Om Swastiastu!
This Balinese greeting is more than just words; it’s an invitation to acknowledge the Divine in each of us. It means, “May the Divine bring you well-being, prosperity, and safety.” A blessing delivered with a slight bow, a smile, eye contact, and with hands in the prayer position or over the heart.
In Bali I was struck by something simple yet profound: the smiles. Everywhere I went, locals greeted me with genuine warmth, and a smile. It was contagious, and it was real. You see, in Bali smiles are believed to bring us closer to God. Imagine that—smiling as a bridge to the Divine.
It made me pause and ask myself: how often do we truly connect? How often do we look each other in the eye, smile, and acknowledge the simple beauty of our shared humanity?
In the hustle of daily life, we can forget. We rush, we’re distracted, we’re overwhelmed with the next task on our never-ending to-do list. I did not witness that in Bali – for example, when traffic gets congested – there are no blowing horns, frowns, or impatience. It was so cool to witness the patience, connection and unconscious untangling and return to flow.
Bali reminded me of a fundamental understanding: I am a Divine Spiritual Being having a human experience.
AND…. What if I allowed my human experience to be Divine? What if, in every moment, I could simply connect with what is—right here, right now? No need to add anything, no need to seek what’s missing. Just… this moment. Perfect and delicious as it is.
Another beautiful lesson I absorbed while in Bali is the practice of offerings. Everywhere you go, you’ll see small, intricate offerings placed in doorways, on sidewalks, outside businesses, and at the base of temple steps. They are made from natural materials—leaves, bamboo, and an abundance of fresh and vibrant flowers.
What struck me most was the simplicity and beauty of these offerings. They are not grand gestures, but small, thoughtful expressions of gratitude and reverence. Each offering is a reminder that everything around us — our homes, our work, our relationships — deserves attention, care, and blessing. Simple acts of devotion to bring harmony, prosperity, and protection.
These small rituals were about connecting with the present moment. After all, isn’t that where the Divine truly lives? The act of making an offering is an acknowledgment of what already is — a prayer for peace, abundance, and safety that invites the Divine to dwell in the ordinary.
I already have everything I need. In every moment, I can create my own offerings to the Divine—not necessarily in the form of flowers or incense, but through my actions, my gratitude, my smile, and my connection to the present. My life is already a blessing, and by simply acknowledging it, I can invite more of the Divine into every experience.
I already am… all who I am supposed to be and have everything I need in this moment. I am Sourced and Resourced. I am peace. And so are you.
May the Divine bring you well-being, prosperity, and safety.
Om Swastiastu!
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