Walking in Wonder

by Marlaina Donato

Before life snagged us in its insidious net of obligations, our child selves discovered awe around every bend. We poked our noses into fluffy, new dandelions and saw faces in passing clouds. “Why?” was a perpetual mantra we lived by, no doubt testing the patience of loved ones. Somewhere along the way, our eagerness to jump into the lap of the world and be held by magic gave way to a new way of being.

In 1942, Albert Einstein wrote to his old friend, German psychiatrist Otto Juliusburger, “People like you and I, though mortal of course like everyone else, do not grow old no matter how long we live. What I mean is we never cease to stand like curious children before the great Mystery into which we were born.” This quote reminds us to stop wading in the daily grind and dive into the deep end of everyday magic.

Discovering a new musical artist, learning about a country we never heard of and touching emerald moss during a Sunday hike wakes up the child in us, the self that is impervious to pessimism. Observing a flower at ground level with the bees or reacquainting ourselves with the changing wheel of constellations not only re-sparks our ability to respond to life but also reinforces our connection to the infinite.

Courting curiosity is the domain of cats, as well as the most contented humans. Rekindling our wonderment is even better when shared with kindred souls, and the ripple effect can travel further than we might expect. Here are some inspirations: n Without a set plan, get in the car with a friend and see where the day takes you. Pack a picnic and stop for lunch somewhere off the beaten path. n Regardless of artistic ability, begin a nature journal and record small bits of the seasons throughout the year. n Check out a book or two from the children’s section at the library and be young again. n Create a daily practice of daydreaming about something delightful that has nothing to do with the past or the future. n Start a local meet-up with others that share a common passion: books, healthy baking, trains or thrifting. n Revisit a childhood or teenage interest and don’t explain why.

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at JaguarFlower.art.

Calendar Of Events

The events described in this section were scheduled to take place at the time we went to press. Please check ahead to confirm their status.

drumming, Koshi chimes, singing, toning and more. $35. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter. com. See ad on page 13.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 19

TUESDAY, AUGUST 1

Full Moon Ceremony – 7pm at Mystical Moon, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd. SE, Ste. 255, in Bonita Springs. 239-301-0655. See page 12 for details.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 2

Health, Wealth, Wellness, Beauty and Job Fair – 2-6pm. For people seeking an exciting career in health, wealth, wellness and beauty, and businesses looking to promote their products and employment opportunities. $25. Purely You Spa, 3066 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 302, Naples. PurelyYouSpa.com. See ad on page 2.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 6

Reiki Healing Circle – 5-6pm. Join our amazing facilitators for a reiki healing circle every 1st and 3rd Sun. Experience an atmosphere of healing while using reiki energy to remove blockages by balancing the many chakra energy channels. $10. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239228-6949. GoddessIAM.com. See ad on page 41.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11

Psychic Fair – 5-8pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 mins. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 13

Light Code Activations – 9-10:30am. Join an hour-plus of channeled energy, activations and messages. These activations can be shortcuts to ease and grace, healing and prosperity. $33. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Group Healing Event – 1-2pm. Ken Lloyd guides the audience through a series of visualizations while he anchors in the healing frequencies and then delivers them to the group. Also activating and opening up the DNA to allow the energy channels for healing. $75. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

Sound Bath with Harmonic Alignment – 4:456pm. With Natalie Batty. Relax and recharge yourself through the healing vibrations of seven crystal singing bowls, Native American flute,

Psychic Fair – 11am-4pm. Mini-readings with experienced psychics and healers. Services include mediumship, tarot, reiki, angel, past-life, chakra balancing, intuitive, body scanning, oracle and more. $30/20 min. Goddess I AM 600 Goodlette Rd N, Naples. 239-228-6949. GoddessIAM.com.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 26

KundaFlow Gong Bath – noon-2pm. With DamaDe’. Gentle physical exercises, specific breath patterns, vocal toning, mantras, crystal bowls plus other instruments are toned to guide each person into their own personal state of bliss. $40. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29

Full Moon Ceremony – 7pm at Mystical Moon, 8951 Bonita Beach Rd. SE, Ste. 255, in Bonita Springs. 239-301-0655. See page 12 for details.

