We all know how challenging packing our bags for a trip can be. Some people find it easier than others. Balancing needs and desires when deciding what to bring, can feel overwhelming for many of us. 😅
When the trip involves migrating to a different country, continent or language, the idea of «luggage» takes on a whole new meaning. In my case, I had to leave behind my beloved books, my entire printmaking workshop and, I’ll admit it, I even mourned some of my favorite shoes and gear.
Yet, since leaving1 Argentina, I’ve realized the true lessons of migration extend far beyond physical belongings. Missing people, places and experiences, becomes an endless loop the moment we set foot on the plane. Over time, we might forget about the books or other material things we left behind. But the longing for the people and moments we’ve cherished, evolves differently. That feeling doesn’t fade; instead, we learn to coexist with it.
The game board of our lives flips and the match begins anew. The pieces almost magnetically return to their starting positions, but the players change. Familiar roles are filled by new faces. The courage to live at a distance and, from there, build new connections, is an act of bravery and creativity. We craft a new life, embracing a kind of presence that transcends physical closeness. This new game isn’t just about survival; it’s about nurturing what endures—what we treasure in new and profound ways.
A couple of months after arriving in Spain, a friend I hadn’t spoken to in a very long time reached out to tell me he had become a father. He even chose a song to play in the background while recording the message! I cried with joy at the good news and, as we talked about being away from home, he said, “If you look back and have nothing to cry for, it means you’ve done everything wrong”.2 That statement flipped my perspective. From a straight and narrow point of view, having done things right would translate into happiness, not crying. Crying is often seen as a sign of sadness, and sadness isn’t something we’re usually encouraged to embrace. No one wants to feel sad, and most of us aren’t taught to welcome such emotions, at least until we’ve had some kind of conscious awakening. But crying, of course, can spring from so many emotions beyond sadness. And yet, we often avoid it because it’s a state we’d rather not find ourselves in.
As a child, I cried a lot. People around me always pointed it out. In my teenage years, I withdrew, perhaps trying to find ways to express myself, like art and music, without judgment. Now, as an adult, I’m still the one in my family who “cries too much,” as if there were some quota I’ve exceeded. For me, though, crying is as essential as breathing. I’ve even cried out of sheer excitement while cheering for marathon or triathlon runners. Crying allows me to express feelings that words can’t capture—a mix of emotions, sometimes contradictory, spilling out all at once. To me, is a form of celebration. It’s about being present and open to life in its rawest form. Whether it’s from happiness, sadness, uncertainty, or excitement, embracing our tears is a way of honoring our emotions and memories. It’s a reminder that we’ve lived fully; proof that looking back brings echoes or «snapshots» that make us happy.
Looking back and finding treasures along the timeline of our lives, is reason enough to celebrate. These may not glitter, but they illuminate our path. Considering my friend’s words, I’ve come to see myself as a pirate navigating the oceans of my life in search of treasures—being in the form of people, relationships, experiences, fleeting moments or breathtaking landscapes.
Isn’t it wonderful to give ourselves permission to play the game of life as pirates once more? To embrace the journey, navigate the vast oceans of emotion, and collect treasures that make our lives richer and more meaningful?
I wish y’all the possibility of looking back and feeling grateful, the openness to cry out of the life collected this past year and the ones before. And a very Happy New Year! 💫🎉💟🕯️May 2025 bring us oceans of love in all its ways, adventures and manifested dreams.
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