how this country is unraveling itself for me, teaching me how to live, learn, and love more deeply than ever before.