The Power of a Man

 

Yassu my sweet dear friends,

Do you believe in change?

I do. But oh my god how much doubt and frustration I had during the covid madness.

I think that there is hope for us. I also believe that one day we all gonna disappear from this beautiful planet, and there will be other life forms that perhaps can take more care of their home. However, in the meantime, I do my best to live harmoniously, to stand up and speak up for my values and ethos. I also try helping and volunteering as much as I can because this life, for me, is about that. Creating a change, creating lives we wanna live and helping the ones that can’t take care of themselves.

Most of you probably know that for these past 11 years, since I left Lithuania and started moving around, I have been visiting and helping at various animal shelters. Animal rights is a very touching cause for me, perhaps, once before I was one of them, perhaps it’s from my sensitive mom, or maybe I just really wanna help the ones that cannot help themselves.

So the past 3 weeks I have been extremely lucky to be volunteering at the Bronx Familia Animal shelter in Crete island. Living with no electricity, no wifi, in the hills of beautiful Crete, surrounded by barking but ohhh so lovely 160-170 dogs.

And you know what? This place was born because of one man. One single man. No money, no previous fancy job, no support from the government, no possessions, but true, honest and dedicated love and compassion for animals. This place now has around 170 dogs. Created by one single man. ONE. SINGLE. MAN. These 170 dogs that perhaps have been abused, injured, hated by some cruel people, nearly killed have survived because of one man. I am so extremely inspired in this place.

Nikos completely dedicated and sacrificed his life towards the animals. There is no ego, not a single selfishness involved. He owns nothing and ask for nothing and yet he is able to help so many beautiful dogs.

Of course, the shelters, however loved and caring they are could never replace a loving home for a dog. Here, dogs are at the kennels, and even with volunteers it is impossible to give a lot of attention to each of them every day. It’s a transition stage between saving the dog out of the street and looking for a new loving and caring home. So guys, let’s stop the dog breeders, we really don’t need more dogs in this world. There are so many loving, sweet, adorable, well behaved dogs that are waiting for somebody to adopt them.

I am so mind blown by Nikos love to the animals and all the work he does.

During those 3 weeks I have been here, we got 10 more new dogs. Left out, some ill and injured, some sad and frustrated and confused of what wrong did they do to get treated so badly.

I believe that every single person on this planet has something good inside, the true and beautiful spirit, but many of us grow up in dysfunctional families, abused homes and horrible conditions so we forget or not even know how to love every single being on this planet.

Let’s inspire each other, let’s do one good thing a day, let’s find a compassion for the ones that need it the most. So many of us have so many opportunities and potential to change this planet. And Nikos is just one example.

Believe in change, believe in compassion.

P.S. Forgot to tell you that in the meantime I fell in love with Greece and decided to stay here for a winter. Athens is where I am most likely stop and live for a bit. If you know anybody looking for a nice flatmate or a creative vegan cook, give me a shout 😊

P.P.S My camera's battery died so I had no chance to take pics of the beautiful dogs out there :(

With so much inspired thoughts,

Ligita

Inspiring Athens

while volunteering with horses in Skyros island

Mohamed was with me at the horse place

my future home- Athens!

with my brother Momo!!

crazy Alexia

beautiful Crete

Crete

dog shelter

Kalo Chorio, the closest little village I lived by

never ending summer

ohhhhh, my sweet love puppy.... nearly took him with me!!

Sweet Choco

Cute Goofey

Love is in The Air

Yassas!

Hello hello my dear beautiful friends,

What a summer! I finally got some time to sit down, reflect and write.

My past 2 months were spent at the Sunshine House, my greek home. I don’t want to sound too enthusiastic but I think I have experienced one of the best summers in my entire 29 year life.

These months have been filled with joy, light, love, play, action, sun, heat and some very very special connections. It’s incredible what can happen once you put lots of open hearted, open minded people in one place. Magic. Joy. Creativity. I think this kind of energy can save us all, especially in these mad, paranoid, fear filled times.

I have also been living in a beautiful bubble, far far away from the news, from the masks, from hand sanitizers, fear, paranoia and corona conversations. Instead I watched the moon, I counted shooting stars, dived into warm clear waters, played with my brothers and sisters, laughed like a mad woman, talked about energies, magic, synchronicities, manifestation, feelings, felt warm summer breeze while cycling around, ate a lot of delicious food, meditated, prayed, sang and explored.

Life is so much more than fears. And I know I am in a very lucky position to write about it. I am healthy, strong and happy. And I send a lot of my love to the ones that are ill, sad and weak.

But I also choose not to be living in fear. Every time I have anxieties about the future I repeat my new mantra: I am free, I let go of control, I trust in Universe. Nobody ever knew the future and nobody will ever know. Now we are more than ever experiencing true impermanence of life. No plans can be made. Like one of my friend said 2020 is really about letting go and being in a flow, however hippy it may sound.

Guys, I think it’s time to realise that living here and now is the only way to be happy. Don’t sit in those office chairs that you hate, don’t be in those toxic relationships just because it’s comfortable, don’t pretend to be someone just to be liked, don’t follow mass corporations and people who want to make you blind and deaf consumerist wanting more and more, buying more and more, fearing of old age, wrinkly face or not big enough boobs.

Go, explore, do the things you love, I swear you will never regret. Surround yourself with beautiful people who let you shine and be yourself, who show you love and support. Make space for others to shine too. Take care of this beautiful home-Earth and respect every living creature on this planet. Life is so much more than this crazy paranoia, fear infused shit that’s happening around.

With so much love, more than ever,

Ligita

P.S. photos stole from my sister Anette and others <3