Plan Ahead

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

Spirit Fest: Holistic Metaphysical and Crystal Expo – Sept 16-17. 10am-6pm, Sat; 10am5:30pm, Sun. Enjoy 90 booths with vendors, practitioners, intuitive readers, artists and demonstrations. See website for more details and discounted admission. $12/day, free/age 12 & under. Charlotte Harbor Event Center, 75 Taylor St, Punta Gorda. SpiritFestUSA.com. See ad on page 9.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24

Peace Day Block Party – 10am-5pm. Includes food trucks, vendor and artist booths, live music, entertainment, and fun for the whole family. Theme: Community: Flow with It! Grow with It! Free. All of Cottage Street, surrounding CasaShanti, 2052 Cottage St, Fort Myers. fb. me/e/1jZiFdD1q. See ad on page 31 and news brief on page 8.

Ongoing Events

daily sunday monday tuesday wednesday thursday friday saturday

Electromagnetic Frequency Assessments – Renee Walsh, owner of Alchemy of Love and Truth Healing Arts, in Naples, is providing electromagnetic frequency (EMF) home assessments with corresponding mitigation strategies at residences throughout our area. For more info, arrange for a free, 15-min consultation or to schedule: 239250-5115 or AlchemyOfLoveAndTruth.com. See ad on page 21.

Sunset/Bird Rookery Kayak To ur – 5:308:30pm. GAEA Guides on the Caloosahatchee River. See thousands of birds coming in to roost for the night and a great view of the sunset. $60 includes all equipment and Naturalist Guide. Other tours available also. Ft Myers. 239-694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Yin Yoga – 6:30-7:45pm. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Healthy Happy Hour – 2-5pm. Also held Wed and Fri. Specially priced IV nutrient/rehydration therapy and vitamin injections from the IV nutrient experts. Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine, 12734 Kenwood Ln, Ste 56, Ft Myers. 239-425-2900. rtcausesmd.com/iv-therapy.html. See ad on page 35.

Ashtanga Mysore Open Studio – 6-8:30am. MonFri, except moon days. New time for the summer. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Kayak Tour: Royal Palm Park Caloosahatchee River and Creeks – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Many birds nest on the island we will go near. We also go up some wild creeks in the Caloosahatchee Creeks Preserve. $60. Ft Myers. RSVP: 239-6945513 or GAEAGuides.com.

Estuary Kayak Tour in Estero Bay – 10am-1pm. Also held Sat. Birds, dolphins, manatees and more. Paddle on the beautiful waters of the Estero Bay Aquatic Preserve and the inside waters of Lovers’ Key State Park. GAEA Guides. $60. Bonita Beach. 239. 694-5513. GAEAGuides.com.

Meditative Yoga & Yoga Nidra – 3:30pm. In-studio with Peggy. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Sangha Midweek Meditation – 6-7pm. Relax and calm the mind and body, and practice meditation and deep listening together with us. Free. Zoom.

941-888-0116. Register: CaloosahatcheeMindfulness.org.

A Search for God Edgar Cayce Study Group – 6-8pm. Weekly study group meeting based on the Edgar Cayce readings. New members welcome. Free. Unity of Fort Myers Sanctuary, 11120 Ranchette Rd, Ft Myers. 850-556-7604. JaneSelman@gmail.com. UnityOfFortMyers.org.

Kundalini Class – 11am. In-studio with Logan Jones. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Crystal Bowls Sound Bath Meditation – 6:457:45pm. Participants lie down or sit while the frequencies reverberate through the body, bringing it back into a state of harmonic resonance, promoting deep relaxation and healing on all levels. $15. Lotus Blossom Clinic, 6710 Winkler Rd, Ste 2, Ft Myers. Register, Stephanie Niles: ananyaj1025@ gmail.com. LotusBlossomClinic.com.

Sound Healing – 1-4pm. With Alyssa. nuYou Naples, 3415 Radio Rd, Ste 101, Naples. 239285-0094. nuYouNaples.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.

Love Flow – 10-11:15am. In-studio with Tara. Love Yoga Center, 4949 Tamiami Tr N, Ste 204, Naples. 239-692-9747. LoveYogaCenter.com.

Live Music – 6-9pm. Rotating list of local artists entertain guests in the courtyard. Free. Food & Thought, 2132 Tamiami Tr N, Naples. 239-2132222. FoodAndThought.com.