Last summer from 12th to 20th of July 2021, five members of Piedzīvojuma Gars participated in a life-changing journey also known as youth exchange “Next Step!”.
The aim of the project was to rediscover two elements – nature and movement – to create a space where people can create, play, learn and inspire each other. In our countryside home Rites, for 9 days together with other participants from Estonia, Greece, Italy and Poland they had a chance to cooperate, create a community together, share their life experiences and help each other to find their next challenge in life - their own next step. After the end of the youth exchange, Latvian participants also organised a night hike to share some of the values they learnt during the project with other people. But enough of us talking, let the participants speak for themselves about the whole experience:
Elza:
All I expected from Next Step! the youth exchange was inspiration and courage for the next scary, yet exciting chapter in my life, but in the end, I got so much more out of it.
It was an opportunity to be in my element - hike through the wilderness, climb trees, sleep under the stars, walk barefoot, but at the same time to challenge myself by creating meaningful connections and opening up in front of others through tears and laughter.
The sense of community we created in only a week was unbelievable - each and every one of us had something to give to others and something to learn from others. We grew stronger together and individually.
Oh, and it is worth mentioning Rites as well - it is a place so magical that even washing the dishes can become an adventure.
Next Step! was definitely the highlight of my summer, and the feeling of infinite freedom I experienced there still lives within me.
Marats:
What’s a word that rhymes with Rites? There are no words, really. Just like this experience - it was immeasurable and can’t really be put in words!
It was really eye-opening to see the most amazing synergy and inclusivity among participants, I haven’t seen in ages! We all were working hand in hand - no one was left behind. Everyone was included and supported on their road to defining the Next Steps in their own life.
The most memorable moment was when we were all dancing in the rain like there was no tomorrow! It gave a real sense of freedom and the will to do anything that we want.
I am still carrying all of these ideas in my everyday life to this day - the idea of being free in the choice of taking the Next Steps and sometimes not knowing where they will lead.
“You don't have to take all the steps, just the next one!” - that’s the quote that sits very close to my heart to this day.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in creating this experience - the participants, facilitators, PG :)
Sintija:
Such freedom and being in the moment, here & now. Seeing and feeling a thunderstorm and standing in the middle of the field, waiting desperately for a thunderstorm. Dancing in the rain like never before. And at that moment, it didn't even matter that everything was damp and wet. Going hiking, wading through the swamps, and oh, the pain of nettles and abrasions! But it didn't matter, because I didn't come there already to be afraid. Loving and smiling even when it hurts (even physically, "survivors" will understand). Getting to know me better and being aware of my NEXT STEPS.
"'Cause I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out"
/Florence and the Machine/
Marta:
As I walk slowly toward the unknown task of the day, I do it in the most mindful way: I examine every step of mine, the pendulum movement of my shin, the feet meets the ground and how it feels stepping on the soil, moss, wooden sticks and the green grass. I realise that the most important thing is not what to do and how to do it, it is just realising that I can do it. Honestly, I can do whatever I set my mind to do.
I remember the signing, the screaming from our guts. Aligning our voices, aligning our tempo to the rhythm of the drum. I never saw and felt so much freedom at the same time from me and others around me. The fire made it even more ritualistic. All that was initiated by a pure willingness to play, forgetting the possibility of any judgment. Purity and release.
And where does your NEXT STEP lead? ;)
The aim of the project was to rediscover two elements – nature and movement – to create a space where people can create, play, learn and inspire each other. In our countryside home Rites, for 9 days together with other participants from Estonia, Greece, Italy and Poland they had a chance to cooperate, create a community together, share their life experiences and help each other to find their next challenge in life - their own next step. After the end of the youth exchange, Latvian participants also organised a night hike to share some of the values they learnt during the project with other people. But enough of us talking, let the participants speak for themselves about the whole experience:
Elza:
All I expected from Next Step! the youth exchange was inspiration and courage for the next scary, yet exciting chapter in my life, but in the end, I got so much more out of it.
It was an opportunity to be in my element - hike through the wilderness, climb trees, sleep under the stars, walk barefoot, but at the same time to challenge myself by creating meaningful connections and opening up in front of others through tears and laughter.
The sense of community we created in only a week was unbelievable - each and every one of us had something to give to others and something to learn from others. We grew stronger together and individually.
Oh, and it is worth mentioning Rites as well - it is a place so magical that even washing the dishes can become an adventure.
Next Step! was definitely the highlight of my summer, and the feeling of infinite freedom I experienced there still lives within me.
Marats:
What’s a word that rhymes with Rites? There are no words, really. Just like this experience - it was immeasurable and can’t really be put in words!
It was really eye-opening to see the most amazing synergy and inclusivity among participants, I haven’t seen in ages! We all were working hand in hand - no one was left behind. Everyone was included and supported on their road to defining the Next Steps in their own life.
The most memorable moment was when we were all dancing in the rain like there was no tomorrow! It gave a real sense of freedom and the will to do anything that we want.
I am still carrying all of these ideas in my everyday life to this day - the idea of being free in the choice of taking the Next Steps and sometimes not knowing where they will lead.
“You don't have to take all the steps, just the next one!” - that’s the quote that sits very close to my heart to this day.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in creating this experience - the participants, facilitators, PG :)
Sintija:
Such freedom and being in the moment, here & now. Seeing and feeling a thunderstorm and standing in the middle of the field, waiting desperately for a thunderstorm. Dancing in the rain like never before. And at that moment, it didn't even matter that everything was damp and wet. Going hiking, wading through the swamps, and oh, the pain of nettles and abrasions! But it didn't matter, because I didn't come there already to be afraid. Loving and smiling even when it hurts (even physically, "survivors" will understand). Getting to know me better and being aware of my NEXT STEPS.
"'Cause I am done with my graceless heart
So tonight I'm gonna cut it out and then restart
'Cause I like to keep my issues strong
It's always darkest before the dawn
Shake it out, shake it out"
/Florence and the Machine/
Marta:
As I walk slowly toward the unknown task of the day, I do it in the most mindful way: I examine every step of mine, the pendulum movement of my shin, the feet meets the ground and how it feels stepping on the soil, moss, wooden sticks and the green grass. I realise that the most important thing is not what to do and how to do it, it is just realising that I can do it. Honestly, I can do whatever I set my mind to do.
I remember the signing, the screaming from our guts. Aligning our voices, aligning our tempo to the rhythm of the drum. I never saw and felt so much freedom at the same time from me and others around me. The fire made it even more ritualistic. All that was initiated by a pure willingness to play, forgetting the possibility of any judgment. Purity and release.
And where does your NEXT STEP lead? ;)
