In the search for more freedom ..
.. I found myslef in the need for help.
I was either going to book the next flight back, or turn to the people living close to me for the remainder of the days and be what a lot of us fear the most - opening up and being vulnerable.
What I am going to share, is one of the most vulnerable parts of my 3 weeks in Croatia. I was hesitant for a long time to share it, but I know that in the depths of despair courage arises. By sharing this, I hope that this story will spark a newfound belief in the greatness of humanity and the value of vulnerability in the midst of uncertainity.
I met so many beautiful people on my trip to Croatia, that I almost forgot the terrible episode of being approach by a random car in the middle of a busy street, which refused to leave. While I felt the men starring me down for minutes, with their gaze not leaving mine, my heart started to beat faster and faster. Despite the fact that I felt frozen in time and unable to move for a long period - after a few minutes, I ended up running for help.
Three Slovenian guys happened to walk up the stairs from the streets below the busstop. As the anxiety rose, I jumped up and ran towards the tourists asking them to follow me back to the busstation while waiting for my driver to pick me up. For a quick second they looked confused. They asked what was going on? I said that I felt intimidated by the wierd men and asked them for help. They kindly walked me back to the station, with the shady car still being illegally parked in front of the busstop. The guys were so friendly and understanding. Despite the fact that they didn´t know me, they saw the fear in my eyes, and waited with me -
no more questions asked.
Since the age of 19. I have been travelling alone in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Bali and the US. Never in my life have I ever felt so terriffied as I did that night.
I felt something was truly off when I saw the two older men in the car starring me down asking for directions to Bosnia, while we were in the middle of city centre Dubrovnik.
My gutfeeling told me RUN!
Despite the fact that “nothing” happened, the stares and the episode left me frightened and traumatized. I was litterarly shaking.
Energy doesn´t lie. Trust your inner knowing - always!
I am beyond grateful for the three guys who spent less than 10 minutes waiting with me.
Back in the apartment, I kept shaking.
That´s when I wrote to the Beekeeper.
He advised me to open up.
“Talk to the Norwegians.
Exchange numbers.
Be vulnerable.”
So I did.
Oh, how I am glad that I did.
In opening up I met the most amazing people with yet another inspiring life story.
A person in need of help is a person in need of help.
Regardless of status or nationality.
A good hearted person will usually always reach out and offer whatever help they can.
If only, for the moment.
What I got, was more than that.
I got a friend for life - Dominika.
Praise the LORD!
Dominika is a feminine name of Latin origin meaning “belonging to the Lord.”
Oh did I sense that she was sent from the Heavens!
Dominika is pure and filled with light.
Whenever I saw her, her light lit up the way.
She said she saw the same in me.
I replied: A spark recognises a spark!”
She has an aura of strength, nobility, and grace.
Dominika was staying in the same area, in the main house, with her family.
They are lovely Polish people visiting Croatia for vacation the second time this year. As yet another syncronicity - they are a family of sailors!
If it wasn´t for Dominika & her lovely family, I would have probably cut my trip short, packed my bags and been on the next flight back home.
Due to her warm, caring nature she invited me to spend the day with them and even to join them for a night out in the city. We got so well along and realised that we had more things in common than we could have imagined!
We continued to start our days with our individual yoga practices by the egde of the stone terrrace that lead straight to the water.
In the remaining six days, we continued to get to know each other even better and decided to stay connected - to this day!
In the search for freedom through exploration and new experiences, I came to understand that I can't always do everything alone.
It’s a reminder that freedom isn’t just about independence, but also about connection and trust.
By sharing our deepest selves with others and embracing vulnerability, it allows us to open up to real, meaningful relations and growth.
It’s part of the adventure of life,
learning to navigate the unknown both
within and outside of ourselves.
In choosing to stay and recover, while still moving forward with my original plan, I kept enjoying the moment.
In that, I managed to reclaim my peace of mind.
By facing adversity head-on, I transformed from a source of fear to a catalyst for personal growth.
Emerging from it with a renewed sense of hope and deepened faith in humanity.
The lesson is to stay open to both the positive and the challenging moments;
recognizing that they all contribute to shaping who you are becoming.
By not caving into fear, I gained a deeper understanding of myself.
This journey gave me clarity and strength:
A life affirmation;
No matter what challenges arise,
I have the resilience to rise above them and continue on my path.
The episode clearly defined the rest of my stay in Croatia & altered my state of mind since.
Life is really about seconds, mindfulness & being surrounded by people who feel like honey.
Opening up to the vulnerability of being a woman alone in an unknown place.
People reach out and take care.
I think genuine people are made for caring about each other.
We were hunter gatherers back in the day & I do firmly believe that we were built to live together & not apart.
Isolation kills.
Today, I am grateful for everything.
Spiritual message:
New beginnings and opportunities are coming your way.
As unique paths are about to unfold in your life;
Open your heart.
Be ready to receive its blessings.
Accepting what’s coming will make all the difference.
Notice the ways in which you might be holding yourself back or resisting change.
While change isn't always easy, it is necessary.
If you want to progress in your personal development,
you need to release fear and resistance to change in favor of embracing transformation.
Regardless where you are in the world -
make sure that the people you are surrounded by,
are well aware of where you are going and who you are going with.
If you are travelling alone - make sure to make genuine friends and acquaintances along the way,
so that you always have someone to ask for help if that should become necessary.
Always be prepared - better to be safe than sorry.
Life is sometimes truly about those few seconds.
I hope you all stay safe out there and take care of each other.
Love & Blessings,
Zerina
