Iceland You Captured My Heart

I’ve been sitting this past week in the glow of being away for 9 days in an incredible country shared with two amazing friends. There have been many moments of reflection and gratitude.

Iceland captured my heart even before I got there. And this surprised me. Looking back now, the moment we landed at the airport it felt like a homecoming. The last time I experienced this was in 1993 when I went to Japan to teach English.

I’ve been wondering what this is all about and why it’s hitting me this way.

Why do I feel like I’ve left a part of my heart behind?

And I think I uncovered it – both my trip to Japan and Iceland were a full body YES. No question, this is exactly what I want to do and it was just for me.

This land of contrasts where fire and ice coexist, and the land is continually changing, growing, and moving feels like you’re experiencing the dawn of time. This land is dynamic and every turn and twist of the road offers new vistas, new landscapes, and new wonders. I felt like I’ve always been there. Even the language felt familiar.

During those 9 days in Iceland I felt complete, whole, and authentically me. At the end of each day I was amazed by what we’d seen, experienced, and learned. I was able to see so much personal growth in every area of my life.

One particular day hit me quite hard. We were at the iceberg lagoon at the foot of the glacier and I was overcome with emotion, not only for the incredible beauty and awe I was beholding, but the reminder of where I was 4 years ago.

I was taken back to a time where my world was turned upside down and nothing made sense. May 2018 I entered a 9 month period of hell. During that time there was no way I could have ever imagined that I’d be in Iceland feeling so complete and alive. It was a day to grieve and rejoice.

It’s been hard coming home when I feel a part of me is left behind. Maybe it will call to me, maybe it will be happy to remain there, and maybe it’s offering my heart the openness for something unexpected.

Either way, this trip was one of the greatest gifts I’ve given myself and I’m so grateful for the chance to connect to a place I never imagined I’d fall in love with.