I’m extremely empathic. Normally, I feel the emotional energy around me from people and places. In other other words, I’m emotionally intuitive. No, I don’t read minds, nor can tell fortunes, but I am very sensitive to energy. I’ve learned to manage this throughout my life. I even used this to my advantage professionally, when I worked in branding, but that’s a completely different story for another time.
But I’ll get to how this relates to our travels, in just a second…
By accident.
Washington DC was where we embarked and our first reentry back into the States in over a year.
Now I admit, I was emotionally exhausted. I was drained from the travel too. But the last day we were in DC and things were sorted out in terms of our travel, Miro said he wanted to see the Capital. So, with about 3 hours to kill, we took a shuttle into town and did just that.
The day was picturesque, just as winter was winding down, branches bare and skies blue.
It was a cold, cold day, but Miro and I were dedicated to walk from the Washington Monument to the Capital building. The iconic nature felt larger than life, and my eyes were wide open, hair standing on it’s end. I was alert and I was present, in Washington DC.
We walked passed all the museums, felt connected to the Miro sculpture.
We observed lots tourists as curious as we were.
It was surreal. I expected to feel some overwhelming pride, connection to my country of origin, or even some level of connection.
I didn’t.
I expected to see important politicians making their way through the grassy parks, connecting with the people they represent.
I didn’t.
I expected to feel the buzz of productive energy swirling around me, progress, and hope.
I didn’t.
The energy of Washington DC felt extremely heavy to me. The energy was strong, and for me, just a little too much to deal with, especially in my fragile state. No judgement, just a overwhelm heaviness, like the feeling of the weight of the world on it’s shoulders..
Oh wait….
Lainie Liberti is a recovering branding expert, who’s career once focused on creating campaigns for green – eco business, non-profits and conscious business. Dazzling clients with her high-energy designs for over 18 years, Lainie lent her artistic talents to businesses that matter. But that was then.
In 2008, after the economy took a turn, Lainie decided to be the change (instead of a victim) and began the process of “lifestyle redesign,” a joint decision between both her and her 11-year-old son, Miro. They sold or gave away all of of their possessions in 2009 and began a life of travel, service, and exploration. Lainie and her son Miro began their open-ended adventure backpacking through Central and South America. They are slow traveling around the globe allowing inspiration to be their compass. The pair is most interested in exploring different cultures, contributing by serving, and connecting with humanity as ‘global citizens.’
Today Lainie considers herself a digital nomad who is living a location independent life. She and her son write and podcast their experiences from the road at Raising Miro on the Road of Life.
