Our journey to hope, joy, and dreams coming true
Traveling to Guatemala with my daughter, Threads Worldwide, and Wakami
When I got a text in October from my dear friend (and client) Kara, where she casually asked me if I wanted to go to Guatemala on a Soul Journey with her company, Threads Worldwide, and explore the culture while being guided by a local social-impact-oriented organization called Wakami, my heart skipped a beat and then it sank again…
I so deeply wanted to go, but I felt like I couldn’t financially justify it.
Then, a week later, Kara told me that kids were going and that Angela, the other co-founder of Threads, was bringing her 6-year-old daughter. At that moment, something inside me bloomed, and I just KNEW I had to be there.
I went to KB (my husband) and told him as much. He took one look at me and agreed that we were supposed to go. (We also came up with a fun winter activity for our son so that he would have something exciting to look forward to as well.)
On January 5th, the plane took off, and we were on our way on a Soul Journey with 24 other women and girls to Guatemala!
About Threads Worldwide - Building a Brighter World Together
Threads invite women in the US to run their own social impact businesses showcasing fair trade jewelry.
They source their jewelry from women around the world, bringing their artisanal skills to an abundant marketplace here in the US.
As if that wasn’t enough, they also host fundraisers for marginalized groups of women and girls, plus organize these kinds of impactful Soul Journeys that we went on.
They operate their organization as an ‘Elevation Ecosystem’ where all people that are part of it get to thrive together - and these “family values.”
1. Together we Rise
We choose collaboration over competition.
2. Honor
We practice radical self-care. We honor ourselves to honor the world.
Global transformation begins with inner transformation.
3. Right Now
The time for action is now.
We begin where we are and trust that our path will appear.
4. Elevate
We champion equal partnerships where all are elevated.
Our value is immeasurable and infinite.
5. Abundant Joy & Wonder
We lead with curiosity and passion, inviting joy and deep, deep belly laughs.
6. Dare to See New Possibilities
We challenge the status quo to build a brighter world that works for everyone.
7. Safe and Nurturing Communities
We gather to be connected, inspired, and known.
We celebrate courage and authenticity over perfection.
SUPPORT THE MISSION AND GET GORGEOUS JEWELRY HERE
About Wakami - Dreamin’ For Change
Threads arrange these trips with a Guatemalan organization called Wakami Global. Their artisanal jewelry and products are bringing life to rural communities in Guatemala and inspiring the citizens of the World.
Wakami was born by recognizing that Guatemala is a country where dreams are big, but opportunities are few. It all started when they reached communities and asked: What do you need? and the answer was, “What we need is a source of income”.
These words triggered endless questions, plans, and projects that led them to create their formula for change.
DREAMS + OPPORTUNITIES = CHANGE
Wakami’s Impact to Date
+2,000 empowered women to date
4 sustainable value chains, with the purpose of improving people’s lives and taking care of the Earth.
Have created market access for 300 rural businesses.
60% of Wakami children have improved their nutritional status
44% of Wakami women have invested in improving their houses
Wakami children have 75% more school enrollment than the national average
How to cultivate a life filled with magic?
There are few things in life that are as rewarding as those experiences that make us feel hopeful, more of our true self, see and believe in the goodness of humanity, and experience the possibilities of healing.
Our trip to Guatemala was one of those experiences.
It’s hard to say what the exact ingredients of this transformation are, but for the sake of a) desiring more of them myself and b) opening the doorway for you to have them, too, I will try my very best.
Internal ingredients
Ingredient number 1:
Knowing in my heart and soul that I am not content with the status quo in the world or in my own life. And knowing dang well that the only possible way that I will make a difference in the world is by starting inside myself.
Ingredient number 2:
Telling the truth about what’s not working for me: trying to control my way to my desired life. And actively surrendering to the flow of life and love and staying slow enough to be in the present moment, and choosing the most loving choice available to me.
Ingredient number 3:
Opening up to trusting the flow of life, actively choosing to put myself outside of my comfort zone, and in new experiences that have the capacity to show me what’s possible that I can’t conceive of on my own.
