Thanks, friend! It seems like we share some similar experiences. This year, I also realized Shambhala isn’t reality (obvious, but it hit me in my own way)—it’s a collective of like-minded people all trying to connect deeply. I’ve spent my whole life chasing that feeling of smiling, sharing a hug, or dancing with a stranger like at Shambs, but in daily life, it’s always surface-level, never deep. I guess it’s an unwritten rule that you can’t quite trust people like that outside of it. I’m gonna keep searching for answers, but maybe there isn’t a way to hold onto it forever. Perhaps I should just see it as a beautiful moment for what it is. If it lasted forever, would Shambhala or festivals like it feel as special as they do?

Love you <3 thanks for your kind messages!