Out of Africa: Lessons from the Wild

 I recently had the extraordinary opportunity to go on an African safari.

It was something I had dreamed about since I was a little girl—flipping through National Geographic magazines in my Dad’s dental office, completely mesmerized by the images of the animal kingdom, as well as, by the radiant, beauty and happiness in the eyes and smiles of the African people.

And let me just say…
it was even more breathtaking than I could have imagined.

The vastness.
The scale.
The sheer aliveness.

Herds upon herds of elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, leopards, monkeys, wildebeests, birds… life everywhere.

Not a little life.

Abundance upon abundance upon abundance.

And what struck me most wasn’t just the beauty…

It was this:

Nothing in nature was striving to create abundance.
It was already happening.

Nature Wasn’t Trying… It was Expressing

As they migrated across the plains, the animals weren’t worried about whether there would be enough. The land wasn’t trying to prove anything. Life was simply… fully expressing itself.

And it made me contemplate—

What if abundance isn’t something we need to chase or force?

What if it’s something we’ve simply forgotten how to recognize… and receive?

We Are Not Separate From Nature

Another truth that became crystal clear to me out there:

We are not separate from nature.
And we are not superior to it either.

We are part of it.

The same intelligence that designed the giraffe’s long neck to reach the highest leaves…
that gave the elephant its strength to topple down trees…
that allows entire ecosystems to self-sustain…

That same intelligence lives in us.

Everything in nature is designed to thrive in its own way.

And so are we.

The Intelligence of Life Is Everywhere

One of the most fascinating things we learned was how interconnected everything is. For example, one of our spectacular guides taught us how the trees actually communicate. When one is being eaten by an animal, it releases a chemical signal into the air that alerts nearby trees to protect themselves.

Even the smallest creatures play a massive role.

We learned about dung beetles—over 100 species of them—each with a specific role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem. Without them, the land literally couldn’t sustain life.

It reminded me:

Nothing is insignificant.
Everything belongs.
Everything contributes.

A Moment I Will Never Forget

One of the most profound experiences of the trip was witnessing a wildebeest giving birth. Our guide told us it’s usually quick—the baby is up and running within minutes. But this was different. This appeared to be a first-time mother, and we stayed with her for over two hours as she labored, continuing to move with her herd. I found myself fully present… cheering her on… completely in awe of this raw, sacred moment.

And then… Her baby was born. And within seconds—literally seconds—that calf was up and running beside her.

It was nothing short of miraculous.

Life knows what it’s doing.

 The People: A Different Kind of Wealth

As magical as the animals were… the people were equally unforgettable.

Everywhere we went, we were met with warmth, presence, and genuine care.

Not performative. Not transactional. Just deeply human.

It was the kind of hospitality that felt… elevated. Intentional. Heartfelt.

It made me realize something powerful:

Every one of us is in the hospitality business.

Not just in our work—but in how we meet people.

In how we show up.
In how we make others feel.

Small gestures… presence… creativity…

They have the power to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary ones.

A Visit That Touched My Soul

We were invited to visit a Maasai village.

There was dancing.
There was laughter.
There was music.

At one point, we were being serenaded—just standing there, completely in awe of their vibrancy, vitality, and joy.

And then…We were invited into one of their homes. Not as observers. But as guests. They live simply—in huts, with very little by Western standards.

And yet…

Their lives felt full.
Rich.
Deeply connected.

It was humbling.

It was beautiful.

It was a mirror.

What I Brought Home With Me

I came home with a few quiet, but powerful intentions:

To slow down…
To have reverence for my life as it is…
To let things be enough…
To practice letting go—not as loss, but as freedom

And to meet people with the same presence, openness, and generosity that was so freely given to us.

There was a phrase we heard often:

“Hakuna Matata.” You might remember it from “The Lion King” It means, “No worries”. Not because life is perfect for the African people, but because they just have a trust in the flow of life.

A Question I’m Sitting With… (And Offering to You)

What if abundance isn’t something we’re trying to create?

What if it’s not something we have to earn, hustle for, or prove ourselves worthy of?

What if abundance is already here…
and what if our actual life’s work is to simply learn how to receive it?

With so much love and wonder,
Liz 💫