External ingredients
Ingredient number 1: Surround yourself with people who inspire you!
After two years of being mostly cocooned in my little family and in New Hampshire, it was so invigorating to all of a sudden be surrounded by INCREDIBLE American and Guatemalan women, teenagers, and children, and the Guatemalan people themselves. The mere interaction with these people ignited my soul and made me see new possibilities for our global community and me.
Ingredient number 2: Explore something created on purpose with LOVE.
One thing that was palpable on this whole trip was the potency of creative people creating art, experiences, jewelry, textiles, chocolate, coffee, and food from a place of tradition and culture while also bringing their unique gifts and talents to the table. The energetic frequency of all of these things was exquisite and highly pleasurable to engage with. (Come to think of it, it felt like I didn’t engage with hardly any inflated egos the entire duration of the stay!)
Ingredient number 3: Dream, then take action.
After trekking into the often painful wilderness of my healing journey for the past few years, it felt so freaking good to be reminded of the power of dreaming from a place of a shared vision for a more equitable and loving earth. During our dream circle created by Wakami, my whole being melted into the field of possibility when listening to the hopes and dreams of 15 other women and girls. Then, we went and dug in the dirt, and it felt so yummy first to dream and then go and take action in such a tangible way. (I work a lot on my computer, and this experience inspired me to make sure I take the time to be in the world outside of that as well.)
Fun Trip Facts:
Special shout out to my soul sister Kimothy Joy (pictured above with Z) - who was an inspiration, support, and vulnerable travel partner. OOOH! Check out her uh-mazing art and books here.
We got to plant sunflower seeds in a big field together, and I loved getting down and dirty with mama Gaia.
A few of the women and me and Z went to Fridas - A restaurant dedicated to Frida Kahlo, where we did an EPIC Mescal tasting (thank you, Molly!). The oldest Mescal we tasted was 16 YEARS old.
On day 4, we spent time with the Wakami women learning to make our own bracelets. Blanca was VERY patient with me learning to tie the special knots.
We stayed at Casa Santa Domingo in Antigua Guatemala. Nothing could have prepared me for the epicness of this hotel. They have SIX permanent museums inside the walls of this once convent-turned-hotel and two art galleries. The food and SPA were simply divine, and I would gladly spend a month there without leaving.
On the boat ride on Lake Atitlán, we learned that French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry who wrote The Little Prince, allegedly got his inspiration for the book while being in Guatemala. Some say that asteroid B612 in The Little Prince is based on La Antigua. One legend continues that Saint-Exupéry came to Lake Atitlán, where he saw Cerro de Oro: the “hill of gold” became the model for “the boa constrictor digesting an elephant” on the first page.
When we arrived in San Juan la Laguna (after the boat) we were met by the 19-year-old activist and uber-gifted artist Joselyn Cholotio. After guiding us around her city, teeming with art, textiles, cacao (xocolatl), coffee, food, and artisanal goods, we were invited to eat lunch at her grandmother’s house. I will never forget seeing my daughter’s face as we explored her house with dirt floors and chickens running around.
I loved learning about the possibilities that lie within Regenerative Agriculture to combat the devastating effects of climate change. It feels good to have hope and see what is possible when we link up and remember that we all belong together and have true power - TOGETHER.
Breathe in Guatemala
Thank you, humans of Threads Worldwide and Wakami – I am forever changed by this trip and the exquisite, safe AND vibrant container and experiences you crafted for us in Guatemala. I will cherish these memories my whole life, and I will do my part in being Love in action.
And to you, wonderful person reading this: Let the colors and beauty of Guatemala move you, and let inspiration wash over you and dare to DREAM (big or small.)
What is one thing your soul yearns to experience or explore this year? What adventure lies in store for you?
Let me know what you come up with in the comments!
Much love 💜
Karna
P.S. Want to come on a trip like this with me? Email me back, and I’ll fill you in on the deets.
Thanks Susannah!! I’m glad you feel inspired. 🔥⭐️😍
WOW, my love those images and your story writing are epic. I have only seen some of them and together they tell one heck of a story. I am so glad that you and Zoë got to take this life-changing adventure together!