#406: SPOTLIGHT: Mia Brower
#406: Mia Brower
November 5, 2024
A Backbeat of Community
Question for Mia:
Does one particular travel experience come to mind (whether travel for work or vacation) that had a substantial and LASTING impact on your life?
Mia's Response:
As the plane swept left and tilted right, I imagined my duffel bag, nearly exploding with my tent, air mattress and two-months-worth of clothing. Just when I believed we would be swallowed by the Aegean Sea, a mountainous body emerged beneath our wings – the island of Ikaria, Greece.
When award-winning journalist and National Geographic explorer Dan Buettner coined the term Blue Zone some 20 years ago, I imagine he hadn’t expected inspiring a 22-year-old to travel to one of these regions alone just weeks after her college graduation. Or, for her to arrive and find all the taxis had gone home, and to instead drag her duffel bag to the one and only airport desk, where she would meet one of Buettner’s friends, a woman named Simone.
The moment I told her where I was going, Simone gave me a sheepish look. “That’s on the other side of the island,” she said, reaching for her keys. “Don’t worry. I’m about to head that way.”
Is this safe? I remember thinking as we piled my things in her trunk, a stack of blue yoga mats blocking the view to the front.
As we made our way together along the winding roads of the island’s coast, Simone reached between our seats and pulled out a jar of rocks.
“Pick one,” she said. “For when you need guidance. Use it to speak to the land; just don’t forget to tell it what you’ll be giving back.”
I surveyed the rocks and chose one with a crack running down one end. It felt cold in my hand. Yet for the next two months, I did what Simone said. Placing the rock between my palms, I pretended it was a prayer. And what I found was that it didn’t matter what I wanted or if I felt love or if I felt fear. It was always the part where I offered something in return that filled my lungs with air.
From the place where it sits on my desk today, Simone’s rock serves as a daily reminder for me that it is our truest nature to serve. That no matter what I believe or where in the world I stand, there is always space to consider others and find something to give back.
I suspect Mia would love all direct responses from you. I find it incredibly encouraging when I hear from any of you after I share my thoughts. It is powerful for me. I assume many others have a similar experience. So here is Mia's email… pip
Amanda's thought…
Mia, I've been fascinated with theories about the blue zones for years and I look forward to hearing more about this trip in person! I also know it takes a courageous spirit to embark on a travel journey entirely on your own and I really admire you did so. I love the message about the interconnectedness of humanity and balancing the art of giving and receiving. The fact that you chose the rock with the crack was symbolic for me in that it had me thinking that while some things can't be completely fixed, I always have the chance to leave someone or something better than I found it. Thank you, Mia!
- AP
