This summer I had the ultimate pleasure of returning to Southern Europe, place of my roots and where I feel a strong affinity. In truth, for me the Mediterranean region in summer has the most magical energy on earth. Why? Not only for it’s raw beauty but because they know how to live! The Western world, led by the United States, has decade by decade edged closer towards the fast paced, high stress, achievement based, money and power motivated society it is today. Meanwhile, in the Mediterranean and surrounds, though you see some of modern society’s obvious influences, on other levels they seem to have remained in a different time.
First off, the moment you land in one or other of these countries you feel the palpable atmospheric change. There is a vibration behind the sound of ever present Mediterranean cicadas that feels like peace, excitement and happiness all rolled into one. Then there’s the beauty. True there are many beautiful areas on earth, but in this region the beauty carries a real maturity to it, the history adds a richer and deeper layer. And the people know how to live within this beauty, giving proper appreciation to their surroundings.
Which brings me right to the most important and powerful lesson; the ability to live in the present moment. It may sound like a cliché but these people really do wake up and smell the roses. Even if they’re busy or working they take time for ritual, be it their morning coffee and pastry, a walk in the neighbourhood, an ocean swim, or lunch or dinner with family and friends over many a bottle of wine.. When you truly understand something Western society has been programmed to forget, that the present moment is ALL we have, you understand how critical it is to your overall health to at least start by taking small moments in the now each day.
Eating is an art form in these cultures. Everything from the cultivation of food, to the preparation and cooking of it, to the pleasure of taking time over a delicious meal, be it alone or with family and friends. What results is a healthier relationship with food, and the ever-present wine. People here usually sit at a table to eat, taking time to saveur each mouthful which results in better digestion. Often no food is off limits, so they enjoy a healthy balance of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Food production is vastly different. Most European farms are family operated/local businesses, vs the large scale crop production of American agriculture. Dangerous GMO’s (and the pesticides associated with them) are far less prevalent and have been outlawed in a number of countries. Where possible, locals will shop for food at farmers markets, taking time to pick out quality product. For most of these reasons the ‘Mediterranean Diet’ fad has taken off in the west. Importantly, mealtimes are more often shared so people take the time to converse and connect over the dinner table, a practice that is healing to the soul.
People in this region spend more time either out walking, at social dinners together, having drinks at a local bar/cafe, or attending events, than they do glued to their televisions or computers. Conversation is paramount, an art form they haven’t lost in the slightest. This is not to say they don’t own and use computers or televisions, it’s that they do so with more balance and without losing sight of the more important aspects of life, those of community and sharing experiences. And less time in front of a screen helps to balance out the toxic effects of emf’s and wifi. Fun is also a big part of life, especially in the summer when people get ample vacation time! Travel, swimming in the ocean, both water and land sports and activities, festivals, events, or dancing the evening away are all popular pastimes. Since fun = joy = contentment = better health, I’d say they’re on to something.
Southern Europeans work to live, not the other way around. The lesson being life is meant to be lived in balance and enjoyed, not as hamsters on wheels only chasing the next achievement or accruement, causing unnecessary stress in the process. Understanding this one ethos alone and applying it in small doses is enough to begin creating a healthier, better lifestyle. Beyond that, I hope you can take yet more of these lessons and use them in your daily life, so you can also wake up and really smell the roses.
