During a meditation about 10 years ago, I had a vision of owning a retreat property in the mountains. This property would have space for myself and my family to live, to work and to be in a place of beauty while we do our work and play in the world. One day, I hope to be able to put into words the series of mystical and magical experiences that have lead to realizing that dream. For now, I'd like to write about the process of getting there, letting go of our current lifestyle and growing the dream.
I am a big believer in following my heart over my head and listening to the whispers of Spirit as it guides me. One of the ways I connect with Spirit is through song lyrics. I began to "hear" lyrics of songs with the word "paradise" in them. I knew it was related to our next home but I didn't know where that would be. There is a Paradise Valley here in Morgan Hill so my husband and I drove around the area and pondered the options. It is beautiful, to be sure, but with the price tags on homes being around the two million mark (with little land) we just didn't see how it would work. We figured that we would need to win the lottery in order to make that happen. Not that we weren't open to that idea, but it just didn't seem like a way to manifest your dreams by waiting to hit the lottery.
Then, I was reading some Facebook posts (which I do occasionally, hehe) and noticed that one of my friends lives in a place called Paradise, CA. Bing bing bing, bells are ringing, lights are flashing...could this be the place Spirit was trying to show me? I began to discuss it with my husband who was open to considering it but not quite "there" yet. We waited a few weeks and decided to take a road trip to check it out.
Paradise, California is about 3.5 hours from where we live in the South San Francisco Bay area, yet it seems a world away. It is bordered by a national forest and the main road runs between 2 canyons, one of which is nicknamed "Butte County's Mini Grand Canyon". It is a magnificent display of nature and we fell in love at first sight with the landscape of the area. I think I would have probably agreed to live in a hut next to the canyon at that point just to be near it. The one property we viewed for sale was really too small in both land and dwelling yet I was ready to sign on the dotted line right away. My husband, being a little less spontaneous and more focused on details suggested we might want to give it some more thought.
After our return home, we began to look at properties on the internet and found one that really intrigued us. It had nearly two acres of land and three dwellings. (My vision includes the possibility of owning the properties on either side in the future). The first real estate agent that I contacted to show us the property responded thusly: "You really don't want to see that property. It's a weird round house. Also, it is not financeable so you would have to pay all cash. Let me find you something else." Dude doesn't know me at all. I responded with a simple "I like the weird round house" and decided to contact another agent. I felt only slightly deflated because of the "cash only" status of the sale. I had already made a Facebook post about the property and a good friend posted "Get ready for a surprise regarding how you will be paying for the property." I was intrigued and I totally believe in miracles so I contacted the listing agent who immediately informed me that the owner was willing to finance the property. Surprise received (though we are totally open to receiving more).
As we walked around the property taking in the huge yet overgrown garden, the green house, the gazebo, the little red cottage, the mobile home and the main house we began to realize that we were home. I turned to the agent and said "The only way this could be more perfect is if it were already fixed up." I realized later that this was not a true statement because my husband and I enjoy projects and are very good at making old things new again and making them our own. On a budget. As we drove back home, I told my husband that once we said "Yes" to this, the Universe would come together to make it happen very quickly. We agreed that it was time for us even though we knew our children would not be happy with the decision. The final question, asked and answered was "If not now, when?" The time was now. We submitted an offer, it was accepted. So here we go!
No comments:
Post a Comment