One of my favorite things about living at my family’s homestay is that here, as with most of Bali and much of the world, family units are multigenerational. On the poles of the generations are Ebu and Bella. Ebu (grandma, it’s the only name she ever gives for herself) goes to every ceremony in town (and many out of town) and holds the traditions of the family with a smile on her face. She’s constantly creating new offerings for the next ceremony and always starts the songs amongst the women during rituals. She knows how to perform every ceremony but it’s not a rigid following of tradition that accompanies her but rather a love for her community and spirituality. Bella is the resident four year old. Bright in intelligence and spirit and ranging from fierce to shy depending on the hour and day. In the video she’s teaching me how to count as she counts up how many ice creams she wants. It’s why she’s locked us into the kitchen, to demand payment. Her mother Mina only laughed and told me “we’ve been locked in.” I have never seen a parent in Bali yell at their child and I’ve never seen a kid spanked. For the most part parents seem patient and amused. Occasionally, in ceremony, they’ll give a special look or tone but usually they let children be children. People here know that their families and villages will be with them for the rest of their lives. There is a lot of attention paid to harmony and while people will occasionally clash they tend to come back together again in respect of that harmony. Personally I feel there’s a lot to be learned here about the wisdom that comes from sharing space and the times of youth, adulthood and wisdom. #pathsoftransformation #ameaningfullife #liveyourstory #livingalchemy #livingstory #beyondsurviving #lifemagic #returningtonaturesrhythm #lifeunfiltered #Bali #lifeinbali #expat #balihinduism #offerings #spiritualcommunity #mybalifamily #balifamily #family (at Ubud, Bali, Indonesia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzpjDZFBAMH/?igshid=bbzcp9cer6ro