BY NANCY STOOPS
Nancy Stoops M.A., M.F.T Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Every year I go on a spiritual journey. As a psychotherapist I give all of me, and this is my way of filling my mind, body and spirit back up. This year, I decided to go to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands and I’m so very glad I did. I must start by telling you how wonderful and warm the people of Ecuador are. My guide, Chris, couldn’t do enough for me. She was fabulous and I know someday I will see her again.
I was fascinated when I was taken to the middle of the earth, which is about an hour out of Quito. I stood with one foot in the north equator and one foot in the south equator, and heard a wonderful talk when I was there. I was then taken to the community of Otavalo, where many Shamans and Curanderos live. I received a cleansing and a blessing from this wonderful woman that has worked as a Curandero for years. She and her husband are pretty well known for their work.
I also had the opportunity to take a yacht to the Galapagos Islands. There were six other passengers besides myself. How do I begin to describe all that I saw? I was on this yacht for almost a week and each day we would travel to a new island for hiking and snorkeling. I have never seen so many sea lions in my life. I was fascinated by them and got as close as I could without touching them (it is against the law to touch the wildlife or to take anything out of the Galapagos Islands).
During the next few weeks I will continue writing about my journey. One thing I can say with certainty: everyone should go visit these spectacular Islands and be forever changed!
This article was written by Nancy stoops, M.A., M.F.T. Nancy is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a private practice in Diamond Bar, and is currently accepting new clients. Nancy also runs free family support groups, anger management groups, and special groups for seniors and teens. She is also available for motivational speaking engagements. For more information on any of these services, contact Nancy at (909)229-0727.
