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2017: Love & Aliveness

This last day of 2017 began the same way as the first day of this year – with an 8km walk to Playa Grande, Montezuma, Costa Rica, at sunrise with Coco. It was absolutely stunning, exquisite and uplifting. As I walked along on the hot smooth wet sand, on one side the open, warm Pacific ocean; on the other side wild jungle; the roaring of the howler monkeys in the trees, and the screeching of the parrots. Nobody else but Coco and me. Although I must have walked on this beach 1001 times, I never tire of it.

Appreciating every moment as a completely new experience is a practice I have found very healing over the past two years. And as 2017 comes to an end, I am happy and my body is healthy; life is thriving within me.

Of the countless moments I celebrated in 2017, two experiences stand out as a theme, the melody of every day: love and aliveness.

When I talk about love, I mean the love that surrounds me as I am alive – in nature, grocery shopping, playing with Coco, welcoming new guests to my vacation rental Casita, laughing with the cashier at the hardware store who also had cancer once, pruning the tropical bushes that Steve planted… the big unconditional love that is always there. I also mean the love that I have shared with my friends and family, with my community and the readers of this blog this year. Some of my old friends I had not seen or been in touch with in over 20 years, and the love was still vibrantly alive. Reconnecting with family members I had not spoken to in 10 years, it felt like no time had passed at all. Being able to love my father while he was still in his body and then letting him go. Reading all your comments of love and support and understanding, of you being touched. Love is all-pervading.

Love goes beyond life and death; I always thought that, but now I know it. The love for Steve shows itself in many ways although he is no longer alive. Strangely enough nowadays I understand aspects of him and the way he saw life that I had not grasped before. I often wish I could say to him in person, ‘Yes, you were right, after all’. Or, ‘Wow, now I understand about the plankton that burned your skin when you went surfing, and that’s why you wore that sexy slinky full-body suit when immersed in the sea!’ Even though I cannot say it to him, really, I do say it out loud, and maybe, somehow he will hear it. Steve’s love is present inside of me, inside of our beautiful doghter Coco, in his children, in all the people who knew him, and in the paradise around me.

Simply put – love in all its aspects has been an amazing gift for me this year.

When I embraced Osho as my spiritual teacher, he wrote to me, “God comes as love, he showers on us as love, so when love starts moving you, know perfectly well that God is very close by. Let your life be a love affair.” Once again I understand these words anew. I used to think that he meant that I should have many lovers. Then I understood it to mean that I would have a love affair with the divine mystery. But now I simply feel – love. THE love.

And aliveness – what a miracle, I mean, really – what a mystery this life is! I made it through the most horrible events and I am still alive; amazing, incredible. Our life and the life of our loved ones can end so quickly, so unpredictably, that to me it has become very important to celebrate being alive, to give attention to the fact of aliveness, and the presence of love. We cannot take it for granted, this life. It will end, one day it will end, and in the meantime let’s marvel at the power of it and at the privilege and the inexplicable presence of life in our bodies and all around us.

With these musings I wish you a very happy, healthy and ecstatic new year. May your life be abundant and vibrant with love and aliveness.

From my heart to yours. ♥

“Love should be like breathing. It should be just a quality in you – wherever you are, with whomsoever you are, or even if you are alone, love goes on overflowing from you. It is not a question of being in love with someone – it is a question of being love.” ~Osho

27 replies
  1. padma
    padma says:

    Huge HUGZZ & Lots of Aloha coming to You Dear Lokita across the ocean! May your Love for Life & Us All keep growing & spreading the Light You ARE! XOXOXO <3

    Reply
  2. Grace
    Grace says:

    Thank you for these words. As I await biopsy results, I realize that I can breathe my way in love through all of the uncertainties of whichever path it takes.

    Reply
    • Lokita Carter
      Lokita Carter says:

      Oh dear, Grace. I send you lots of love and hope that the results of the biopsy will be good ones. Feel free to email me if you want to have a more private connection ❤️

      Reply
  3. Todd Kaufmann
    Todd Kaufmann says:

    May the coming year bring you and coco love peace and tranquillity from the past and beautiful enjoyable freedom creating new happy experiences into the future

    Reply
  4. Rachila
    Rachila says:

    So beautifully expressed! Thank you for being love, alive in your body & for sharing your journey with love! All the best for the new year!
    Love,

    Reply
  5. Jim fritz
    Jim fritz says:

    Thank you Dear One, for your ongoing observations of life and love. I look forward to each and every one. As another completion of this earth around the sun, m6 84th, I frequently wonder how many more I will experience inhabiting this magnificent body. You and Steve have helped me to enjoy the experience of being in this body and ALL of its functions especially the great gift of human sexuality. I embrace what I heard you both say so many times, say YES to life. I love you, dear friend…

    Reply
  6. Sonya
    Sonya says:

    It sounds like you traveled the vast “journey without distance”, from Love to Love.
    Your writing reached my heart too; it’s such a good place to rest for a while. Enjoy, love you.

    Reply
  7. ane takaha
    ane takaha says:

    Lokita, you are such an inspiration. You had one knock out punch after another and yet here you are – proof that love heals, that the body heals, that the soul heals. Thank you for reminding us. Ane.

    Reply
  8. Eric Gillett
    Eric Gillett says:

    Lokita, your impressions over the last couple of years have been both heart wrenching and warming. In just a short time, but endless time, together at Harbin, Maria and I learned so much from you and Steve. I am grateful that we continue to love and learn from both of you. Be well. Eric

    Reply
  9. Linda Zimmerman
    Linda Zimmerman says:

    Beautiful New Year’s message..thank you for setting a positive tone. I also listened to Jack Kornfield this morning..NPR interviewed him for one hour and he shared his loving spirit and wisdom too. Stay well Lokita and Coco..this is the Year of the Dog!

    Reply
  10. Kavitro
    Kavitro says:

    Dear Lokita,
    Thank you for your words of wisdom. So beautiful to read that you are feeling love and aliveness.
    Wishing you more of it for the new year. Enjoy every moment of life dear Lokita.

    Sending you a warm embrace!
    Kavitro

    Reply
  11. Kim Stanley
    Kim Stanley says:

    Your blogs inspire me and others to no end! YOU have been a teacher for so many through your unbeleivable experiences these past few years..your ability to reflect, be real, and guide us all into being better humans is remarkable. THANK YOU dear one , KIm

    Reply
  12. Susan pascal Beran
    Susan pascal Beran says:

    New Year’s Eve we were dancing to a song that chanted these same words- the message spread like ripples through the collective whole cosciousness of all beings some aware, some not, all called to the dance, and once again I find in the surprise of synchronicities that you are the dance caller, Lolita of love <3

    Reply
  13. Amy J.
    Amy J. says:

    Thank you for sharing your precious heart with us Lokita. Your journey has been an inspiration…. the resilience of the human spirit lives on despite ourselves… Deep Peace to you in the New Year…

    Reply

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