Tribute to the Tribe of Shiny Diamonds
Written by Pavla Borg
Why do I host these meetups?
The honest answer is that life can be a lot.
We all carry things that others may know nothing about and many of us spend our days fulfilling roles, meeting expectations and trying to hold everything together.
Sometimes we simply need a place where none of that matters, a place where we can arrive exactly as we are.
That is what these gatherings have become for me.
When we meet, job titles and social roles quickly become irrelevant. Some people arrive with friends, while others come alone and don’t know anyone. Some are excited to get into the cold. Others are quietly wondering why didn’t they stay in bed.
Yet before long, we are standing together in nature, breathing, talking, laughing and preparing to face the same challenge.
The cold has a wonderful way of bringing us into the present moment. It doesn’t care what we do for a living, how confident we appear or what kind of week we have had.
When we approach the water, we meet ourselves very honestly.
I have watched people hesitate at the edge, take a breath and then find the courage to step in.
I have seen complete strangers offer a hand, a reassuring word or simply stay close while someone works through their fear.
There is no competition and nobody needs to prove anything. Each person meets the experience in their own way, with the rest of us there beside them.
That shared challenge creates a connection that can be difficult to explain unless you have experienced it.
We may arrive as strangers, but we rarely leave feeling that way.
Sometimes there is a great deal of laughter. Sometimes there are tears.
Often there is a visible change in people after they come out of the water: their faces soften, their eyes brighten and they seem more fully present.
Perhaps they have surprised themselves. Perhaps, for a few moments, they have put down whatever they were carrying.
For me, this has never been only about getting into cold water. It is about remembering what can happen when people gather without pretence. We breathe together, encourage one another and share something real without needing to numb, escape or perform.
We meet once a month, although life does not always make it easy to come. People have families, responsibilities, difficult seasons and plans that change. There is never any pressure to attend every gathering.
Whether you have joined us once or have returned month after month, you are part of the story of this community.
Every person brings something different. Some bring humour and energy,
others bring gentleness,quiet courage or the ability to notice when someone needs support.
Together, these qualities have created a community unlike any other I know.
This is why I call you the Tribe of Shiny Diamonds.
The name isn’t about being polished or perfect.
A diamond can catch the light because of its many different sides and I think people are much the same.
We all arrive with our own experiences, strengths, uncertainties and imperfections.
When we meet one another with kindness, we help each other’s light become a little easier to see.
So this is my tribute to all of you who have shown up, whether you arrived trembling with nerves, smiling with excitement or feeling unsure of what to expect.
Thank you for trusting me, for supporting one another and for bringing your full humanity to these gatherings. Thank you for every encouraging word, every helping hand and every moment of laughter. Your courage, kindness and presence are what keep this community alive.
You remind me why I continue to do this and you remind one another of something we all need to feel:
We belong.
We are the Tribe of Shiny Diamonds and if you feel drawn to join us, there will always be a place in the circle for you.
“Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit;
the sun does not shine on itself and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves.
Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to heal each other.
No matter how difficult it is…
Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”
Pope Francis
If your heart feels called… You are already part of it.
